Orthopedic physical therapy is treatment that specializes in conditions that impact the musculoskeletal system. While most physical therapists have the ability to diagnose and address your symptoms, and orthopedic physical therapist is one that has completed additional training in order to become an orthopedic specialist. If you are dealing with knee pain and your mobility has been impacted, orthopedic physical therapy can provide you with the treatment you need to figure out what is going on with your knee and how to improve your mobility. Through carefully assessing your symptoms, observing your gait, and measuring range of motion, your physical therapist will assess your condition in order to come up with a treatment plan that works for you.

An Initial Evaluation

Your physical therapist will meet with you and complete a thorough evaluation to determine what your limitations are. The body is complex, and what is causing your knee pain could be any number of issues. You might have a problem with the arch of your foot, causing your knee to be out of alignment when walking. Problems with your lower back or hip can cause knee pain, as well as structural issues with the knee itself. The evaluation is done to establish a baseline of where you are at medically to determine goals for your treatment.

Your Treatment in Physical Therapy

You will work with your orthopedic physical therapist in a variety of ways. You might receive manual therapy that focuses on soft tissue mobilization and improving blood flow to your tissue. Your therapist might use ultrasound to break up scar tissue, or hot packs to relax your muscles. Therapy will change over time as you get stronger and more mobile. In the beginning, the focus is on reducing your pain and improving your joint mobility. As you progress, you will discover that with less pain, you are able to move more readily.

Frequency of Physical Therapy Visits

While a physical therapy schedule is different for everyone, you can expect to go several times a week in the beginning. Therapy builds on top of itself, and continual treatment helps you get better results. As you heal from your injury or condition, you will begin to reduce the number of visits you have until eventually you are discharged from physical therapy.

When you have knee pain that is making mobility difficult, it's time to see how an orthopedic physical therapist can make a difference.