Knee Pain
 

Restore Strength, Stability, and Confidence With Movement
 

Knee pain can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, squat, run, ski, cycle, lift, or participate in the activities you enjoy. Symptoms may develop after a sudden injury or gradually from repetitive loading, tendon irritation, reduced strength, arthritis, or changes in how the hips, knees, and ankles work together.

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we evaluate the knee as part of the entire lower-extremity movement system. Your care plan is then adapted to your examination findings, activity demands, goals, and response to treatment.
 

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Common Causes of Knee Pain

Knee pain may arise from the joint itself or from the surrounding muscles, tendons, ligaments, and movement patterns.

Common knee conditions include:

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Patellofemoral pain

• Meniscus irritation or injury

• Ligament sprains

• Osteoarthritis

• Quadriceps or hamstring strains

• IT band-related pain

• Bursitis

• Repetitive-use injuries

• Pain following a fall, twist, or impact

• Reduced hip or ankle mobility affecting knee mechanics

Pain location alone does not always identify the exact structure involved. A detailed assessment helps determine which factors are most relevant.

Common Symptoms

Knee pain may include:

• Pain in the front, inside, outside, or back of the knee

• Swelling or stiffness

• Pain with stairs, squatting, kneeling, or sitting

• Clicking, catching, or locking

• A feeling of instability or giving way

• Reduced range of motion

• Pain with running, skiing, cycling, or jumping

• Tenderness around the kneecap or tendons

• Weakness or reduced confidence on one leg

• Difficulty returning to sport after injury

Persistent locking, major instability, or inability to bear weight may require additional medical evaluation.

How We Evaluate Knee Pain

Your examination may include:

• Health and injury history

• Knee range of motion

• Ligament and meniscus testing

• Strength and muscle activation

• Hip and ankle mobility

• Balance and single-leg control

• Squat, lunge, step-down, gait, or running analysis

• Jumping, landing, or sport-specific movement

• Review of training load and recovery habits

• Review of available imaging or medical records

The goal is to determine which tissues and movement factors are contributing to your symptoms and whether conservative care is appropriate.

Our Treatment Approach

Knee pain care may combine several strategies depending on the condition, stage of recovery, and activity goals.

Chiropractic Care and Joint Mobilization

Adjustments or mobilization may be used to improve movement through the knee, hips, pelvis, ankles, and feet when joint restriction is contributing to altered mechanics.

Treatment is adapted to your symptoms and examination findings.

Focused Shockwave Therapy

Focused shockwave therapy may be considered for persistent tendon and soft tissue conditions, including certain cases of:

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Quadriceps tendon irritation

• Pes anserine-related pain

• Chronic attachment-point pain

• Persistent muscular or fascial restrictions

Shockwave is not appropriate for every knee condition and is used only when examination findings support it.

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may help reduce protective tension and improve mobility around the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, IT band, hips, and surrounding knee structures.

Exercise Rehabilitation

Progressive rehabilitation is often central to improving knee function.

Your program may include:

• Quadriceps and hamstring strengthening

• Gluteal and hip strengthening

• Calf and ankle mobility

• Single-leg balance and control

• Progressive tendon loading

• Squat and lunge retraining

• Step-up and step-down progressions

• Jumping, landing, or change-of-direction drills

• Running or gait progressions

• Sport-specific exercises

• Personalized home exercises

Supportive Recovery Modalities

Laser therapy, PEMF, compression, and other recovery tools may be included when appropriate. These services support the overall plan but do not replace progressive loading and movement retraining.

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We evaluate knee mobility, strength, stability, hip and ankle function, movement quality, and the activities that aggravate your symptoms.

02 — Treat

We use targeted chiropractic care, manual therapy, focused shockwave, and supportive modalities when appropriate.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive rehabilitation helps rebuild strength, control, tissue tolerance, and confidence with daily and athletic movement.

04 — Maintain

Home exercises, movement education, recovery resources, and periodic care help you maintain progress and reduce recurring irritation.

Returning to Activity

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain at rest. We want to help you regain the capacity and confidence needed for the activities that matter to you.

Depending on your goals, care may focus on helping you:

• Walk and climb stairs

• Squat, kneel, and lift

• Return to running or hiking

• Ski or snowboard

• Cycle or mountain bike

• Golf

• Return to strength training

• Jump, land, or change direction

• Resume work or recreational activity

Return-to-activity progression is based on mobility, strength, control, symptom response, and confidence.

When Additional Evaluation May Be Needed

Additional imaging or medical referral may be appropriate when there is:

• Significant trauma or suspected fracture

• Inability to bear weight

• Major swelling soon after injury

• Persistent locking or inability to fully straighten the knee

• Recurrent giving way or instability

• Sudden loss of strength

• Visible deformity

• Fever, redness, or significant warmth around the joint

• Severe or rapidly worsening pain

• Symptoms that do not improve as expected with conservative care

We will recommend referral when findings suggest that another type of evaluation or treatment is needed.

Start With a Comprehensive Assessment

Knee pain can involve the joint, tendons, ligaments, meniscus, muscles, or movement patterns throughout the lower extremity. A thorough assessment helps determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and which combination of chiropractic care, focused shockwave therapy, rehabilitation, supportive treatment, or referral is most appropriate.

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Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, Glenwood Springs, and the Roaring Fork Valley.