KNEE & LOWER LEG
Spin Splints (MTSS)
Shin splints, medically known as Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS), cause pain along the inner edge of the shinbone. They commonly affect runners, dancers, and those who increase activity intensity or duration too quickly. The pain results from inflammation of muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around the tibia due to repetitive stress.
Treatment involves managing activity levels to reduce overload, improving muscle strength and flexibility, addressing biomechanical factors such as foot posture, hip mobility and running technique, and applying hands-on therapies. Early intervention helps prevent progression to more serious injuries like stress fractures and supports a safe return to activity.
Sinding Larson & Osgood Schlatter (Growing Pains)
Sinding Larsen-Johansson Syndrome and Osgood-Schlatter Disease are common overuse knee injuries affecting children and adolescents during growth spurts. Both conditions cause pain and swelling around the knee where the patellar tendon attaches to the bones—at the bottom of the kneecap in Sinding Larsen and at the top of the shinbone in Osgood-Schlatter.
These “growing pains” typically develop from repetitive stress on developing bones and tendons during sports or physical activity. Symptoms include localized tenderness, swelling, and discomfort during running, jumping, or kneeling.
Our team offers targeted treatment including activity modification, gentle stretching, strengthening exercises, manual therapy, and education to help manage pain and support healthy growth. Most importantly, these conditions can be very limiting and improve with treatment, before fusing as the child’s bones mature.
Calf muscle tear / strain
A calf strain occurs when one or more muscles at the back of the lower leg are overstretched or torn, often during sudden movements like sprinting, jumping, or pushing off. Symptoms typically include sudden sharp pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking or standing on tiptoe.
Effective treatment focuses on reducing pain and inflammation initially, followed by a structured rehabilitation program to restore strength, flexibility, and endurance. Our physiotherapists and chiropractors guide you through tailored exercises and hands-on therapies to support a safe and timely return to your activities.
Patellar Tendinitis (Jumpers Knee)
Patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury causing inflammation and pain in the tendon that connects the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone. It commonly affects athletes involved in jumping or running sports, presenting as tenderness and pain just below the kneecap that worsens with activity.
Treatment involves managing load to reduce tendon stress, targeted strengthening exercises focusing on the quadriceps and surrounding muscles, manual therapy, and gradual return-to-sport programs. Early intervention helps prevent chronic pain and supports optimal knee function.
Patellar Bursitis (retropatellar / suprapatellar ect)
Patellar bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction around the knee joint. This condition can affect various bursae, including the prepatellar bursa (in front of the kneecap), infrapatellar bursa (below the kneecap), and suprapatellar bursa (above the kneecap). It often results from repetitive kneeling, trauma, or overuse.
Symptoms include localized swelling, tenderness, warmth, and pain around the affected area, especially during movement or pressure on the knee. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, relieving pressure, and addressing any underlying causes through manual therapy, activity modification, taping, and strengthening exercises to support knee function and prevent recurrence.
Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS)
ITBFS is a common overuse injury that occurs when the iliotibial band — a thick band of connective tissue running along the outside of the thigh — repeatedly rubs against the outer part of the knee. This friction causes irritation and inflammation, leading to sharp or burning pain on the outside of the knee, particularly during running, cycling, or downhill movements.
It is often caused by poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, training errors, spikes in load, or inadequate recovery. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, restoring muscle balance, improving hip and knee mechanics, and gradually returning to activity. Our clinicians use hands-on therapy, corrective exercises, modalities such as dry needling, and education to manage symptoms and prevent recurrence.
Lagament Injuries
The knee is supported by four primary ligaments — the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL — as well as complex structures like the posterolateral corner that stabilise the joint during movement. Injuries to these ligaments can occur through twisting, sudden stops or direction changes, or direct trauma, and may range from mild sprains to complete tears.
Symptoms often include pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty weight-bearing. Early assessment is crucial to determine the severity and guide treatment, which may involve conservative rehabilitation or referral for surgical management in more severe cases. Our team provides tailored programs focusing on restoring joint stability, strength, and neuromuscular control to help clients return to sport or daily activities safely and confidently.
Meniscal Injuries & Tears
The menisci are two crescent-shaped pieces of cartilage in the knee that act as shock absorbers, stabilisers, and protectors of the joint surfaces. Meniscal injuries typically occur through twisting or pivoting movements, deep squats, or direct impact. They can also result from age-related degeneration.
Symptoms may include joint line pain, swelling, locking or catching of the knee, and difficulty fully straightening or bending the leg. Accurate diagnosis and early management are important to prevent long-term joint issues. Our clinic provides comprehensive rehabilitation focusing on pain relief, restoring mobility, strengthening the surrounding muscles, and improving knee function. In more complex cases, we can coordinate care with orthopaedic specialists.
PFPS
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, often referred to as “runner’s knee,” is a common condition causing pain around or behind the kneecap. It typically develops from overuse, poor knee alignment, muscle imbalances, or altered lower limb biomechanics during walking, running, or squatting.
Symptoms include a dull, aching pain at the front of the knee, often aggravated by stairs, prolonged sitting, kneeling, or physical activity. Treatment focuses on identifying and correcting contributing factors through tailored strengthening, mobility work, movement retraining, and manual therapy. Our goal is to restore pain-free function and prevent recurrence, whether you’re an athlete or simply active in daily life.
Chondromalacia Patella
Chondromalacia patella refers to the softening or degeneration of the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap (patella), leading to pain at the front of the knee. It is often caused by poor kneecap tracking, overuse, muscle imbalances, or previous injury and is common in young athletes and active individuals.
Symptoms include a dull ache behind the kneecap, especially when walking up or down stairs, squatting, or sitting for prolonged periods. Treatment aims to reduce pain and inflammation while correcting movement patterns through strength training, stretching, manual therapy, and kneecap stabilisation techniques. Our team designs tailored rehabilitation programs to restore proper patellar mechanics and support long-term joint health.
Patellofemoral Tracking Issues
Patellofemoral tracking issues occur when the kneecap (patella) does not move smoothly within its groove at the end of the thigh bone during movement. This misalignment can cause pain, instability, clicking, or a feeling that the knee might give way. In more severe cases, the kneecap can partially or completely dislocate, often due to trauma, ligament laxity, or poor muscle control.
Symptoms may include swelling, difficulty bending or straightening the knee, and a visibly displaced kneecap in dislocations. Early management focuses on pain control, joint protection, and restoring proper alignment through muscle strengthening, especially of the quadriceps and hip stabilisers. Our clinic provides targeted rehabilitation, taping or bracing strategies, and movement retraining to improve stability, prevent recurrence, and support return to activity.
Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition where the protective cartilage within the knee gradually wears down over time. This can lead to joint pain, stiffness, swelling, reduced mobility, and difficulty with everyday activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or squatting. It commonly affects older adults but can also occur earlier due to joint injury, surgery, alignment issues, or repetitive stress.
Although knee OA is a progressive condition, its symptoms can be effectively managed. Our team provides evidence-based treatment including manual therapy, individualised exercise programs, joint mobilisation, and education to improve joint function and reduce discomfort. The goal is to keep you active, mobile, and independent for as long as possible without the need for invasive procedures.
Total (or partial) Knee replacement (TKR)
Total and partial knee replacements are surgical procedures designed to relieve chronic knee pain and restore joint function, most commonly due to osteoarthritis or significant joint damage. While a total knee replacement involves resurfacing the entire joint, a partial replacement targets only the affected compartment, preserving more of the natural knee structure.
Rehabilitation is key to achieving the best possible outcome following surgery. At VIBE we provide tailored, step-by-step recovery plans that begin with pain relief, swelling management, and mobility restoration. As recovery progresses, we focus on improving strength, balance, and functional movement to support a safe return to daily activities, work, and sport. Whether you’ve had a total or partial knee replacement, our goal is to help you move confidently and live actively.