Knee Pain: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It
Knee pain is more than just an inconvenience—it can affect your ability to move, work, and enjoy life. At Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy, we help active adults and athletes overcome knee pain with personalized, whole-body care that gets results.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Here are some of the most frequent reasons people walk through our doors with knee discomfort:
1. Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Aging or overuse can wear down cartilage in the knee joint, causing stiffness, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
2. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Also called “runner’s knee,” this condition is common in people who overtrain or have muscle imbalances. Pain is typically felt around or behind the kneecap.
3. ACL or MCL Injuries
Tears in the knee’s major ligaments often result from sports injuries. These can cause swelling, instability, and intense pain.
4. Meniscus Tears
Caused by twisting the knee under pressure, meniscus tears can limit motion and cause a locking sensation in the joint.
5. Tendonitis
Jumpers and athletes often experience inflammation of the patellar tendon, resulting in sharp pain when squatting or jumping.
Key Symptoms of Knee Pain
If you’re noticing any of the following symptoms, it might be time to get help:
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Swelling or stiffness
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Clicking or grinding sounds
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Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
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Pain during walking, stairs, or sitting for long periods
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Weakness or instability
Proven Treatment Options at Fit 4 Life PT
At Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy, our approach goes beyond temporary relief—we get to the root cause of your pain and create a custom plan to help you move better and feel better.
But before we begin treatment, we take the time to thoroughly evaluate your knee using evidence-based techniques and movement assessments. Many people believe they need imaging or a doctor’s referral before starting PT, but that’s not always necessary.
Expert Evaluations Without the Wait
Our physical therapists use a variety of special tests during your evaluation to pinpoint the source of your knee pain, including:
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Strength Testing – We assess the strength of key muscle groups around the knee and hip to identify weaknesses or imbalances.
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Flexibility and Range of Motion – Tight or restricted tissues can pull on the knee joint and cause discomfort.
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Girth Measurements – Swelling, inflammation, or muscle atrophy are measured to track progress and identify chronic issues.
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Orthopedic Special Tests – We perform precise manual tests that help identify conditions like:
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Meniscus tears
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Ligament injuries (ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL)
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Patellar tracking issues
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Tendinopathies
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These non-invasive, movement-based evaluations allow us to accurately determine what’s going on—often without the need for expensive imaging or unnecessary delays.
Free Resource: Healthy Knees Presentation with Raven Anspach
Want to dive deeper into understanding and protecting your knees? Don’t miss this free presentation by Raven Anspach, PT and knee health expert at Fit 4 Life PT.
You’ll learn:
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How to keep your knees healthy for life
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Movements and habits to avoid
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Real solutions for chronic knee pain
BONUS: Get Our Healthy Knees PDF Guide FREE
Raven has also put together a downloadable Healthy Knees Guide filled with easy tips, exercises, and advice to help you take charge of your knee health.
➡️ Want a copy? Just comment “KNEE” below or reach out, and we’ll send it straight to your inbox.
Don’t Let Knee Pain Control Your Life
If you’re tired of living with knee discomfort or stiffness, we’re here to help. Call us at 440.340.3717 or visit our website to schedule your evaluation.
At Fit 4 Life Physical Therapy, your story matters—and we want to help you live it, pain-free.
