Knee Deep in Comfort: Physical Therapy for Knee Pain Explained
Understanding Physical Therapy for Knee Pain: Your Path to Relief
Ever wonder why your knee hurts when you climb stairs? You're not alone. That simple motion puts a whopping 346% of your body weight through your knee joint! Even walking places 261% of your weight on your knees with each step. It's no wonder that knee pain accounts for nearly 40% of all physical therapy visits.
Physical therapy for knee pain isn't just about managing discomfort—it's about addressing the root cause of your pain and building a stronger foundation for long-term joint health. At Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, we see knee pain as a puzzle that needs solving, not just symptoms that need masking.
Many people believe rest is the best medicine for knee pain, but that's often a myth. Targeted, therapeutic movement is actually what your knee needs most. Physical therapy for knee pain provides precisely that—carefully designed exercises that pump fluid through your joint while strengthening the muscles that support it.
When you visit us for knee pain, we start with a comprehensive evaluation to understand exactly how your knee functions. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan that may include hands-on manual therapy to improve joint mobility, customized exercises to build strength, and education about proper movement patterns to reduce stress on your knee.
What makes physical therapy particularly effective is its holistic approach. Rather than just treating the painful area, we look at how your entire body moves. Sometimes knee pain actually stems from weak hips or tight ankles—connections we're trained to identify and address.
The research backs this up too. Studies show physical therapy can be just as effective as surgery for certain knee conditions. In fact, among patients with meniscal tears, 70% who tried physical therapy first were able to avoid going under the knife altogether.
My name is Lou Ezrick, and after nearly two decades helping patients overcome knee pain, I've seen how the right physical therapy approach can transform lives. Whether you're dealing with osteoarthritis, a sports injury, or post-surgical rehabilitation, our evidence-based techniques can help you get back to the activities you love.
At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we don't just treat your knee pain—we partner with you on your journey back to an active, pain-free life. The combination of hands-on care, personalized exercise, and evidence-based approaches means you're getting the most effective treatment available, without unnecessary medications or procedures.
Knee Pain 101: Anatomy, Common Causes & Red Flags
Ever wonder why your knee hurts when you climb stairs? Understanding your knee's structure helps explain why physical therapy for knee pain works so well. Your knee isn't just a simple hinge—it's an engineering marvel that bears your weight while allowing you to move freely throughout your day.
Your knee joint brings together several important structures that work as a team:
The femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap)
Four main ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL) that stabilize the joint
Two C-shaped menisci that cushion between the femur and tibia
Articular cartilage that provides smooth movement
Muscles including the quadriceps (front of thigh) and hamstrings (back of thigh)
What makes your knee particularly vulnerable is its position between two long lever arms—your thigh and lower leg. Imagine trying to connect two broomsticks while keeping the connection both stable and flexible. That's essentially what your knee does all day! This balancing act explains why knee problems are so common.
As our own Dr. Kristina DeMatas often tells patients: "Your knee doesn't exist in isolation. It's greatly influenced by the mechanics of your hip and ankle. Many times what feels like knee pain actually stems from problems elsewhere in your movement chain."
Common Causes Physical Therapists Treat
At Evolve Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, we see a wide variety of knee conditions. Here are the most common ones we help patients overcome:
Osteoarthritis (OA) happens when the cushioning cartilage in your knee gradually wears down. If you're over 50 and notice your knee feels stiff in the morning or after sitting for a while, this might be the culprit. Physical therapy for knee pain from arthritis focuses on maintaining your mobility while building strength in the muscles that support your knee, taking pressure off the joint itself.
Meniscus Tears affect those C-shaped shock absorbers in your knee. You might have heard a friend say they "tore their cartilage." These tears can happen suddenly during a tennis match or develop slowly over time. Good news: research shows that physical therapy often works just as well as surgery for many meniscus tears, helping you avoid the operating room altogether.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (also called Runner's Knee) causes pain around and behind your kneecap. If stairs, squatting, or sitting through a movie makes your knee ache, this might be your issue. We typically focus on improving how your kneecap tracks and strengthening your hip muscles, which surprisingly have a huge impact on knee alignment.
Ligament Sprains happen when one of the four main stabilizing bands in your knee gets stretched or torn. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the most famous, but the MCL, PCL, and LCL can also cause trouble. Depending on the severity, physical therapy for knee pain from ligament injuries might help you avoid surgery or be essential in your post-surgical recovery.
Tendinopathy develops when tendons around your knee become irritated from overuse. "Jumper's knee" is a common example, affecting the patellar tendon just below your kneecap. Our approach addresses both your pain and the movement patterns that contributed to the problem in the first place.
Warning Signs to See a Doctor ASAP
While physical therapy for knee pain helps most knee problems, some symptoms shouldn't wait. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice:
Can't put weight on your leg without severe pain? That needs medical attention right away. The same goes for any obvious deformity or misalignment of your knee.
Intense pain that doesn't improve with rest, ice, or over-the-counter medications deserves a doctor's evaluation. Significant swelling that develops rapidly (within hours) is also concerning.
If you notice redness, warmth, and swelling accompanied by fever, don't wait—this could indicate an infection. Similarly, pain, swelling, and redness in your calf might signal a blood clot, which requires urgent care.
Did you hear a pop when you injured your knee, followed by immediate swelling? Or does your knee regularly buckle or give way during normal activities? These symptoms warrant prompt medical attention.
At Evolve Physical Therapy, we work closely with physicians to ensure you receive appropriate care. Sometimes this means starting with a medical evaluation before beginning your physical therapy journey. Your safety always comes first, and we're committed to getting you the right care at the right time.
When and Why to Choose Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
"While reducing movement for a short time can help, there's always something you can do to improve your knee pain, and it often starts with moving more—or moving smarter," explains Dylan Peterson, PT, DPT. This insight captures the essence of what we believe at Evolve about physical therapy for knee pain.
Many of our patients are pleasantly surprised to learn they don't need to wait for a doctor's appointment to start healing. Thanks to direct access laws in New York and most other states, you can come straight to physical therapy without a physician referral. This means you can begin treatment sooner—often saving weeks of unnecessary pain and preventing your condition from worsening.
The financial benefits are compelling too. One study found that choosing PT over steroid injections for knee osteoarthritis saved patients nearly $14,000 in total costs. Your wallet will thank you, and so will your knee! More importantly, research consistently shows that for many knee conditions, physical therapy for knee pain produces outcomes equal to or better than surgery, with significantly lower risks.
Insurance coverage is typically available when physical therapy is deemed medically necessary, though plans may limit the number of visits. At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we'll help you steer these details to maximize your benefits and minimize out-of-pocket expenses.
The scientific evidence supporting physical therapy as a first-line treatment continues to grow stronger. Scientific research on PT vs surgery includes a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine that found physical therapy was equally effective as surgery for meniscal tears in improving function and reducing pain over a 6-month period—without the risks of anesthesia or post-surgical complications.
Physical Therapy or Physician? Decision Tree
Wondering whether to start with PT or see your doctor? Here's a simple way to decide:
If your knee pain has lingered for more than a week despite home remedies, physical therapy for knee pain is often your best next step. Consider the severity: for mild pain (1-3 on a 0-10 scale), continue with home exercises for another week. For moderate pain (4-6), direct access to physical therapy makes sense. For severe pain (7-10), especially with sudden onset, see a physician first.
Have you tried RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) and over-the-counter medications without improvement? That's another sign PT might be your answer. However, remember those red flags we mentioned earlier—inability to bear weight, obvious deformity, intense unrelenting pain, significant swelling, signs of infection, or a popping sound at injury—all warrant immediate medical attention before starting physical therapy.
Conditions That Benefit Most From Early PT
Not all knee problems are created equal, and some particularly benefit from early intervention with physical therapy for knee pain:
Osteoarthritis responds remarkably well to structured exercise programs. Clinical guidelines consistently recommend PT as a core treatment for knee OA. Starting early can slow progression and help you maintain function for years longer.
People with patellar tracking issues often experience dramatic improvement with proper PT. When your kneecap doesn't glide smoothly, it can lead to pain and cartilage damage if not addressed promptly. The right exercises can retrain the muscles that control this movement.
Post-operative rehabilitation outcomes are significantly better when PT starts early. In fact, many of our Brooklyn patients benefit from "prehab"—physical therapy before surgery—which can lead to faster recovery afterward.
For sports injuries, early and appropriate loading of injured tissues actually promotes proper healing. This prevents those compensatory patterns where you favor one side, potentially creating a whole new set of problems.
At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we specialize in getting you started on the right treatment path quickly. Whether you come to us directly or through physician referral, our hands-on approach focuses on identifying the true source of your knee pain and creating a personalized plan to address it.
Inside the PT Session: Evaluation, Goal-Setting & Modalities
Your first physical therapy for knee pain session at Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation is comprehensive and personalized. We believe that understanding your unique situation is the foundation for effective treatment.
What Happens at Your First Visit
Your initial evaluation typically includes:
Subjective Interview: We'll discuss your symptoms, medical history, activity level, and goals. This conversation helps us understand not just your knee pain, but how it's affecting your life.
Pain Assessment: Using a numerical rating scale (NRS) from 0-10, we'll document your pain levels during various activities to track progress over time.
Gait Analysis: We'll observe how you walk to identify any compensatory patterns that may be contributing to your knee pain.
Range of Motion and Strength Testing: Using specialized tools, we'll measure exactly how much your knee can bend and straighten, and how strong the surrounding muscles are.
Balance Assessment: Simple tests like standing on one leg help us evaluate your proprioception (body awareness) and stability.
Special Orthopedic Tests: These specific maneuvers help us identify particular structures that may be involved in your knee pain.
Functional Task Analysis: We'll assess how your knee functions during everyday activities like squatting, stair climbing, or sport-specific movements.
Swelling Measurement: If swelling is present, we'll take measurements to track improvements over time.
Erica Fritz Eannucci, DPT, OCS, CMP, SFMA, notes that "Orthopedic physical therapists are highly skilled in the management of knee injuries," and this expertise is evident in the thoroughness of our evaluations at Evolve.
Core Goals of Therapy
Based on your evaluation, we'll establish SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) that typically address:
Pain Reduction: Using a combination of manual therapy, modalities, and targeted exercises to decrease pain and inflammation.
Restore Range of Motion: Improving how far your knee can bend and straighten safely.
Muscle Strength: Building strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and hip muscles that support the knee.
Balance and Proprioception: Enhancing your body's awareness of knee position to improve stability and prevent future injuries.
Functional Independence: Ensuring you can perform daily activities and return to sports or hobbies without limitation.
Prevention: Developing strategies to prevent recurrence of knee pain.
We may employ various modalities to complement your exercise program:
Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques including joint mobilization, soft tissue massage, and patellar mobilization.
Ultrasound: Using sound waves to treat muscle spasms and pain.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): A mild electrical current that blocks pain signals and promotes circulation.
Heat and Ice: Applied strategically to reduce pain and inflammation or improve tissue extensibility.
Bracing or Taping: To provide support and improve movement patterns.
The Big Three Exercise Pillars
When it comes to physical therapy for knee pain, exercises are the heart and soul of your recovery. At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we've found that focusing on three key pillars creates the strongest foundation for healing.
Strengthening Exercises in Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
Building strength in the muscles surrounding your knee isn't just about getting stronger—it's about creating a natural support system that takes pressure off your joint.
Quad sets might look simple (you're just tightening your thigh muscle while your leg is straight), but they're incredibly powerful. As Dr. Erica Fritz Eannucci often tells our patients, "These simple contractions effectively re-educate your muscles to fire properly and can significantly relieve pain early in rehabilitation."
When you're ready to progress, we'll introduce straight leg raises, where you'll lift your straightened leg while lying on your back. This gentle movement strengthens your quadriceps without putting stress on your knee joint.
Short arc quads target those final degrees of knee extension that are so crucial for activities like walking and climbing stairs. With a small towel roll placed under your knee, you'll focus on straightening your leg completely—a movement that's surprisingly challenging for many people with knee pain.
Bridges are a personal favorite of mine for patients. As you lie on your back with knees bent and lift your hips toward the ceiling, you're strengthening your glutes and hamstrings—key muscles that support healthy knee function—without putting direct pressure on the knee itself.
Don't underestimate the humble calf raise. Standing and rising onto your toes not only strengthens your calves but also improves ankle stability, which directly affects how your knee moves during walking and running.
Many people are surprised when we focus on hip abduction exercises. "Why am I working my hips when my knee hurts?" is a common question. The answer is simple—weak outer hip muscles can cause your knees to cave inward during activities, creating pain and dysfunction. Some specialists in our field believe that "sidelying hip abduction is arguably the single most important exercise for knee health."
Need a quick start? Check out our 6 Knee Strengthening Exercises You Can Do Right Now for some moves you can try at home.
Stretching & Mobility in Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
Tight muscles can pull your knee out of alignment, which is why stretching is just as important as strengthening in physical therapy for knee pain.
Heel slides are gentle yet effective. Sitting or lying down, you'll simply slide your heel toward your buttocks, bending your knee as far as feels comfortable. This helps restore normal knee flexion in a controlled way.
Tight hamstrings can create excessive pull on your knee, so we'll teach you several variations of hamstring stretches to keep these muscles at an optimal length. When done consistently, you'll feel the difference not just in your knee but in your overall movement quality.
Your calf muscles might seem far from your knee problem, but tight calves can dramatically alter how your knee moves. A simple stretch against the wall can make a world of difference in how your knee feels during walking.
The IT band runs along the outside of your thigh and can be a hidden source of knee pain when tight. We'll show you effective ways to address this often-overlooked tissue.
Before jumping into any exercise session, we always recommend a dynamic warm-up. Gentle movements like leg pendulum swings prepare your joints and muscles for activity, reducing the risk of aggravating your knee pain.
Balance & Proprioception Drills
The third pillar focuses on your body's awareness of where your knee is in space—something called proprioception that's often damaged when knee pain strikes.
Single-leg stance might sound simple, but it's surprisingly challenging and effective. Standing on one leg forces the small stabilizing muscles around your knee to engage, improving both strength and coordination.
For more challenge, we might introduce a wobble board or balance pad. These unstable surfaces create a controlled environment where your knee learns to respond to unexpected movements—crucial for preventing future injuries.
Step-downs are particularly valuable for reinforcing proper knee alignment. As you step down from a small platform, we'll guide you to maintain good form, training your body to move in ways that protect your knee.
As you progress, we'll introduce lunges in a carefully controlled manner. These functional movements build strength while challenging your balance and control—key components for activities like climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car.
For our athletic patients, specific return-to-sport tests ensure you're truly ready to get back in the game safely, not just feeling better temporarily.
Hands-On & Modalities That Amplify Results
At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we believe that exercises alone aren't always enough. Our hands-on approach often makes the difference between good and great outcomes.
Joint mobilizations involve gentle, skilled movements of your knee joint to improve mobility and reduce pain. These techniques can access restrictions that exercises alone can't address.
Soft tissue massage works on tight muscles and fascia to release tension and improve flexibility. Many patients find immediate relief from this hands-on work, making their exercises more effective afterward.
For kneecap (patella) issues, patellar glides help ensure proper tracking of this important bone. These specific manual techniques can dramatically reduce pain during activities like stair climbing.
We often complement our hands-on work with kinesiology taping. This strategic application of elastic tape provides support and feedback to muscles, improving joint alignment during daily activities.
According to scientific research on knee OA exercise, combining these manual techniques with a targeted exercise program produces better outcomes than exercise alone—especially for conditions like osteoarthritis.
The beauty of these three pillars—strengthening, flexibility, and balance—is that they work together to create a comprehensive approach to knee health. As one area improves, the others tend to follow, creating a positive cycle of healing that extends far beyond your time in our clinic.
Home Program, Safety & Motivation
What you do between physical therapy sessions can make or break your recovery journey. At Evolve, we design home exercise programs that fit realistically into your life while still delivering results – because the most effective program is one you'll actually do.
"The magic happens between sessions," explains Lou Ezrick, PT. "Those daily 15 minutes of home exercises often determine whether someone gets back to hiking or continues to struggle with stairs."
Most physical therapy for knee pain home programs involve performing exercises 2-3 times daily with 2-3 sets of 10 repetitions each. We typically recommend progressing every 2-3 weeks, either by adding resistance or increasing complexity – but always staying within a pain-free range.
The RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) remains a cornerstone of home care for flare-ups. Some patients benefit from adjunct supports like knee braces or kinesiology tape, which we can recommend based on your specific needs.
When it comes to heat versus ice, the general rule is: use ice for acute pain and swelling, especially after activity, and heat for chronic stiffness, particularly before exercise. However, pay attention to what feels best for your body – your response is the ultimate guide.
Building consistency is often the biggest challenge. Try habit stacking – attaching your exercises to an existing daily habit like brushing your teeth or watching the news. Tracking apps can provide helpful reminders and progress visualization, while finding an accountability partner (even your physical therapist!) can boost adherence by up to 65%, according to research.
Sample 15-Minute At-Home Circuit
Here's a quick, effective routine many of our patients perform daily:
Quad Sets: 10 repetitions, holding each for 5 seconds
Bridges: 10 repetitions, focusing on proper form
Heel Slides: 10 repetitions each leg, moving slowly and controlled
Calf Raises: 15 repetitions, using a counter for balance if needed
Single-Leg Stand: 30 seconds per side, near a wall for safety
Remember to warm up with a few minutes of gentle movement before starting. Safety is paramount – stop any exercise that causes sharp pain (though some therapeutic discomfort is normal), and don't hesitate to reach out if you're unsure.
"I tell my patients to imagine their knee rehabilitation like tending a garden," says Brooklyn-based physical therapist Sarah Johnson. "Daily attention, even briefly, yields far better results than occasional intensive work."
For more guidance on whether your specific knee condition would benefit from physical therapy, visit our detailed resource: Does Your Knee Need Physical Therapy?
Staying Consistent & Preventing Relapse
The journey doesn't end when your knee pain subsides. Physical therapy for knee pain is also about preventing future problems.
Set meaningful personal goals that inspire you – whether that's walking your daughter down the aisle pain-free, returning to your weekly tennis matches, or simply playing with grandchildren without thinking about your knees.
Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small. Did you climb a flight of stairs without pain? That's worth acknowledging! These victories build momentum and confidence in your recovery process.
As your knee strengthens, incorporate cross-training activities like swimming, cycling, or using an elliptical. These build overall fitness while being gentler on your joints than high-impact activities.
"One of the most impactful things you can do for knee health is maintain a healthy weight," emphasizes Dr. Peterson. "Each pound lost reduces knee pressure by four to six pounds during walking." This mechanical advantage makes weight management a powerful complement to your physical therapy for knee pain program.
Don't underestimate the importance of supportive footwear. Proper shoes that match your foot type and activities can dramatically improve alignment and reduce knee strain – something we often assess during your therapy sessions.
As Maria, one of our Brooklyn patients, shared: "I never thought I'd say this, but I actually look forward to my knee exercises now. They've become my 'me time' each morning, and I can feel the difference when I skip them. Plus, being able to take stairs again without wincing is pretty amazing."
Frequently Asked Questions about Physical Therapy for Knee Pain
How long does recovery usually take?
One of the most common questions we hear at Evolve is about recovery timelines. The truth is, healing isn't one-size-fits-all. Your journey depends on several factors—your specific knee condition, age, overall health, and how consistently you perform your home exercises.
As a general guideline, mild strains or sprains typically improve within 2-4 weeks of dedicated therapy. For moderate injuries or early osteoarthritis, expect a 6-12 week timeline to see significant improvements. If you're recovering from surgery, post-surgical rehabilitation usually spans 3-6 months, with milestones along the way. And for those managing severe osteoarthritis, physical therapy becomes more about ongoing management with periodic "tune-ups" to maintain function.
Most of our patients start with 2-3 sessions weekly at our Brooklyn clinic. As you gain confidence with your exercises and show improvement, we'll gradually decrease frequency, empowering you to take control of your rehabilitation.
How often should I do my exercises?
"The exercises that work best are the ones you'll actually do," is something I often tell my patients. Consistency truly is the secret ingredient to successful physical therapy for knee pain.
For most knee conditions, your stretching exercises should become part of your daily routine—ideally once in the morning and again in the evening. Your strengthening exercises need a bit more strategy; performing them every other day gives your muscles the recovery time they need to build strength effectively. Balance exercises can be brief (just 5-10 minutes) but should be practiced daily to reinforce those neural pathways.
A modest 15-minute routine that you perform regularly will produce far better results than an occasional hour-long workout when you happen to remember. Many of our most successful patients at Evolve integrate their exercises into existing habits—like doing heel slides while watching the morning news or practicing balance while brushing their teeth.
Can PT really help me avoid knee surgery?
"I was convinced I needed surgery until my physical therapist showed me another way," is feedback we hear surprisingly often. Research increasingly supports what we see in our clinic every day—physical therapy for knee pain can help many patients avoid or delay surgery.
The numbers tell a compelling story. Studies show that approximately 70% of patients with meniscal tears who commit to physical therapy first successfully avoid surgical intervention. For knee osteoarthritis, structured exercise programs demonstrably reduce pain and improve function, potentially pushing back or even eliminating the need for joint replacement.
Even with ACL injuries, which were once considered automatic surgical cases, rehabilitation through physical therapy can be successful for patients with lower activity demands or those who don't participate in cutting and pivoting sports.
That said, we're also realistic about limitations. Some conditions—like complete ligament tears in competitive athletes or advanced osteoarthritis with significant structural changes—may still require surgical intervention. In these cases, physical therapy serves a different but equally crucial role: pre-surgical preparation (what we call "prehab") and post-surgical rehabilitation dramatically improve surgical outcomes.
At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation, we're committed to giving you honest, evidence-based guidance about whether physical therapy alone might resolve your knee issues or whether a combined approach with surgical intervention would serve you better. Either way, we're here to support your journey back to pain-free movement.
Conclusion
The journey to healthier knees doesn't have to involve surgery or endless medication. Physical therapy for knee pain offers a safer, often more effective path to recovery that empowers you with skills to maintain joint health for years to come.
At Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation in Brooklyn, we've witnessed countless success stories – from the marathon runner who thought her racing days were over to the grandfather who simply wanted to play with his grandkids without wincing. Each recovery journey is unique, but the fundamentals remain the same: targeted exercises, hands-on techniques, and education that puts you in control of your knee health.
Healing isn't always a straight line. Some days you'll feel remarkable progress, while others might seem like a step backward. This is completely normal! What matters most is consistency and patience. The exercises and movements that feel challenging today will become second nature tomorrow.
One of our patients recently told us, "I came in thinking my knee pain was just part of getting older. Now I understand it was simply a problem that needed the right solution." This perspective shift is something we see regularly – knee pain isn't inevitable, and you don't have to simply live with it.
The knowledge you gain through physical therapy for knee pain becomes a toolbox you'll carry with you long after your formal treatment ends. You'll learn how your body moves, what strengthens and what strains your knees, and how to adjust your activities to maintain joint health without giving up the things you love.
Whether you're dealing with a fresh injury, chronic pain that's been bothering you for years, or recovering from surgery, our team at Evolve is ready to create a personalized plan that addresses your specific needs. We blend evidence-based techniques with compassionate care, understanding that your knee pain is more than just a medical issue – it's something affecting your quality of life.
Don't wait until your pain becomes unbearable. Early intervention typically means faster recovery and better outcomes. If home remedies haven't resolved your knee pain within a week, it's time to reach out for professional help.
For athletes and active individuals looking to return to sports, our specialized sports rehabilitation services can help you not just recover, but come back stronger. Learn more about our comprehensive approach at More info about sports rehab services.
Your knees carry you through life's trips – from everyday errands to your favorite recreational activities. Our mission at Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation is to keep you moving comfortably, confidently, and joyfully for years to come.