Dr Creaney sees many patients with knee condition including (but not limited to):-
Osteoarthritis & Baker’s Cyst - download exercises
Patello-femoral pain / Maltracking Patella - download exercise & advice sheet
Ilio-tibial Band syndrome
Patella Tendinopathy / Tendinitis
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture / PCL rupture
Meniscus injuries - download exercises
Osteochondral Injuries
Injuries to the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and LCL.
Symptoms of knee conditions include:- Pain, Stiffness, Localised tenderness, Swelling, Painful Clicking, Crepitus, Locking & Giving-Way. If you have any of these symptoms Dr Creaney may be able to help.
Osteoarthritis (OA) - ‘Wear & Tear’ of the cartilage inside the knee becomes more common with rising age. It is also common in younger people with previous injury to the cartilage, menisci or cruciate (ACL/PCL) ligaments of the knee. Early OA responds well to Quadriceps strengthening, simple painkillers (Paracetamol/Ibuprofen) and injections of Steroid (cortisone) or Ostenil. Selected cases of moderate OA can, in the short term, respond to an operation called ‘arthroscopy, washout & debridement’. Severe OA will need an operation such as Total Knee Replacement. Dr Creaney can help you choose a local surgeon.
Patellofemoral Pain (Maltracking Patella) - this is the most common cause of ‘Anterior Knee Pain’. In this condition it is believed that the patella (kneecap) is compressed against the femoral trochlea during movement, causing a degree of friction. The condition may progress to ‘Chondromalacia Patella’, chondral defects and osteochondral defects and eventually Patello-femoral OA. It is most common in runners and walkers. A number of anatomical factors can predispose to the condition, and in particular weakness of the Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle (VMO). Initial treatment focuses on Gait Re-education and training the VMO. Surgery does exist to re-align the kneecap although it is rarely required and results are variable.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome - Seen in Runners and Walkers. Pain on the lateral side of the knee. Builds in intensity during gait and can feel quite sharp. Settles very quickly on resting. Can respond briefly to a steroid injections (often done a few days prior to a race), but long-term requires improved flexibility, knee proprioception and running mechanics.