To decrease your client's knee pain, which muscles should be strengthened according to their doctor?

Strengthening the quadriceps is vital for decreasing knee pain, especially as this muscle group plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee joint. The quadriceps are a large muscle group located at the front of the thigh and are responsible for extending the knee. When the quadriceps are weak, it can lead to reduced support for the knee, resulting in increased stress on the joint and surrounding structures, which can exacerbate pain and discomfort.

Focusing on strengthening the quadriceps can improve knee stability and function, alleviate pain, and enhance overall movement patterns. This is particularly important for individuals suffering from conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome, tendinopathy, or osteoarthritis, where knee stability and proper tracking are often compromised.

The other muscle groups mentioned serve different functions. While strengthening the soleus and gastrocnemius, which are calf muscles, supports ankle stability and can indirectly affect knee mechanics, they do not target the knee joint directly in the same way the quadriceps do. The rectus femoris, part of the quadriceps group, is indeed involved, but it's more effective to refer to the entire quadriceps muscle group for a comprehensive approach to knee stability. The hamstrings, while important for knee flexion and also for