Knee Pain Treatment in Knoxville

A nagging knee injury can completely derail your active lifestyle. Whether you are struggling to climb a flight of stairs, feeling a sharp twinge during your morning run, or dealing with deep stiffness after sitting at your desk, knee pain should never become your "normal."

Masking the discomfort with rest or over-the-counter pain relievers usually only provides a temporary fix. For lasting relief, you need an approach that addresses the mechanics of your entire lower body. If you are searching for effective knee pain treatment in Knoxville, our clinic focuses on finding the root cause of your joint dysfunction so you can get back to moving freely and confidently.

Common Knee Injuries and Conditions We Treat

Knoxville Spine & Sports has the experience, skills, and state-of-the-art technology to effectively diagnose and treat your knee pain in Knoxville, TN. Dr. Bert Solomon and our team of physical therapists, chiropractors, and certified athletic trainers are trained in treating and rehabilitating injuries and conditions, such as

• ACL injury
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Arthritis
• Shin splints
• Jumpers Knee
• Patellofemoral pain (PFPS) syndrome
• Running injuries
• Sprains and strains of the muscles,
  tendons and ligaments
• Overuse injuries
• And more

We specialize in various therapies, techniques, and treatment options including chiropractic, physical therapy, dry needling, strengthening & corrective exercises, and more. With over 15+ years of experience, Knoxville Spine & Sports has the expertise to alleviate your pain to get you to optimal health and peak performance. If you’re searching for an experienced knee pain chiropractor in Knoxville, our team is here to provide effective, customized care.

Causes of Knee Pain

Dr. Bert Solomon has over 15 years of training and experience in helping patients get pain relief for joint pain caused by osteoarthritis, patellar tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee), ACL Sprain (Anterior Cruciate Ligament), and much more. Whether you jog down your street or whether you’re a more serious runner like those in the 2100-member Knoxville Track Club, running is exhilarating, right? The only downside is that as a runner, you might experience knee pain. The most common running injury is called “runner’s knee” or patellofemoral pain syndrome. If you’ve ever had a dull, aching pain that feels like it is behind or on top of the kneecap, you likely have this ailment. The pain occurs because the kneecap (patella) grinds against the groove in the thigh bone (femur) when you flex and extend the knee during running. Most people experience tenderness when pushing on the kneecap, as well as pain if you fully extend your leg. The syndrome is also more likely to occur in women.

Patellofemoral pain (PFPS) syndrome is very different from another source of knee pain known as patellar tendonitis, also known as “jumper’s knee”. With this injury, you feel pain in the patellar tendon that connects your kneecap to your shin. Jumper’s knee is an inflammation of the tendon caused resulting from overuse injury. Many athletes brush off this injury as minor, so they keep training, but patellar tendonitis is a serious condition that will worsen over time. The tendon damage can lead to the inability to straighten the knee and lack of support to the patella. Ultimately, surgery will be needed if the condition is not treated early.

Many of these knee injuries have to do with proper hip mechanics. Runners need hip strengthening exercises and techniques to avoid negatively impacting the knees. Specifically, we can teach you the appropriate hip abductor, flexor/extensor, rotator, and quadriceps muscle strengthening exercises to prevent knee injury. We have many clients who are runners, and they benefit from a dedicated stretching and strength training program.

People who love running, hiking, and many other sports can also experience an ACL sprain a common injury. If you do sprain the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on the inside of the knee, you will likely have tenderness and moderate to severe pain along that joint. You might even hear a “pop” and swelling occurs within 24 hours. When this ligament is sprained, you’ll likely feel like your knee can’t support your weight, and you’ll have a decreased range of motion and discomfort while walking.

ACL sprains range in severity from a ligament that is stretched but not torn to a fully torn ligament. Prevention of tears is key, and at Knoxville Spine and Sports, we have an ACL Prevention Program based on the neuromuscular retraining process called Sportsmetrics, developed by the Cincinnati Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation. We have been very successful using our predictive model for the probability of ACL injuries, as well as reducing the risk of ACL injury by 90% in individuals who use this program.

Knee Pain Symptoms You Should Not Ignore

Knee issues rarely resolve on their own if the underlying movement mechanics are flawed. What starts as a minor, occasional ache can quickly escalate into a severe mobility problem that keeps you sidelined.

You should have your knee professionally evaluated if you are experiencing any of these common signs:

• Pain During Movement: A sharp, stabbing, or aching pain when squatting, running, or transitioning from sitting to standing.
• Swelling or Inflammation: Visible puffiness, warmth, or fluid buildup around the knee joint after activity.
• Joint Stiffness: Difficulty bending or fully straightening your leg, especially first thing in the morning or after periods of rest.
• Instability or "Giving Out": A sudden feeling that your knee cannot support your body weight or might buckle underneath you.
• Reduced Range of Motion: An inability to move your knee through its full, normal arc without tightness, pulling, or pain.
• Clicking or Popping Sensations: Audible grinding, catching, or snapping inside the joint when you walk, run, or bend your leg.

How We Evaluate and Diagnose Your Knee Pain

To provide the most effective knee pain treatment in Knoxville, we have to look beyond the localized pain. Your knee is a hinge joint, located directly between your hip and your ankle; dysfunction or tightness in either of those surrounding areas can directly affect your knee mechanics.

Here is what you can expect during our comprehensive clinical assessment:

• Detailed Medical History: We review when and how your pain started, your daily activity levels, and any prior lower-body injuries that may be contributing to the problem.
• Physical Examination: We palpate the muscles, ligaments, and tendons around the knee to pinpoint specific areas of tenderness, swelling, or tracking issues.
• Movement and Mobility Testing: We analyze how you walk, squat, and balance to identify compensatory movement patterns, joint restrictions, or muscle weaknesses.
• Posture and Alignment Assessment: We evaluate your foot arches, ankle mobility, and pelvic alignment to see how they influence the physical stress placed on your knees.
• Imaging Referrals: If our clinical testing indicates a severe structural issue, such as a complete ligament tear or advanced joint degeneration, we will refer you for X-rays or an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.

Targeted Treatment Options for Knee Pain Relief

Recovering from a joint injury requires more than simply resting it and hoping for the best. We build a personalized care plan designed to restore stability, improve tissue health, and strengthen the muscles supporting the joint.

As a leading destination for knee pain treatment in Knoxville, our conservative care options include:

• Soft Tissue Therapy: Breaking down localized scar tissue and releasing chronically tight muscles (like the quads, hamstrings, and calves) that pull abnormally on the knee joint.
• Chiropractic Adjustments: Restoring proper joint mechanics and mobility in the hips, pelvis, and ankles to remove unnecessary compensatory stress from the knees.
• Corrective Exercises: Targeted strengthening protocols designed to stabilize the knee joint and correct side-to-side muscle imbalances in the lower body.
• Mobility Work: Active stretching and joint mobilization techniques to safely and progressively restore your knee's full range of motion.
• Inflammation Management: Utilizing specific therapeutic modalities to reduce acute swelling and pain so you can progress comfortably through your physical rehab.
• Personalized Rehabilitation Plans: A structured, phased approach meant to bridge the gap between initial pain relief and successfully returning to your favorite sports, workouts, or daily activities.

Why Choose Knoxville Spine & Sports for Your Recovery?

When it comes to finding the right treatment for knee pain in Knoxville, you need a team that understands both the clinical side of an injury and the functional demands of your everyday life. We do not just chase your symptoms; we fix the movement patterns that cause them.

• Integrated Sports Medicine Approach: We seamlessly combine the best elements of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and functional rehab to provide comprehensive, under-one-roof healing.
• Deep Clinical Expertise: Our practitioners have extensive experience treating everything from runner’s knee and patellar tendonitis to meniscus irritation and osteoarthritis.
• Personalized, Patient-First Solutions: You will not receive a cookie-cutter exercise sheet. We design a specific treatment plan based entirely on your unique mechanics, injury history, and performance goals.
• Focus on Proven, Long-Term Results: Our ultimate goal is to give you the clinical tools, strength, and physical resilience to keep the pain from coming back so you can stay active for years to come.

Take the First Step Toward Pain-Free Living

Knee pain can hold you back from the activities you love-whether it’s running, hiking, or simply moving comfortably through your daily routine. At Knoxville Spine & Sports, we take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to get to the root of your pain and help you recover safely. With advanced therapies, proven rehabilitation programs, and years of expertise, we’re here to restore your mobility and prevent future injuries through expert knee pain treatment in Knoxville.

Don’t let knee pain keep you on the sidelines-call Knoxville Spine & Sports today at (865) 337-5574 to schedule your appointment and start your journey toward lasting relief and peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions