{"id":5258,"date":"2024-03-25T12:39:09","date_gmt":"2024-03-25T12:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.advancedcarephysicaltherapy.com\/?p=5258"},"modified":"2024-03-25T12:39:09","modified_gmt":"2024-03-25T12:39:09","slug":"why-does-my-knee-hurt-when-i-go-downstairs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advancedcarephysicaltherapy.com\/blog\/why-does-my-knee-hurt-when-i-go-downstairs\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does My Knee Hurt When I Go Downstairs?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Expanding on our understanding of knee pain, especially when navigating stairs, sheds light on how intricately our body mechanics and muscle strength play into everyday movements.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The journey down stairs is more than a simple descent; it’s a complex interaction between your body’s structures, particularly emphasizing the patellofemoral joint’s role. This joint, where the back of your kneecap (patella) meets the front of your knee (femur), endures significant stress during such activities.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The mechanics of knee pain on stairs<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

When standing, the load through your kneecap is relatively low because it isn’t fully engaged with the knee joint. In contrast, sitting down shifts the kneecap into a position where it engages more directly with the knee joint, increasing the load, especially on the patellofemoral joint. This load amplifies significantly when walking downstairs due to the combined effects of knee bending and weight bearing, making it the activity with potentially the highest stress on your knee.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Understanding this helps explain why individuals with existing damage to the kneecap or the groove in which it sits may experience pronounced pain during these high-load activities. It’s not the load itself that’s problematic; many knees handle high loads regularly without issue. The pain arises from the increased stress on already damaged or weakened structures within the knee.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treating patellofemoral joint pain<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Addressing patellofemoral joint pain involves several strategies, primarily focusing on strengthening the muscles that support the knee, notably the quadriceps. Strong quadriceps can significantly reduce the load on the knee by providing more support, thereby protecting the knee from further damage. While strengthening these muscles won’t heal the damage already done, it plays a crucial role in managing pain and preventing additional strain.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Physical therapy approaches<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

At Advanced Care Physical Therapy, our approach to treating knee pain, especially related to stair descent, encompasses a range of <\/span>physical therapy techniques<\/span><\/a> tailored to your specific needs:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n