What we see most
Common knee problems we treat
Pain with running or stairs
Patellofemoral pain and runner's knee, usually driven by hip and foot mechanics, not the knee itself.
Clicking, catching, swelling
Meniscus irritation and load intolerance, most of which responds to progressive rehab without surgery.
Stiff, achy, "getting old" knees
Early arthritis and tendinopathy. The evidence is clear: the strongest knees hurt least, at every age.
Why R1 is different
The knee is usually the victim, not the culprit.
Most knee pain starts above or below the joint: a hip that doesn't control rotation, an ankle that doesn't bend, a training load that jumped too fast. That's why a 15-minute assessment and a printed sheet of clamshells fails so often. Your evaluation at R1 is 90 minutes with the same doctor of physical therapy every visit, and it covers the whole chain, from how you stand to how you squat, land, and run.
Treatment blends hands-on work (manual therapy, dry needling, cupping) with progressive loading on a real training floor, so you don't just stop hurting, you leave stronger than before the injury.
Knee pain FAQs
Straight answers
Do I need a referral or imaging first?
No. Michigan allows direct access to physical therapy, and most knee pain is diagnosed accurately with a thorough movement exam. If imaging or a physician referral is warranted, we coordinate it.
My knee only hurts when I run or squat. Is that worth an evaluation?
Yes. Pain that shows up under load is the earliest and most fixable stage. Waiting until it hurts at rest usually means a longer recovery.
Is it arthritis? Should I stop training?
Arthritis on an image does not automatically explain your pain, and complete rest is rarely the answer. Most arthritic knees respond well to modified loading and strength work.
How long does knee rehab take?
Most non-surgical knee cases at R1 run 6 to 12 visits. You get a measurable plan with a defined endpoint at your evaluation, not an open-ended visit schedule.
Want the deeper read? Start with the three mistakes people make with knee pain.
Next step
Get your knee properly evaluated.
90 minutes, one doctor of physical therapy, first treatment included. Troy, MI.