Knee pain can feel like a sharp pain on the stairs, an ache around the kneecap after a run, swelling after a game, or a knee that feels like it might give way
At AVION Sports Rehab in Fort Lauderdale, we find the source of your knee pain by looking at your hip, knee, and ankle together, treat it with 1-on-1 physical therapy, Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling, and focused shockwave therapy, and rebuild the strength and stability your knee needs to stay pain-free.
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We treat ACL and other ligament injuries, IT band and running knee pain, knee arthritis, and rehab after knee replacement, surgery, or fractures for active adults across Fort Lauderdale and South Florida.
How does AVION treat Knee pain?
FIND IT.
A 60-90 evaluation of how your hip, knee, and ankle move and share load. We test strength on both legs, watch you squat, step, and land, and use diagnostic ultrasound to look at the tendons and soft tissue around the knee.
FIX IT.
Hands-on treatment matched to your evaluation, which may include:
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Manual therapy
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Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling: AVION is the first and only clinic in Fort Lauderdale using live ultrasound guidance
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Focused shockwave therapy, usually weekly sessions
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Red light therapy (photobiomodulation)
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Blood Flow Restriction training, which builds leg strength with light weights when the knee can't handle heavy loading yet
FORTIFY IT.
A progressive strength and movement program for the hips, thighs, and calves, building toward running, jumping, cutting, or whatever you want to get back to.
We set your goals together at the first visit, whether that's sitting through a workday, running a marathon, or squatting pain free
ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL tears and knee sprains
The four main knee ligaments: the ACL, MCL, LCL, and PCL, hold the knee stable when you cut, pivot, land, or change direction. A sprain or tear can leave the knee swollen, weak, or feeling like it might give way.
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At AVION in Fort Lauderdale, we treat ligament injuries with and without surgery, including rehab after ACL reconstruction. We rebuild the quads, hamstrings, and hip muscles that protect the knee, retrain landing and cutting, and use strength and movement testing to decide when you're ready to return to sport.
IT band pain and running knee pain
IT band pain is felt on the outside of the knee, often partway into a run, and can get sharper going downhill or downstairs. Running knee pain usually comes from how the hip, knee, and ankle share load, not from the knee alone.
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We analyze your hip strength, ankle mobility, and running gait to find the movement problem putting stress on the knee, then correct it with targeted strength work and changes to your training.
Knee arthritis, knee replacement, and fractures
Knee arthritis is wear of the cartilage that cushions the joint, which causes pain, stiffness, and swelling. We help you manage arthritis pain, restore motion and strength after a total or partial knee replacement, and recover after a knee fracture.
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The focus is on walking without a limp, getting up and down stairs and out of chairs, and long-term joint health. For arthritis pain, treatment may include focused shockwave therapy and red light therapy alongside exercise.
Meniscus tears
The meniscus is the C-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee between the thigh and shin bones. A tear can cause pain along the joint line, swelling, catching, or locking. We treat meniscus tears with and without surgery, focusing on strength, controlled loading, and a gradual return to twisting and squatting.
Kneecap pain (patellofemoral pain)
Patellofemoral pain is an ache around or behind the kneecap that's worse with squats, stairs, running, or sitting for long periods. It's common in runners and active adults, and it usually improves when the hip and thigh muscles control the kneecap better.
Patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy) or jumper's knee
Patellar tendinopathy causes pain just below the kneecap, often after jumping, sprinting, or heavy squats. We treat it with progressive tendon loading, and may add focused shockwave therapy or Blood Flow Restriction training for stubborn cases.
Who treats Knee Pain at AVION?
Team based interdisciplinary approach to patient care
Doctors of Physical Therapy and Board Certified Athletic Trainers with a combined 20 years of experience
Your care is led by
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Andrew Geil LAT, ATC, SSC, Cert. DN, Director of Sports Rehab
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Dr. Nicole Lescano PT, DPT, Cert. DN, BRM, TPI Clinic Operations Manager
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Dr. Brandon Berland PT, DPT, CSCS, ADN-Cert, SMT-1
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You see the same clinician from evaluation through discharge, so nothing gets lost between visits.
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30-60 minute treatments, 1 on 1 care. No techs, aides, or assistants. A full dedicated team to your recovery.
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Each clinician is skilled in barbell rehab, dry needling, regenerative rehab, sports massage and manipulations. With certifications in diagnostic ultrasound, strength and conditioning, TPI, running analytics and more.
When should I see a doctor instead?
See a doctor promptly if your knee pain comes with:
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Being unable to put weight on the leg after an injury
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A visible deformity, or a knee that locks and won't straighten
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A red, hot, swollen knee, or fever
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Redness, warmth, or drainage at a surgical incision
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Get emergency care for calf pain, swelling, or warmth in the leg, especially after surgery or a long flight. These can be signs of a blood clot.
Q: Do I need a referral to see a physical therapist for knee pain in Fort Lauderdale?
A: Nope! We are direct access which means we can see you directly without a script for 30 days. Most conditions are resolved within that time frame due to our system and process, but every patient and every case is different. That's why we tailor an individualized plan of care to address your specific needs.
Q: Can a torn ACL heal without surgery?
A: Many people with an ACL tear do well with rehab alone, especially if they don’t return to cutting or pivoting sports.
Q: How soon should I start rehab after knee replacement or ACL surgery?
A: Your surgeon will typically set the timeline. The sooner we start, the faster you recover!
Q: Can I keep running with knee pain?
A: Often yes, with changes to distance, pace, or terrain while we fix the cause. We never want to fully stop activity because the result is you become detrained, more susceptible to injury. We will modify training around your injury.
Q: Does shockwave therapy help knee arthritis?
A: Research has found focused shockwave improved pain, stiffness, and function for knee arthritis compared with standard physical therapy. Results vary from person to person.
Q: Do you take insurance?
A: We have the ability to courtesy bill. What that means is if you have a PPO plan we can bill your insurance. However, coverage depends on your policy and deductible which we have no control over. In our experience, most active adults have large deductibles, which means you'll be paying out of pocket regardless of where you go. So might as well get the best.
Get knee pain treatment in Fort Lauderdale
AVION Sports Rehab is in Flagler Village at 721 North Federal Highway, Retail Bay #4, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.
We're open Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and Saturday by appointment.
Fort Lauderdale knee rehab for active adults who want to run, jump, squat and climb stairs without pain.
