Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Injuries: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment The meniscus rests between the tibia (shin bone) and femur (thigh bone). Each knee joint has two meniscus’ that act as a cushion for the knee in addition to helping with stability and movement of the knee. The articular cartilage is the smooth surface at the end of a bone that allows for movement to occur within the joint. Trauma to either the meniscus or the articular cartilage can disrupt the natural movement and function of the knee joint. Interestingly enough, there can be defects within the meniscus and the articu ..read more

Knee Pain:  Strengthen Kinetic Chain To Reduce Knee Injuries Almost everyone has experienced some type of knee pain, whether it’s caused by a sudden injury to the knee joint or due to repetitive stresses to the structures around the knee. When knee aggravation is present, it can significantly impact one’s ability to participate in daily activities and sport. It is one of the most common reasons that people seek medical care. Knee pain can result from a myriad of structures around or inside the knee, and the key to its treatment is determining the source and the reason for the pain. Sudd ..read more

Whether you are a high school athlete, pickup basketball star, or weekend warrior on the slopes – an ACL rupture can be a devastating and often daunting injury. Regardless if you choose to manage conservatively with rehab alone or with surgical reconstruction, it is crucial to undergo a high quality rehabilitation program with a physical therapist – and maybe even sooner and for longer than you thought! This blog post will share information on what constitutes a “high quality rehab program” and help set expectations for how long you should be seeing your physical therapist in order to safely r ..read more

Do you ever experience locking, popping, tension headaches, or tightness in your jaw when chewing, yawning, or opening the mouth wide? If you said yes, this could likely be a symptom of temporomandibular disorder or TMD.   The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of the jaw acts like a sliding hinge, connecting your jawbone to your skull. You have one joint on each side of your jaw. TMD can cause various levels of pain in your jaw joint and in the muscles that control jaw movement.   The specific causes of a person’s TMJ disorder can vary, and it is sometimes difficult to determine the root ..read more

The Role of PT Our physical therapists will evaluate and determine the cause of knee osteoarthritis, and they’ll help devise a customized plan for your patient that may include any one or a combination of therapies including manual therapy, ultrasound, and exercises that will help reduce pain and swelling and increase flexibility, strength, balance and endurance. Ultimately, our goal is to help make daily tasks and activities easier so we keep your patient moving with less pain. We’ll teach your patient ways to put less stress on the knee, decrease swelling by using heat or cold, and we’ll inc ..read more

Exercises To Help Relieve Plantar Fasciitis Do you experience a stabbing pain in your heel that occurs when you take your first step in the morning? This pain could very likely be caused by plantar fasciitis.   Plantar fasciitis affects nearly 2 million Americans each year and it is the most common condition of the foot in runners.   Plantar fasciitis can be defined as inflammation of the plantar fascia and surrounding fascial tissue. This inflammation occurs when there is repetitive microtrauma from excessive traction and or loading forces. Typically, the nagging pain experienced in ..read more

If you are a runner, regardless of whether you run on a treadmill, track, or trail, you most likely have wondered about your running form and what you can do to improve your performance. A run analysis with a physical therapist can give you helpful insight into your running gait and how you can optimize your running performance. Though a run analysis looks at several aspects of your running gait, there are three factors that are particularly important in improving your running form: 1. Cadence Cadence refers to the number of steps you take per minute. Most people, when having their run analyze ..read more

Locking, grinding, limping, pain, discomfort when walking up the stairs, and being unable to stand or sit for long periods. Do these common symptoms of arthritis in the hip sound or feel familiar? If you said yes, education around hip arthritis can be helpful while on the road to recovery. The hip is a ball-and-socket joint. The “ball” is considered the top of your thigh bone, which sits in the “socket” formed by part of the pelvic bone. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that covers the surface of the bone and helps protect and cushion the joint to decrease friction and incre ..read more

Millions of people across the country struggle with the pain and discomfort from arthritis. While many consider this condition something that exclusively older individuals deal with, even those in their thirties have the potential to develop these painful symptoms. Characterized by stiff joints and inflammation, arthritis can make even the most mundane tasks a grueling chore to complete. Fortunately, participating in regular physical therapy can help alleviate these sensations. These are the three best ways physical therapy can help your arthritis. Teaches Exercises to Manage Pain and Improve ..read more

When your child sustains an injury as the result of an accident or sport, recovery can be difficult, depending on the severity of the trauma. While younger kids can bounce back from these events, it sometimes takes the aid of a professional to ensure they regain full mobility. Contrary to popular belief, physical therapy is for more than just adults needing assistance. Here’s how physical therapy helps your child recover after injury. Teaches Exercises To Reduce Pain One of the first benefits that physical therapy can provide your child is pain management. For particularly painful injuries, li ..read more