Real Patient Story: How Mary Got Back to Gardening After Knee Pain

Let me tell you about a recent patient we've been working with at Burwood Osteo & Rehab.

We’ll call her Mary**.

Mary is in her 70s. She has six grandchildren, the youngest is just one year old.

She’s a hands-on grandmother.

She lifts her grandkids in and out of car seats. She’s on the sidelines at AUSKICK. She gets down on the floor to play, then back up again to pick up toys or toddlers.

And that’s just one part of her week.

A Love for Walking and Gardening

Mary is also an avid gardener. It’s her happy place.

She walks daily — aiming for two walks a day, every day.

But for the past 6 weeks, her knee pain has been holding her back.

When the Pain Got Worse

Mary has always had a bit of a sore knee. But this was different.

The pain got worse with:

• Bending down with the kids

• Getting out of chairs

• Gardening and weeding

• Walking downhill or down stairs

At its worst, Mary described the pain as a sharp ache deep in the knee joint. It felt stiff most mornings, and kneeling was nearly impossible.

Getting Help Early

Mary is proactive.

After a particularly uncomfortable weekend, she booked in at Burwood Osteo & Rehab.

She hadn’t seen an osteopath before, but friends had recommended us.

When she came in for her first visit, we noticed right away that getting out of the chair was tough. She even found getting out of the car tricky.

Understanding the Bigger Picture

In our first session, we sat down and took a detailed case history.

We looked at:

• Her medical background

• How long the pain had been around

• Her current activities

• What her goals were (spoiler: back to gardening and playing with the grandkids)

Mary shared that:

• She wears a knee brace during flare-ups

• Colder weather makes her knee feel stiffer

• She hadn’t had scans but suspected arthritis

• She’d recently started using prescription pain relief

The Assessment

We began by observing how Mary walked into the room.

Was she limping? Favouring one side? Avoiding movements?

Then we ran a movement screen — asking her to stand, squat, and move in different ways.

One key sign: during a squat, she offloaded her sore leg. Classic compensation.

We also did some special tests — gentle orthopedic assessments that help pinpoint the structures involved.

The Treatment Plan

We started at the top, with her lower back and hips.

When the hips or spine aren’t moving well, it can put extra pressure on the knees.

We worked to improve her movement and reduce strain before moving down the chain.

From there, we treated:

• The back of her knee

• Her lower back and hips

• The calf and hamstring area

• Her foot and ankle mechanics (which also influence knee loading)

Helping at Home

We gave Mary a clear home plan with:

• Positioning tips (e.g. pillow use at night, how to get out of a chair more easily)

• Safe lifting strategies (especially for her grandkids!)

• Self-massage tools

• Strengthening exercises for her glutes, thighs, and calves

• Advice on bracing and managing flare-ups

She understood every piece of it. And more importantly — she did it.

Progress Over Time

At first, Mary came in once or twice a week.

Now, her appointments are spaced every 2–3 weeks.

She’s improving beautifully.

She’s still making small adjustments to how she gardens, but she’s back to her walks and lifting the little ones again.

What We Love About Mary

Mary is a perfect example of the patients we love working with:

• She sought help early

• She followed her plan

• She was consistent with her rehab

• She made smart lifestyle changes that eased pressure on her knee

Now, she’s back to doing what she loves, and has built strength and confidence along the way.

And yes! We’ve made a wonderful friendship during this time too.

What This Means for You

If you’re dealing with a sore knee,or any pain, take Mary’s approach:

✔️ Get help early

✔️ Understand what’s going on

✔️ Follow the right plan

✔️ Get back to doing what you love

We’re here to help guide you every step of the way. Let's get started

Frequently Asked Questions About Knee Pain

When should I see an osteopath for knee pain?

If your knee pain is stopping you from walking comfortably, gardening, playing with family, or getting up and down from a chair, it’s worth booking an appointment. The sooner we see you, the sooner we can get you on the right path.

Can gardening make knee pain worse?

Yes — repetitive bending, kneeling, or lifting in the garden can aggravate sore knees, especially if you already have stiffness or arthritis. Small changes to your gardening setup and how you move can make a big difference.

Is walking good or bad for knee pain?

In most cases, gentle walking can be helpful for keeping the knee moving and reducing stiffness. But if walking downhill or on stairs increases your pain, it’s best to modify your route and have your knee assessed.

Can cold weather make knee pain worse?

Some people, like Mary, notice more stiffness and discomfort when the temperature drops. Research in this topic is ongoing and is not well understood, however anecdotally many people experience a bit more aches in the cooler months. Keeping the joint warm with clothing or supports can help this.

Do I need scans before starting treatment?

Not always. In many cases, a detailed assessment can identify what’s going on without the need for imaging. If we suspect something that needs further investigation, we’ll refer you to your GP.