Is your knee sore after long drives? It could be the driver’s knee.
As a physiotherapist in Nagercoil, I have treated many patients who suffer from this issue, whether they are professional drivers or simply individuals who spend a lot of time commuting. In this blog, I will explain what causes this, the symptoms to watch for, and how physiotherapy can help you get back to pain-free driving.
What is Driver’s Knee?
Driver’s Knee refers to pain that commonly happens when driving. Especially when the knee is bent for extended periods of time around the kneecap. This condition is medically known as Syndrome of Patellofemoral Pain and involves discomfort in the tissue under the joint called the patella. Sitting for extended periods or doing tasks that involve knee movement might result in serious pain.
Symptoms to Watch For
You might see one or more of the following typical symptoms if you have driving-related knee pain:
- You might experience a dull and sore pain near the kneecap that increases after sitting or driving for several hours.
- Squatting or any other activity that requires knee mobility could worsen the pain.
- You could feel as though you could fall because your knee feels weak or shaky.
- The area above the knee joint may be puffy or painful.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
The best part is that there are treatments for this and physiotherapy is one of the finest ways to manage and reduce the discomfort. Physiotherapy can help in the following ways:
Strengthening Exercises
A weakening of the muscles surrounding your knee may result in an improper bend and discomfort. We may heal your knee and reduce joint pain by strengthening your leg and thigh muscles with a few easy workouts. It relaxes movement and decreases pain.
Stretching and Flexibility
Both sides of your leg may be pulled and squeezed by contracted muscles. You can softly stretch these muscles to reduce stress and improve knee pain.
Postural Corrections
How you sit while driving matters a lot. If your seat is too close or your posture is off, it can stress your knee. I help my patients change their driving posture so they sit comfortably and their knees are in the proper position. These small changes can make a big difference.
Manual Therapy
Pain and swelling can be reduced using manual treatment techniques such as joint rotation and gentle massage. These methods are particularly beneficial in the initial phases of recovery since they make your knee feel more relaxed.
Activity Modification
Taking brief breaks on lengthy travels is one of the simplest things you can do. Your knees will not become stiff and uncomfortable just by getting outside and stretching your legs. Maintaining the health of your knees can be helped by this easy habit.
Preventing Driver’s Knee
Prevention is better than a cure and there are some steps you can follow to protect your knees while driving:
Take Regular Breaks
Stop at regular intervals of one hour to stretch your legs if you are on a long drive.
Improve Your Posture
Sit away from the driving wheel and adjust your seat for enough back support. Maintaining proper driving posture reduces knee stress.
Stay Active
Try to stay active every day. Regular exercise helps strengthen the muscles around your knees and lowers the chances of developing driver’s knee. Focus on simple movements that improve strength and flexibility in your legs to keep your knees in good shape.
Wear Supportive Footwear
Wearing shoes that support your feet properly makes a big difference. Good foot support helps your knees stay aligned and takes pressure off the joints while you walk or drive.
Conclusion
Driver’s Knee might be a common issue but that does not mean you have to endure the pain. With the right physiotherapy approach, you can manage the discomfort and improve the knee function to live life without constant worry of knee pain.
Visit Jacob Ortho and Sports Physio Clinic and meet your physiotherapist in Nagercoil so we can work together on a treatment plan that helps you drive comfortably and live pain free.