Examination of cartilage damage to the knee
During compression (pressure) on the joint surfaces between the kneecap and the femur, pain occurs in certain joint positions between flexion and extension of the knee joint. If the patella is mobilized at the same time (the examiner moves the patella up, down and sideways under pressure), roughness may be noticeable, crepitation noises (crunching) and sliding disturbances may occur.
Treatment of cartilage damage
Treatment under physiotherapeutic aspects of cartilage damage is carried out with dosed compression (not with traction and relief, promotes degeneration and atrophy) within the techniques of manual therapy has positive effects on the pain behaviour and regeneration of the patellar cartilage tissue. Adapted compression improves the metabolic processes of the cartilage tissue and, due to its load stimulus, corresponds to the functional everyday movements of the patient, which has a positive effect on the cartilage damage to the knee. Only through adequate load stimuli such as compression and muscle training can functional improvement and pain relief be achieved in the long term.
Oscillation on the kneecap: If painful arthrosis is already present, compression treatment begins with light oscillation techniques. The therapist applies short, preferably painless pressure and relief stimuli to the patella. If pain relief has already occurred after a few treatments, the pressure on the patella can be increased during oscillation and the compression treatment can be combined with mobilization.
Frequency: 3-5 seriesTreatment Repetition rate: 10-15/series Between series, an active pause in movement should be made on the bicycle ergometer. Compression and mobilization combination: Under tolerable compression, the patella is moved up/down or sideways. The pressure is increased until the known pain occurs.
The kneecap slides back without pressure. The choice of techniques and the duration of the technique per treatment depends on the individual pain behaviour. Contraindications for compression treatment are severe arthrosis and injuries to individual cartilage areas that could tear loose under compression (joint mouse).
Effect: In case of decreasing pain, treatment of muscular imbalances and leg axis training should be started.
- Painless joint function after approx. 4-6 weeks
- Decrease in stress pain
- Increase of the resilience
