Conditions we treat
At our Nea Smyrni physiotherapy clinic we handle both conservative and post-operative knee rehabilitation:
- Meniscal tears — conservatively or after arthroscopy
- ACL rupture and rehabilitation after reconstruction
- Collateral ligament injuries
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia patellae
- Patellar tendinopathy ('jumper's knee')
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Rehabilitation after total knee replacement
- Iliotibial band syndrome in runners
Why quadriceps strength determines the outcome
After a knee injury or operation, the quadriceps loses strength very quickly — and unlike swelling or pain, it does not come back on its own. It's common for a patient to feel 'fine' while the operated leg is still substantially weaker than the healthy one.
That deficit is one of the strongest predictors of re-injury. This is why measuring strength symmetry between limbs is a central criterion in our plan, not an afterthought at the end.
How we approach rehabilitation
We start with a full assessment: range of motion, swelling, strength, stability, gait quality and single-leg control. We also check the hip and ankle — a large share of knee problems trace back to weak glutes or restricted ankle mobility.
The plan combines manual therapy for joint stiffness, Tecar therapy where pain is limiting exercise, and progressive therapeutic exercise as the primary treatment. Load increases gradually based on your response, not on a fixed timetable.
Osteoarthritis: what actually helps
For knee arthritis, therapeutic exercise is consistently the first-line treatment in international guidelines — ahead of medication and long before surgery is considered. Exercise does not 'wear out' the joint further; strengthening the surrounding muscles reduces the load it takes.
The goal here is functional: climbing stairs, getting out of a chair and walking the distance you want to, with less pain.
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