Basic information on diseases of the knees for patients in our osteopathic practice
Baker’s cyst
Baker’s cysts are fluid-filled cysts that are noticeable by a bulging in the back of the knee and an associated feeling of tightness secondary to an intracapsular knee joint injury.
A Baker’s cyst develops from excess joint fluid accumulating in the back of the knee secondary to knee osteoarthritis or meniscus injury.
Symptoms consist of noticeable swelling in the back of the knee and pain during end-range bending of the knee.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or Baker’s cyst, please feel free to call us.
Chondromalacia patellae
Chondromalacia patellae consists of painful irritation of the knee cap due to softening of the knee caps cartilage. This condition is particularly common in young and athletic populations. Sports that involve a lot of jumping and abrupt stops in movement favour the development of this condition.
Often causative is a biomechanical impairment of the hip or foot leading to malalignment of the knee and subsequent overloading of the sensitive joint surfaces (e.g. a knock-kneed position). Women are more often affected by chondropathia patellae because of their wide pelvis, which changes the postion of the kneecap.
In addition to pain around the kneecap, many patients experience a feeling of tightness around the knee joint.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or chondromalacia patellae, please feel free to call us.
Plica syndrome
Plica syndrome witnesses a painful irritation of synovial tissue behind the knee cap presenting wih knee joint pain. Plica syndrome most commonly develops from microtrauma secondary to overuse especially during poor knee biomechanics or direct trauma. If the plica is consistently irritated, hardening and thickening of the plica can occur thereby leading to symptoms of knee instability, clicking sounds, locking and/or giving way. Pain is most often present during bending, especially under load.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or plica syndrome, please feel free to call us.
Knee arthritis
Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common diseases of the knee resulting from degenerative change of the knee’s joint surfaces leading to eventual pain and inflammation.
A distinction is made between primary and secondary knee arthritis. Primary knee arthritis develops due to wear and tear of the cartilage in the knee joint for no known reason. The frequency increases with age. Secondary knee arthritis has a specific cause, most commonly post-traumatic, post-operative, or due to inflammatory polyarthrosis.
Usually the symptoms start insidiously and worsen over time. Common symptoms include pain in the knee joint and a feeling of stiffness after getting up or sitting for extended periods. Overall mobility is limited. If the tissue around the knee joint is inflamed, swelling may also occur.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or plica syndrome, please feel free to call us.
Patellar tendinitis (Jumper’s knee)
Patellar tendinitis is an injury to the tendon that connects the knee cap to the shinbone. It usually affects athletes who jump a lot (e.g. basketball players and volleyball players), but non-athletes can also develop patellar tendinitis.
Patellar tendinitis is usually triggered by overuse of the quadruped patella (knee cap) complex. This condition witnesses the development of tiny tears in the tendon thereby leading to pain and continuous weakening of the tendon especially under loads such as jumping and running.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or patella tendinitis, please feel free to call us.
Bursitis of the knee
Bursa are fluid filled sacs that generally lie in areas of high frictional stress, most typically between bones and tendons. Bursitis is often very acute and painful thereby significantly limiting movement of the affected joint.
Bursitis in the knee can occur in a number of places, but it is most common at the kneecap or just below the joint.
Knee bursitis is most often triggered by heavy continued pressure over the kneecap, such as kneeling on hard surfaces for extended periods of time. Direct trauma such as hit to a bursa can also lead to bursitis.
The most common symptoms of bursitis include local tenderness, warmth, redness and swelling. Pain can be felt both during movement and at rest.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or bursitis of the knee, please feel free to call us.
Meniscus tear
In each knee there are two C-shaped cartilages that act like as shock absorbers for the knee and increase the congruency between the shin bone and the thigh bone at their joint. Due to the rotational demands of the lower limb especially at the knee joint, these 2 structures are prone to tear or injury, thereby leading to one of the most common knee injuries witnessed.
Rotational movements under load are the most problematic for the meniscus, therefore leading to this condition being regularly seen in young athletes participating in contact sports. Meniscus injury is also commonly seen in those above 50 years, secondary to degenerative meniscus change.
A meniscus tear is usually very painful. The pain is particularly severe when the leg is twisted or bent during examination. Usually, the leg cannot be fully extended and almost all cases swelling is present. With larger tears, parts of the meniscus can detach and then block the knee, thereby necessitating surgery.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or meniscus tear, please feel free to call us.
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee and is essential for the stability of this joint. The ACL is prone to rupture during contact sports resulting from a traumatic hyperextension injury, leading to pain, swelling and instability.
During the event of injury, most patients report hearing a click during the tearing of the ligament and sudden inability to weight bear. Swelling and pain ensues immediately. In some cases, the ACL is not completely ruptured, thereby preventing any operative procedures.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or ACL injury, please feel free to call us.
Posterior cruciate ligament
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) connects the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee and is essential for stability of this joint. In comparison to ACL’s, PCL’s are significantly less often injured. PCL’s are generally injured traumatically following a hard blow to the tibia just below the knee during contact sports.
Symptoms are generally milder than an ACL, however pain, swelling and instability can last for several weeks.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or PCL injury, please feel free to call us.
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease
Osgood-Schlatter’s disease occurs in athletic young children resulting from overuse. The pathogenesis results from overuse of an incomplete ossified growth plate on the upper front shin bone during the adolescent growth phase. The thigh muscles attach via the patella tendon onto this growth plate and due to excessive tensile loading of this structure from excessive running or jumping, localised knee pain and swelling just below the kneecap can develop. In most cases one knee is affected. In some children, new parts of the bone form, which can be seen as a hard bulge on the surface of the upper shin. Symptoms generally persist for several weeks or months until a growth spurt is complete.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or Osgood-Schlatters disease, please feel free to call us.
Runner’s knee (Iliotibial band syndrome)
So-called runner’s knee is a painful condition of the outer knee that generally occurs in athletic populations. It is caused by pressure exerted on irritated tissue in the knee by the ilio-tibial band, which runs along the outside of the thigh.
The cause is usually biomechanical from impairments in either the foot of hip leading to misalignment of the leg axis.
The most common symptom is pain on the outside of the knee, usually directly after training or at a specific, recurring point during training. The pain increases over time and can become so severe that running must be ceased.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or runner’s knee, please feel free to call us.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
An injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is one of the most common knee injuries during contact sports. This strong ligament runs along the inside of the knee from the end of the femur to the top of the tibia.
The most common cause of injury results from strong blow or kick to the knee during contact sports or a valgus injury of the knee, whereby the leg is fallen on from the side.
MCL’S are very painful. With mild sprains of this ligament, it is sometimes possible to continue moving under duress. However with more severe sprains and ruptures, an audible “pop” can be heard with immediate pain, swelling and joint restriction.
This information has been provided to you as a general source of background information only, as in accordance with german law as Heilpraktikers, we are forbidden to list conditions or diseases we potentially treat, as this is considered a promise of cure. If you would like to know whether osteopathy is an option for knee pain or MCL injury, please feel free to call us.