First Assessment
Free
45 minutes, at home
- Full clinical examination at the patient's home
- The likely cause explained in plain language
- A realistic recovery plan and what it will cost
- No obligation to book any further sessions
The shaded lanes of Koregaon Park are made for walking, and a stiff, swollen or aching knee can quietly take that away. People stop going out, then avoid the steps at the gate, then sit more, which makes the joint weaker. A home visit is a good time to break that cycle, because the physiotherapist sees the surfaces and steps that your knee has to deal with every day.
For a general explanation of knee conditions and treatment, read our knee pain physiotherapy page. What follows is specific to Koregaon Park homes and routines.
Where the knee gets tested in this neighbourhood
- Bungalow entrances. Older houses often have a few steps from the gate or driveway up to the verandah, sometimes with a rail on one side only.
- Morning and evening walks. The lanes lined with old trees draw walkers. Roots can lift the paving, and uneven ground works the knee harder than a flat floor.
- Park paths. Osho Teerth Park, on D. H. Dhunjibhoy Road between lanes 2 and 3, and the Bund Garden area have paths that suit a gentle return to walking.
- Floor-level living. Praying, sitting on the floor to eat or getting out of a low sofa are all deep bends that may be painful.
- Apartment living. A lift can hide how weak the legs have become, until it is out of order and the stairs are the only way down.
What a home session for knee pain involves
After taking a history, the physiotherapist examines the knee: swelling, warmth, range of movement, the strength of the thigh and hip muscles, and how you stand and walk. Knee pain can come from arthritis, a ligament or meniscus problem, or a hip or back issue that refers pain downwards, so the assessment looks beyond the joint itself. Scans and X-rays may help, but they are not always needed before treatment starts.
Treatment typically combines exercises to strengthen the thigh, hip and calf muscles, hands-on work to ease stiffness, and advice on pacing so that you stay active without flaring the joint. Where there is also back pain, the plan on our back pain physiotherapy page for Koregaon Park may overlap with it. You are shown exercises that you can do in your own bedroom or on the verandah, and the physiotherapist watches you do them to make sure the form is right.
Stairs and walking, step by step
If steps are the problem, practice begins with a single step and a firm rail, going up with the stronger leg and down with the weaker one. Your physiotherapist will correct the rhythm and show where a family member should stand. Outdoor walking is added in stages: a few minutes on the flat, a rest, then a little more. A walking stick, a knee support or a change of footwear may be suggested, and sometimes a short break from long walks while a flare settles. Whether you return to the park path depends on your balance and the day's pain.
Looking after the joint between visits
- Do the prescribed exercises daily, and keep notes of any that cause pain so you can discuss them.
- Choose a firmer, higher chair with arms for your most-used seat.
- Walk at a time of day when the lane is quiet and the surface is dry.
- Keep a light on near the steps, and remove loose mats.
- If extra body weight is adding to the strain, discuss a sensible plan with your doctor.
Knee symptoms that should be seen by a doctor
A hot, red, very swollen knee, a knee that cannot bear weight after a fall, fever with a painful joint, or a calf that is swollen, hot and tender after surgery or a long journey needs prompt medical review. A knee that locks or repeatedly gives way should also be examined before exercise is added.
Booking in Koregaon Park
Request a visit through the booking page and say how many steps lead to your door. You can find more about routes and parking on our Koregaon Park page.