The Oklahoma Guide to Recovering From Knee Injuries — And Why Balance Matters
Knee injuries can affect gait, strength, and overall stability — sometimes leading to dizziness or imbalance during recovery. This guide explains what physical therapy can treat, what typically requires surgery, and when vestibular screening helps improve outcomes after knee injuries.
Why Knee Injuries Are So Common in Oklahoma
Whether you’re a weekend pickleball player, a high school athlete, or someone who works on your feet all day, knee injuries are part of Oklahoma’s active lifestyle.
Common conditions include:
ACL sprains
Meniscus tears
Patellar pain
Tendon irritation
Post-surgical stiffness
PT helps restore movement and prevent long-term stiffness or weakness.
How Knee Injuries Impact Balance
Your knee doesn’t operate alone — it works with your hips, ankles, and even your inner ear to keep you balanced when walking and turning.
After an injury or surgery, many patients notice:
Wobbliness
Trouble changing direction
Fear of falling
Dizziness when first standing
Part of this instability comes from the joint itself. But another part can come from the vestibular system, especially if BPPV develops during a period of limited mobility.
When Physical Therapy Helps Most
PT supports recovery with:
Strengthening and stability
Range of motion restoration
Safe return-to-sport planning
Gait and balance training
Vestibular screening and fall-prevention
A comprehensive program helps reduce reinjury risk.
When Surgery Is Needed
Some injuries — like full-thickness ACL tears or displaced meniscus tears — require surgical repair. Even then, prehab + post-op PT helps patients recover faster, walk better, and regain strength safely.
