Overuse and training jumps
Running, jumping, deep squats or a sudden rise in training load can irritate the tendons and tissue around the knee.
Knee Pain Relief in Rancho Santa Fe, CA
Stairs, squats and the first steps out of a chair should not make you wince. We work out why your knee hurts and build a plan that keeps you walking, training and playing.
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- A full exam before any treatment
The short answer
Knee pain is aching, sharp pain, swelling or stiffness in or around the knee joint, from an injury, overuse or arthritis. At True Performance in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, we examine the knee along with the hip, ankle and the way you move, then use extremity adjustments, near-infrared light therapy and sports injury rehab.
Overview
Why does my knee hurt on the stairs?
Maybe it started after a bad landing on the court. Maybe it built slowly over a season of trail runs, or it just aches more each morning. Now you think twice before a squat or a long walk.
The knee takes load from the hip above and the foot below. When one of them moves poorly, the knee often pays for it.
What does care look like here?
We check the knee itself, then how you walk, squat and land. Many plans start with extremity adjustments for knee pain and exercises for the muscles that support the joint.
Understanding
What is knee pain?
Knee pain is pain, swelling or stiffness in the knee, where the thigh bone, shin bone and kneecap meet. Cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles all share the load, so pain can start in any of them after an injury, from overuse or from arthritis.
What is actually happening
A tissue in or around the knee gets strained, torn or worn.
The area swells or stiffens, and nearby muscles stop supporting it well.
The hip and ankle change how you move, adding more load to the knee.
Who this usually affects
- Runners, hikers and court athletes
- Riders and golfers who pivot and brace often
- Adults with arthritis or old knee injuries
- People whose job keeps them kneeling, squatting or lifting
When it is something else
- A knee that cannot bear weight or looks deformed
- A hot, red, swollen knee with fever
- Calf pain or swelling below the knee
The re-check
We re-test how the knee moves and how much load it tolerates as you go. If it is not improving, we change the plan or refer you for imaging or an orthopedic opinion.
Symptoms
Symptoms of knee pain
- Aching, sharp or burning knee pain
- Swelling around the joint
- Stiffness or trouble bending fully
- Pain around the kneecap or along the joint line
- Pain on stairs, squats or after long sitting
- Clicking, catching or locking
- A knee that feels like it may give way
- Pain when standing or bearing weight
Causes
Common causes
Sudden injuries
A twist, collision or awkward landing can hurt a ligament, meniscus or tendon. Popping, swelling or instability needs a closer look.
Arthritis and wear
Osteoarthritis can bring aching, stiffness and swelling, often worse after rest or long walks.
Bursitis and tendinitis
Repeated kneeling or pressure can inflame the small fluid sacs and tendons around the knee.
How your hip, ankle and foot move
Limited mobility, weak hips or the way you land can change how load passes through the knee.
Our approach
How our care works
We treat knee pain by finding which tissue is irritated and what in your movement keeps loading it. Care can combine extremity adjustments, near-infrared light and sports injury rehab, with a regenerative therapies consultation when it fits.
Extremity adjustment
Gentle adjustments and mobilization of the knee, hip and ankle, plus exercises for the muscles that hold the knee steady. Read how chiropractic adjustments for the knee and hip fit your exam.
Near-infrared light therapy
Invisible light is placed over a sore or stiff area while you rest, with no needles. See how near-infrared light is used on a sore knee.
Sports injury rehab
Graded strength, balance and landing work when a knee injury is keeping you out of your sport. Explore rehab for a sports knee injury.
Regenerative therapies consultation
For knee pain that keeps returning, we explain whether any available option fits after your evaluation. Start with a regenerative therapies consultation for knee pain.
Red flags
When to seek care
Many knee problems can wait for a planned exam. Some cannot.
- You cannot put weight on the knee
- Severe pain even when you are not standing on it
- The knee looks deformed after an injury
- Redness, warmth, major swelling or a fever
- Pain, swelling or numbness in the calf below the knee
If you notice any of these, get urgent medical care before booking with us.
Source: MedlinePlus guide to knee pain.
Your clinician
Who plans your care
Your exam and plan are led by Dr. Jeff McWhorter, D.C., a chiropractor whose practice focuses on functional neurology, concussion rehabilitation, and performance. He works with athletes and active adults.
He watches you walk, squat and balance on one leg, because knee pain often starts with how the whole leg moves. If your findings suggest a tear or another problem that needs imaging, he tells you and refers you before care begins.
Visit
Getting here
Our office is at 18029 Calle Ambiente, Suite 507, in Cielo Village, Rancho Santa Fe, about two miles from Lake Hodges and its trails. Patients come from Fairbanks Ranch, Del Mar, Carmel Valley and across North County San Diego.
The first step
Schedule Your Knee Pain Evaluation
- 01Start with a complimentary 15-minute intro call
- 02Your first visit takes about 90 minutes, plus data and history gathering
- 03We refer you if your knee needs imaging
What can I do for knee pain at home?
Rest from the activity that hurts, use ice, and raise the leg when it swells. See a provider if the pain lasts more than a few days or the knee buckles or locks.
Which activities are easier on a sore knee?
Level walking, a stationary bike or swimming are often easier than running or jumping. Stop any activity that raises pain, swelling or instability.
Do I need an MRI for knee pain?
Not always. We recommend imaging or an orthopedic opinion after a major injury, or when the knee locks, gives way or swells a lot.
Is knee pain always a knee problem?
No. Stiff hips, weak glutes or the way your foot lands can overload the knee. Pain in several joints may point to joint pain that moves between joints, which we evaluate differently.
Can you help with knee arthritis?
We can help many people with arthritis move more comfortably through exercise, adjustments and light-based care. Results vary, and we do not change the arthritis itself.
Get back to stairs, trails and the court
Start with a complimentary 15-minute call with our team.