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Knee Pain

Barrington, IL · One-on-One · Evidence-Based

Individualized knee pain treatment with Dr. Julie Roy, DPT. Runner's knee, osteoarthritis, meniscus injuries, IT band syndrome, and post-surgical rehab -- every session is private and built around your diagnosis.

Knee Pain Is Rarely Just a Knee Problem

The knee sits between two joints that directly control how it moves: the hip above and the ankle below. When the hip is weak or the ankle is stiff, the knee absorbs forces it was not designed to handle. That is why knee pain so often returns after rest alone -- the symptom resolves, but the mechanical cause remains.

At Achieve Physical Therapy in Barrington, IL, Dr. Julie Roy evaluates every knee patient one-on-one, examining not just the knee itself but the hip, ankle, and movement patterns that load the joint during your daily activities. Treatment targets the source of the problem, not just the location of the pain.

No referral is needed. A free 20-minute injury consultation is available if you want to discuss your knee before scheduling a full evaluation.

Common Knee Conditions Dr. Roy Treats

  • Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)Anterior knee pain that worsens with stairs, squatting, prolonged sitting, or running. Often driven by weakness in the quadriceps or gluteal muscles, poor patellar tracking, or training load errors. One of the most common knee complaints in active adults.
  • Knee osteoarthritisGradual cartilage wear producing stiffness, swelling, and pain with weight-bearing activities. Research consistently shows that exercise-based physical therapy is the most effective non-surgical treatment for knee OA -- stronger muscles reduce the load the cartilage has to absorb.
  • Meniscus injuriesTears to the shock-absorbing cartilage between the femur and tibia, causing catching, locking, or sharp pain with twisting. Many meniscus tears, particularly degenerative tears in adults over 40, respond well to physical therapy without surgery.
  • IT band syndromeLateral knee pain caused by friction of the iliotibial band over the outside of the knee, common in runners, cyclists, and hikers. Treatment addresses hip strength, tissue mobility, and training load -- not just the band itself.
  • Patellar tendinopathyPain at the base of the kneecap, common in activities involving jumping, running, or heavy squatting. Tendons respond to progressive loading programs, not rest -- a well-designed strengthening protocol produces the most durable results.
  • ACL and ligament injuriesSprains and tears of the ACL, MCL, or other knee ligaments from sports, pivoting, or falls. Conservative rehabilitation can restore function for many partial tears and lower-demand patients. Post-surgical ACL reconstruction rehab follows a structured, milestone-based progression.
  • Total knee replacement rehabilitationDr. Roy has authored a Clinical Pilates Protocol for Total Knee Arthroplasty and integrates clinical Pilates principles into post-TKA rehab. The focus is on restoring range of motion, quadriceps activation, gait mechanics, and return to the activities you care about -- whether that is walking, golf, or getting back on the pickleball court.
  • Bursitis and effusionSwelling caused by bursal irritation or joint effusion. Treatment identifies and addresses the underlying mechanical irritant while managing inflammation through activity modification and targeted exercise.

How Dr. Roy Evaluates Your Knee

The knee evaluation goes beyond the joint itself. Dr. Roy examines the full lower extremity chain to identify why the knee is being overloaded.

Joint-specific testing Range of motion, ligament stability tests (Lachman, valgus/varus stress, pivot shift), meniscal provocation (McMurray, Thessaly), patellar mobility and tracking, and effusion assessment. These tests identify which structure inside the knee is generating symptoms.
Hip and ankle screening Hip abductor and external rotator strength, single-leg balance, ankle dorsiflexion range, and foot mechanics. Weakness or stiffness at either end of the chain changes how the knee absorbs force during walking, stairs, squatting, and running.
Functional movement assessment Squat mechanics, step-down quality, gait analysis, and sport-specific movements when relevant. These reveal the compensatory patterns that drive pain during the activities you actually need your knee to do.
Why this matters: Two patients with identical knee pain can have entirely different causes. One may have a meniscal irritation from a twisting injury; the other may have patellofemoral pain driven by weak glutes and a stiff ankle. The evaluation determines which treatment approach will produce lasting results.

Treatment -- What a Session Looks Like

Each session combines hands-on care with progressive exercise, selected for your specific diagnosis. Dr. Roy adjusts the approach as your knee responds and your function improves.

Joint mobilization. Joint mobilization restores patellofemoral glide, tibiofemoral motion, and tibial rotation. For post-surgical knees, mobilization progressively recovers the flexion and extension range needed for normal gait and functional activities.

Trigger point dry needling. Dry needling targets trigger points in the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, IT band, popliteus, and gastrocnemius that contribute to knee pain and muscle guarding. Releasing these points often produces immediate improvement in range of motion and weight-bearing comfort.

IASTM and cupping. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization addresses restrictions in the patellar tendon, IT band, quadriceps fascia, and calf musculature. Particularly effective for tendinopathy and post-surgical scar tissue management.

Therapeutic exercise. The foundation of every knee rehab program. Quadriceps strengthening (especially VMO activation), hip and gluteal strengthening, balance and proprioception training, and progressive loading through functional movements. For total knee replacement patients, Dr. Roy integrates clinical Pilates principles for controlled, low-impact strengthening that respects tissue healing timelines. Exercises progress from pain-free isometrics through closed-chain loading to sport- and activity-specific demands.

All treatment is delivered within the framework of orthopedic physical therapy, where every decision is based on your examination findings and functional goals.

What to Expect -- Timeline and Outcomes

Patellofemoral pain and IT band syndrome Most patients see meaningful improvement within four to eight visits. The key is correcting the underlying hip and ankle contributors while progressively loading the knee. Returning to activity too quickly without addressing these drivers is the most common reason knee pain recurs.
Knee osteoarthritis Exercise-based treatment produces significant improvement in pain and function for most patients with knee OA. A consistent strengthening program is the single most effective intervention, often reducing pain enough to delay or avoid joint replacement. Results build over weeks and hold when the exercise program is maintained.
Meniscus injuries Many meniscus tears respond well to conservative rehabilitation, particularly degenerative tears in adults over 40. A trial of physical therapy is recommended before considering surgical intervention. Improvement is typically progressive over six to eight weeks.
Post-surgical rehabilitation (ACL, TKA) ACL reconstruction rehab follows a milestone-based progression: protected weight-bearing in the early weeks, strengthening beginning around 6-8 weeks, running clearance around 4-5 months, and return-to-sport testing at 9-12 months. Total knee replacement patients work toward full range of motion and independent ambulation within the first 6-8 weeks, with ongoing strengthening for 3-6 months.
About the private-pay model: Because Achieve is not governed by insurance visit caps or time restrictions, sessions are a full one-on-one hour with Dr. Roy. Your rehabilitation progresses at the pace your knee allows, not the pace an authorization code permits. HSA and FSA are accepted, and a superbill is provided for out-of-network reimbursement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Clinical guidelines consistently recommend exercise-based physical therapy as the first-line treatment for knee osteoarthritis. Strengthening the muscles around the knee reduces the load on the joint surfaces, decreases pain, and improves function. Many patients are able to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery with a well-structured rehabilitation program.

Not always. Research shows that for many meniscus tears -- particularly degenerative tears in adults over 40 -- physical therapy produces outcomes comparable to arthroscopic surgery. A trial of conservative care is recommended before considering surgical intervention, especially when the knee is stable and there is no mechanical locking.

Descending stairs places the highest load on the patellofemoral joint -- the joint between the kneecap and the femur. Pain with stairs is a hallmark of patellofemoral pain syndrome and early osteoarthritis. Strengthening the quadriceps and gluteal muscles reduces the load on the joint and typically resolves stair pain within several weeks of consistent exercise.

ACL reconstruction rehab typically follows a 9-12 month progression: early range of motion and weight-bearing in weeks 1-6, progressive strengthening from weeks 6-16, running clearance around 4-5 months, agility and sport-specific training from months 5-9, and return-to-sport testing at 9-12 months. Timelines vary based on graft type, surgical approach, and individual healing.

It depends on the condition and the stage of recovery. Braces can provide support and confidence during certain phases of rehabilitation, but they are not a substitute for strengthening the muscles that stabilize the knee. Dr. Roy can advise on whether a brace is appropriate for your situation and when it is safe to wean off of it.

In most cases, yes -- and you should. The key is modifying which exercises you do and how you load the knee. Complete rest often makes knee pain worse by allowing the surrounding muscles to weaken. A physical therapy evaluation identifies which movements are safe, which need modification, and which to temporarily avoid.

No. Illinois law allows direct access to a licensed Doctor of Physical Therapy without a physician referral. You can schedule a knee evaluation or a free 20-minute injury consultation directly.

If knee pain is limiting your ability to walk, exercise, or stay active, a free 20-minute injury consultation with Dr. Julie Roy is a good place to start. No referral needed.

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Serving Barrington, Lake Barrington, Lake Zurich, Palatine, Deer Park, Inverness, and the NW suburbs.