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Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis

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 incorporate new exercises that will keep them moving.

Therapydia Weighs In:

Helping patients with knee osteoarthritis reduce pain and get moving again

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common condition that affects more than 14 million Americans. Unfortunately, the lack of movement caused by knee pain causes ligaments, tendons and muscles around the joint to shorten and get weaker, making the problem even worse. Every episode of knee osteoarthritis is unique.

Therapydia’s physical therapists are trained to assess the condition of each patient and develop a plan of care that is specific to their condition, lifestyle, and the degree of pain and swelling the patient is experiencing. The treatment plan may include manual therapy massage which helps relax muscles, increase circulation and ease pain in the soft tissues. Manual therapy may also include mobilization or slow, measured movements that twist, pull, or push bones and joints. This can loosen tight tissues around a joint and help with flexibility and alignment. Manipulation is another technique that applies pressure to a joint. This can be done using the therapist’s hands or a device and can range from gentle to strong, or slow to rapid pressure. Typically, a treatment plan also includes stretching and core exercises to build strength in the core and hip muscles, which can help control knee pain and help your patient get back to activities.

  Watch PT TV Now

  • Learn how treatment plans vary depending on the patient’s recovery process and the extent of the injury.
  • Discover how manual therapy techniques and rehabilitative exercises can help patients reduce knee pain.
  • Learn about steps patients can take prior to knee joint replacement surgery and after surgery.

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Jessica Jones

Physical Therapist

Jessica recently moved to Seattle from Boston, MA and is excited to join the Therapydia team. Her treatment experience includes orthopedics, sports medicine, pediatrics, and vestibular therapy. Jessica received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Northeastern University in Boston, MA in 2016. She has completed the Pediatric Physical Therapy Residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and is in the process of completing a Comprehensive Vestibular Rehabilitation certification. Jessica believes in empowering and inspiring patients to take control of their health through education, movement, and exercise. She enjoys treating patients of all ages and levels while utilizing soft tissue techniques, neuromuscular re-education, balance training as well as therapeutic exercise. In her free time, Jessica enjoys yoga, dancing, kayaking, and hiking with her dog!