February 14, 2012
"Doctor, could my knee pain be related to my low back pain?"
Frequently we La Grande chiropractors see patients who are dealing with knee pain and have already undergone knee examination, MRI, x-ray, various therapies, knee strengthening exercises, etc., with no relief. Do you know someone with this history? You?
Well, Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC has seen this type of patient more often than not. Often the knee pain is "found" while we are performing the examination for the lower back pain the patient came to us for in the first place! But, we know that knee pain is created from spinal nerve irritation in the lower back that results in knee pain. Yes, it's true. The knee is heavily supplied with nerves starting from the low back. Actually, some of these spinal nerves compose the nerve you know as the sciatic nerve which actually has divisions and communication pathways at the knee joint. So much takes place at the knee!
Now, La Grande knee pain can be incapacitating. In one study of nursing personnel, knee pain and back pain causes much pain and disability. Interestingly, the relationships between the physical, psychosocial, chronicity, care seeking and absenteeism due to complaints of the lower back and knee pain were also studied. Guess what? 51% report lower back pain and 23% knee pain. These subjects also report that their work as highly demanding physically and their general health as moderate or bad. These two perceptions are the strongest risk factors for lower back and knee pain. Knee pain complaints cause significant burden in nursing staff. (1) Our La Grande chiropractic practice is here to help nurses and you when knee pain strikes!
If you suffer from knee pain in La Grande, consult Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC for an examination of your spine and possible spinal nerve irritation from the lower back as a cause of your pain. Even if you have arthritis of the knee and tried knee exercises to help, Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC can evaluate and create a treatment plan to address the complete problem.