Further measures

In addition to active physiotherapy for the knee, there are further measures to passively treat the knee in a supportive manner. Manual therapy can be used to relieve, expand movement and distribute the synovial fluid. A pleasant relief can be achieved especially through traction – the joint partners are moved away from each other by gentle pulling to create space and relief passively.

Alternating traction and compression support the production of the important synovial fluid, while additional movement distributes it in the knee joint. Massages can loosen up surrounding tense muscles, as well as electrotherapy and heat applications such as the hot roll. In case of swelling due to inflammation in the knee, a cooling ice application is appropriate, which the patient can also use at home.

If arthrosis is too advanced, partial or complete replacement of the joint can be achieved by means of surgery – the endoprosthesis of the knee. Torn ligaments can be reattached by minimally invasive procedures, i.e. very small operations, or replaced by other tendons in the body. In general, it is recommended to avoid overweight, follow a healthy lifestyle, get enough exercise and do sports that are easy on the joints. Cycling without too much strain, swimming and walking are recommended to almost every patient – whether with a healthy or diseased knee.

Knee joint stability

The active stability is guaranteed by the surrounding musculature. Depending on the course and location of the muscles, they have different functions on the knee and its movement: Movement is either limited by bony shapes and passive structures or muscle and soft tissue inhibition. If a movement is performed too quickly, too often and too far, the structures may be injured.

Muscles and ligaments can overstretch, pull, tear, menisci and joint capsules can tear, bursae can become inflamed. If there is overloading such as caused by an X or O adjustment or simple overweight, excessive sports stress (especially fast start-stop movements, jumps or excessive flexion under a lot of weight), imbalance in muscle strength or a changed joint load due to previous injuries to other structures, the joint cartilage may be injured (arthrosis) and even fatigue fracture may occur. The problem with articular cartilage is that it is not supplied with blood.

The only way to feed it is through the synovial fluid (synovial fluid). This is produced and distributed through movement. It is therefore important to keep the knee/joint moving regularly without much stress.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is referred to as gonarthrosis in medical terminology. It is one of the most frequently occurring forms of arthritis in the body. Muscles must also be trained evenly in order to withstand the stresses and strains of everyday life and, in particular, sport. On the other hand, relief and regeneration times must also be taken into account in order to prevent overloading. Pain should never be ignored, but should be seen as the body’s own alarm signal, which protects the body and indicates that something is not working as it should.This article might also be of interest to you:

The front thigh muscles stretch the knee, the rear thigh muscles bend the knee and make slight twisting movements.
The calf muscles that pull over the knee joint also have a bending effect.

ITBS – Iliotibial Band Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
Therapy of a fatigue fracture