Therapeutic Exercise for Knee Injuries

The knee is one of the most complex joints in the musculoskeletal system and one of the most exposed to injury. It plays a key role in walking, running, changing direction, and virtually all sports. The heavy load it bears, combined with the need for both stability and mobility, makes it a high-risk joint. For this reason, therapeutic exercise for knee injuries is the foundation of modern rehabilitation programs.

Today, we know that active treatment with structured exercise is more effective than isolated passive therapies. It improves strength, stability, and proprioception, speeds up return to sports or daily life, and lowers the risk of re-injury. In addition, knee telerehabilitation through digital tools like TRAK has been proven to increase treatment adherence and exercise precision thanks to real-time feedback.

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
  • Goals: restore full extension, reduce swelling, strengthen quads and hamstrings, and prepare the knee for a safe return to sport.
• Meniscus Tears
  • Goals: improve mobility, restore joint function, and strengthen muscles to protect the meniscus.
• Patellofemoral Pain
  • Goals: balance quad and glute strength, improve patellar mechanics, and reduce pain during activities such as stair climbing.
• Patellar Tendinopathy
  • Goals: apply progressive loading to improve tendon capacity and support return to jumping sports.
• Knee Osteoarthritis
  • Goals: increase strength, improve function, and reduce pain to maintain daily independence.

Statistics show that the knee is the most frequently injured joint in sports that involve jumping, pivoting, sudden stops, or contact. The most common include:

• Soccer: ACL and meniscus tears are frequent due to directional changes and impacts.
• Basketball: patellofemoral pain and patellar tendinopathy are common from repetitive jumping.
• Handball: cutting and sudden stops increase ligament injury risk.
• Volleyball: high prevalence of “jumper’s knee” (patellar tendinopathy).
• Skiing: twisting with the foot fixed in the boot carries a high ACL tear risk.
• Running: chronic overload injuries like chondromalacia and tendinopathy are most common.

In all these sports, prevention programs with knee strengthening exercises have been shown to significantly reduce injury rates.

• Individualization: adapt the load based on pain, swelling, and tolerance.
• Planned Progression: increase intensity and complexity gradually.
• Variety: combine strength, motor control, proprioception, and functional drills.
• Education: explain the importance of adherence and load management to the patient.

Quadriceps strengthening is one of the cornerstones of knee rehabilitation, as this muscle stabilizes the joint, absorbs impact, and protects the patella. Key benefits include:

• Improved patellofemoral stability in anterior knee pain cases.
• Reduced ligament load, especially after ACL injuries.
• Enhanced function in osteoarthritis, improving walking and stair climbing ability.
• Prevention of re-injury by increasing muscle endurance in impact sports.

• Early phase: quad isometric contractions, straight leg raises.
• Intermediate phase: partial squats, step-ups, single-leg bridge.
• Advanced phase: full squats, leg press, lunges, progressive jumps.

• Risk factors: valgus landings, fatigue, lack of strength, poor technique.
• Prevention:
  • Strength exercises for quads, hamstrings, and glutes.
  • Neuromuscular training with jumps, balance, and pivoting.
  • Proper weekly load planning to avoid overuse.

Telerehabilitation has transformed how patients recover from knee injuries. TRAK allows physical therapists to design online therapeutic exercise programs, track adherence, and correct technique in real time through its artificial intelligence system.

• Exercise library validated by physical therapists.
• AI to detect errors and optimize execution.
• Remote monitoring to boost motivation and adherence.
• Personalized plans tailored to patient progress.

• Avoiding exercise entirely out of fear of pain.
• Rushing progressions without meeting strength and stability criteria.
• Neglecting hip and core training, which are essential for knee function.
• Introducing jumps and directional changes too early.

Therapeutic exercise for knee injuries is the most effective intervention for recovery and re-injury prevention. Jumping and contact sports put knees at higher risk, but quad strength, neuromuscular control, and progressive programs make the difference in rehabilitation. Digital tools like TRAK enhance knee telerehabilitation, ensuring adherence, accuracy, and treatment continuity.