At GO Sports Therapy, we believe in the body’s incredible ability to heal itself when given the right environment and inputs. Recently, we encountered a patient whose journey highlights this philosophy in action.
The Case Our patient came to us 1 ½ years post-op from a total knee replacement, still experiencing pain that significantly limited her mobility. Despite her surgeon confirming that the hardware was in place, she struggled to straighten her knee without intense discomfort, describing what felt like a “hamstring strain.”
Her story immediately piqued our curiosity. Was there more to this lingering pain?
The Evaluation During her initial evaluation, her description of symptoms led us to suspect an entrapped common peroneal nerve on the lateral aspect of her knee. Nerves are fascinating structures—they are designed to glide smoothly but cannot tolerate stretching. Sometimes, during the body’s healing process, scar tissue can develop around a nerve, restricting its glide and creating tension. While rare, I’ve seen this phenomenon twice in my three decades as a physical therapist.
Sure enough, further testing revealed neural tension on the outside of her knee. This confirmed our theory and set the course for her personalized treatment plan.
The Treatment Plan We began with Astym regenerative soft tissue treatment, a proven technique to stimulate the body’s healing response and help resorb scar tissue. To complement this, we incorporated neural flossing exercises to encourage nerve mobility and breathwork aimed at decompressing the lumbar spine and supporting overall nerve function.
During the first soft tissue treatment, we observed muscular twitching near the fibular head, further confirming the involvement of the common peroneal nerve.
The Results We are thrilled to report that after just four treatments, our patient has achieved a 70% reduction in her pain. Her mobility has improved, and we are optimistic that continued Astym treatments will allow the scar tissue around the nerve to resorb, enabling the nerve to glide freely and further relieving her discomfort.
A Philosophy of Healing This case underscores our belief at GO Sports Therapy: the human body is capable of extraordinary healing. By carefully listening to our patients, identifying the root causes of their pain, and applying targeted therapies, we aim to unlock the body’s innate potential to recover.
If you or someone you know is facing similar challenges after surgery, we’re here to help. Together, we can create the ideal environment for healing and mobility.