Knee Rehabilitation in Sharjah

What is knee rehabilitation?

Knee rehabilitation is a physiotherapy programme that treats knee pain and weakness mainly through targeted exercise. The knee sits between the hip and the ankle, and it takes the strain when the muscles around it are weak or tired. Strengthening the thigh muscles, which absorb load as you walk and climb, and the buttock muscles, which keep the knee in line over the foot, reduces the stress on painful structures.

A fact that surprises many people with knee arthritis: exercise is one of the main treatments, and a strong programme often eases pain even though the joint surfaces themselves stay the same. Muscles act as the knee's shock absorbers, and stronger muscles share the work.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, knee rehabilitation is delivered by the hospital's own physical therapists, who work closely with the orthopedic surgeons. This page covers knee problems treated without an operation. Rehabilitation after knee surgery is described on the post-operative rehabilitation and joint replacement rehabilitation pages.

Who needs it

Knee rehabilitation helps adults and teenagers with:

• Knee osteoarthritis, with pain on stairs, rising from a chair or after walking
• Pain around or behind the kneecap, often worse after sitting, squatting or going downstairs
• Meniscus tears, particularly wear-related tears in middle age that are often treated with exercise first
• Knee ligament sprains that are healing without surgery
• Tendon pain below the kneecap in people who jump or run
• A knee that feels weak or gives way after an injury

The orthopedic surgeon may combine rehabilitation with other treatments, such as PRP joint injections or, for specific cartilage injuries, cartilage repair. When arthritis becomes severe despite a good programme, the surgeon discusses knee replacement.

What happens

The first session includes questions about your pain, what brings it on and what you want to be able to do, followed by an examination. The physical therapist checks how the knee bends and straightens, whether it is swollen, how strong your thigh, hip and calf muscles are, and how your knee lines up when you squat, step down or balance on one leg. Watching a single-leg step down often shows the knee drifting inwards, a pattern that loads the kneecap.

The programme is then built around your knee problem:

• Strengthening of the thigh, buttock and calf muscles, starting with exercises that are comfortable for the knee and progressing to squats, step-ups and lunges
• Load management, adjusting how far, how fast and how often you walk, run or climb stairs while the knee settles
• Range of movement exercises to restore full bending and straightening
• Balance training to improve control and confidence, especially after a knee has given way
• Manual therapy for a stiff knee or tight surrounding muscles, used to make exercise easier
• Activity guidance, such as cycling and swimming, which build fitness with less load on the knee

A common rule for exercise with knee arthritis is that mild discomfort during exercise is acceptable if it settles by the next morning. The physical therapist explains how to use this to guide your own progress.

Preparing for it

• Wear shorts so the therapist can see both knees, thighs and hips.
• Bring your usual walking or sports shoes, as footwear affects how the knee is loaded.
• Bring any X-ray or MRI reports and notes from previous treatment.
• List your goals, such as stairs at home, walking in the mall, playing football or kneeling for prayer.
• Note which activities cause pain and how long it lasts afterwards.

Afterwards

Muscle ache after strengthening is normal and settles within a day or two. Knee pain that stays higher the next morning is a sign to ease the load slightly, then build again gradually.

Keep active every day. For knee arthritis, reaching and keeping a healthy weight reduces the load through the knee with every step, and the physical therapist can link you with the hospital's weight management service if helpful. Desk workers benefit from straightening the knees and standing regularly, as long sitting stiffens the kneecap. Kneeling and sitting on the floor for prayer are practised gradually, with a cushion under the knees at first.

In the Sharjah heat, walk indoors or in the cooler hours, or use swimming and cycling for fitness.

Contact the hospital if the knee suddenly swells, locks so it will straighten no further, or keeps giving way. **Go to the emergency department straight away if the knee becomes hot, red and swollen with a fever, or the calf becomes swollen and painful.**

Cost and insurance

Most UAE insurance plans cover knee rehabilitation with a doctor's referral and pre-approval, usually with a session cap. Some plans require physiotherapy to be tried before approving knee injections or surgery, so keep a record of your programme. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you check your cover on 06 599 7777.