Today, we’re going to explore a fascinating case that might change your perception of joint pain. Meet Terry. He suffers from knee pain. Diagnosed with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, he convinced himself that it was the cause of his problem. But in reality, it wasn’t.
What is patellofemoral osteoarthritis?
Patellofemoral osteoarthritis refers to the wear and tear of the cartilage between the femur and the kneecap. This condition is often considered the culprit when knee pain occurs. However, it’s important to know that osteoarthritis doesn’t always cause pain. In fact, many people have osteoarthritis without even knowing it because they don’t feel any discomfort. So why do so many people focus on osteoarthritis when they experience knee pain?
The Diagnosis Fallacy
When you have pain and an X-ray shows osteoarthritis, it is common to conclude that the problem is osteoarthritis. In reality, this is very rarely the case. For Terry, the real cause of his pain was not osteoarthritis, but compression of his knee.
The Real Cause of Terry’s Pain
Terry spent a lot of time in a squatting position, with his knees on the floor while laying tiles. This prolonged position caused compression of his knee. His body interpreted this compression as an aggression, similar to a fall or a sprain. Result? His system responded by generating pain to protect itself.
In addition, Terry’s meniscus was put under strain. Excessive compression can lead to meniscal damage, adding to the pain and joint problems. Fortunately, after consultation and manual therapy, Terry’s pain has greatly diminished.
Conclusion
This case reminds us of the importance of looking for the real cause of the pain to get the best results. Knee pain can have many different origins, and it is crucial not to rely solely on what an X-ray shows.
I’ll see you in a future video to discover another case of knee pain with a different cause. It’s going to be about joints!
Stay tuned!
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