Your knee joint is a strong yet complex hinge that allows you to bend, straighten, walk, run, jump, and move freely. It’s made up of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap) all working together with ligaments, muscles, tendons, and cartilage to provide support and stability for every step you take.
When your knee is healthy, movement is smooth and effortless. But when pain or injury strikes, even simple activities like walking or climbing stairs can feel difficult. Schedule a consultation today with one of our expert sports medicine physicians at Hughes Health and take your first step toward relief!
About the Knee
Power Behind Every Step
Your knee is one of the most hardworking joints in your body. It allows you to walk, run, jump, and bend, making it essential for everyday movement. But because it bears so much weight and absorbs impact with every step, it’s also one of the most prone to injury and wear over time.
Think of your knee as a hinge. It lets your leg bend and straighten, but unlike the elbow, it doesn’t rotate much. This limited movement helps provide stability and strength, but it also makes your knee more susceptible to injury from sudden twists, impacts, or wear and tear.
Key Bones That Form the Joint:
1) Femur (Thigh Bone) – The upper bone of the knee joint, supporting most of your body’s weight.
2) Tibia (Shin Bone) – The lower bone, which absorbs shock and keeps you balanced.
3) Patella (Kneecap) – A small bone in front of the knee that protects and stabilizes the joint.
Supporting Structures That Keep Your Knee Moving:
1) Ligaments – Hold the joint together for stability
2) Muscles & Tendons – Power movement and control force
3) Cartilage – Cushions the joint for smooth, pain-free motion
A healthy knee allows you to move freely, without pain or restriction. But when the cartilage wears down, ligaments tear, or inflammation sets in, even simple movements can become painful. At Hughes Health, we pinpoint the root cause of knee pain and create a customized treatment plan to restore function and keep you moving.
Common Causes of Knee Pain
Understanding Why It Happens
If you’re experiencing knee pain, you’re not alone. When pain strikes your knee, it can be frustrating and difficult to pinpoint the cause on your own. That’s why getting expert guidance is key. Pain can stem from overuse, injuries, or even underlying conditions with each requiring the right approach to treatment.
As sports medicine & movement specialists in Westerville, OH, we see it all the time. Knee pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems that people face and it is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans will experience knee pain at some point in their lives. Your knee endures constant pressure and movement when standing, walking, or going up and down the stairs. So, when pain starts to creep in, it can have a big impact on your daily life. Whether from repetitive movements or sudden injuries, there are many possible causes for discomfort in these areas. For this reason, knee pain is a very common condition that is treated by our doctors at Hughes Health.
Acute vs. Chronic Knee Pain: What’s the Difference?
• Acute Knee Pain happens suddenly, often due to an injury, car accident, or fall. The sooner you address it, the faster your recovery.
• Chronic Knee Pain lasts more than 3 months and can be harder to treat because your body starts adapting to the discomfort. That’s why early intervention is key!
1) Repetitive Use Injuries - One common cause of knee pain is tendinitis, which is inflammation of the tendons from overuse. This repetitive strain can cause discomfort and limit your ability to move freely.
2) Arthritis & Cartilage Damage – Wear and tear on the joint’s cartilage can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. Tears from sports, collisions, or falls can also cause joint instability.
3) Sprains & Strains – Ligament sprains and muscle strains happen when tissues are overstretched or injured, leading to pain and weakness.
4) Impingement – When a structure in your knee is pinched or compressed, it can create sharp pain and restrict movement. It can also create a locking sensation in the joint.
The good news? There are many treatment options available, and you don’t have to navigate the pain alone. Our expert sports medicine doctors can help you find the right solution so you can get back to moving, working, and living without limits.
Common Conditions of the Knee
Your knee endures constant pressure and movement, making it vulnerable to injury and wear over time. Here are some of the most common knee problems.
The wearing down of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Meniscus Tear
Damage to the c-shaped cartilage that cushions your knee, causing pain and locking.
Ligament Tears (ACL, MCL, PCL, LCL)
Injuries to the stabilizing bands in your knee, often caused by sudden movements or impact.
Patellar Tendinitis & Jumper’s Knee
Inflammation of the patellar tendon, common in athletes who jump frequently.
Bursitis
Swelling of the fluid-filled sacs that cushion your knee, leading to tenderness and stiffness.
Patella Instability & Runner's Knee
A misaligned kneecap causing discomfort and instability. Typically feels like aching pain around the kneecap especially when running, squatting, or climbing stairs.
Overstretched or torn muscles, tendons, or ligaments, leading to pain and swelling.
Hamstring Tendon Tear
Sudden pain, weakness, and difficulty walking or bending your knee can be caused by injury or tearing of the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh.
Treatments for the Knee
Find Relief Once & For All For Your Knee Pain in Westerville, OH
Before we are able to treat your knee pain at Hughes Health, we must perform a detailed consultation and examination. We start with a one-on-one consultation where our doctors truly listen. We want to understand how your knee pain is affecting your life, whether it's keeping you from working, exercising, or simply enjoying time with family. This conversation helps us gather key details that point us toward the root cause of your pain.
In the examination, we assess your movement, muscles, ligaments, and joints using orthopedic and functional movement testing, typically used at the elite and professional level. Pain is your body’s way of signaling that something isn’t working right. Our job is to find out why and help you understand. Once we pinpoint the cause, we create a personalized treatment plan to restore function and get you back to living pain-free without unnecessary medications or surgery.
PiezoWave Focused Shockwave Therapy: Break Through Stubborn Pain
For chronic knee pain, studies have shown PiezoWave Shockwave Therapy resulted in 76-85% improvement by using focused and targeted sound waves to:
Break up scar tissue and adhesions
Increase blood flow for faster healing
Stimulate natural tissue repair without surgery or downtime
Deep Tissue Class IV Laser Therapy: Heal from the Inside Out
Our Class IV Deep Tissue Laser uses light therapy to reduce pain and inflammation at the cellular level. This advanced treatment:
Boosts your body’s natural healing process
Reduces pain and inflammation in just 5-10 minutes
Feels like a gentle, warming sensation with no discomfort
Soft Tissue Manual Therapy: Digging Deep
At Hughes Health, we specialize in a wide variety of techniques to address the soft tissue causes of the pain.
Dry Needling: This targets tight or dysfunctional muscles by inserting small acupuncture needles into specific muscles and their trigger points to release tension and promote muscle recovery.
Fire Cupping: Using heated cups to create a suction effect on the skin helps increase blood flow to relieve muscle tightness and reduce pain. This warming effect has been shown to be more effective than the dry suction counterpart.
Graston Technique: Using specialized tools, we gently break up adhesions in your muscles and tendons, improving mobility and encouraging proper tissue healing.
Myofascial Release: Active Release Technique (ART), also known as manual trigger point release, takes your muscles through dynamic movement to release tension and alleviate pain at its source.
Sport Rehab and Custom Exercises: Build Strength, Prevent Injury
Pain relief is just the first step. Staying pain-free while moving and grooving is the goal. Our Custom Therapeutic Exercise Programs help you:
Strengthen muscles and improve mobility
Fix imbalances that cause recurring pain
Get back to doing what you love with confidence
The Right Care, Every Time: Adaptable for You
At Hughes Health, your recovery comes first. While we specialize in non-invasive, non-surgical sports medicine and movement dysfunctions, we also know when you need more. If our exam reveals that additional care is necessary, we’ll connect you with our trusted network of physical therapists, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and pain specialists. No guesswork, no wasted time! The right plan for the best results is a click away.
Your health is our priority. Let’s get you on the path to recovery today!
Why Choose
Hughes Health?
We take pride in providing evidence-based non-invasive approaches to healthcare. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your discomfort and pain to then provide effective and personalized treatment plans to help you achieve long-lasting results. If you're experiencing any of the conditions listed above, don't hesitate to contact us.