Why do I have pain on the outer side of my knee?

There are many reasons why you could have pain on the outer side of your knee. The most common reason is that you’ve been doing too many repetitive knee movements, and these movements can lead to a variety of knee issues. But there are also other reasons why you may be having lateral knee pain. 

It’s common for people to develop some type of knee pain. Medical researchers have found that 25% of adults are affected by frequent knee pain. Figuring out the cause of the pain on the outer side of your knee can be difficult on your own. Fortunately, a physical therapist can help you find the cause of your pain, and these specialists can also offer effective treatment for your lateral knee pain. 

These issues could cause pain on the outer side of your knee

Besides repetitive movements, playing sports or experiencing a fall or injury could also cause issues that lead to lateral knee pain. Some of the issues that could be the root cause of your pain include: 

• Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Lateral meniscus tears

What can physical therapists do to treat pain on the outside of your knee?

The initial step a physical therapist will take to treat your lateral knee pain is figure out the cause of your pain. Typically, therapists do this by comprehensively evaluating your knee. This evaluation can involve movement tests, questions about your pain and questions about your daily routine. 

After gathering this information, your physical therapist will build a therapy plan that specifically fits your needs. A few of the therapy methods that could be included in your plan are: 

• Therapeutic exercises to stretch and improve strength in knee-supporting muscles. 

• Joint mobilization that can increase joint flexibility and decrease pain. 

• Myofascial release where your physical therapist breaks down myofascial trigger points by applying pressure with their hands. 

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) designed to help break down scar tissue from previous injuries. 

Whatcom PT offers top-notch treatment for pain on the outer side of the knee

Tired of feeling pain on the outer side of your knee every day? Our physical therapists at Whatcom Physical Therapy are ready and willing to help you treat your knee pain. We offer free screenings designed to reveal the specific issue that’s causing your pain. In addition, our team excels at constructing individualized therapy plans intended to decrease pain and improve your ability to move. 

Feel like you can’t leave home because of your knee pain? You don’t have to! Our physical therapists can meet with you via a virtual therapy session and treat your knee right in your home. 

Contact our team today for more information about how we can assist you with your knee pain or to schedule an initial appointment.