Knee
Conditions
Knee
Patella Tendonitis / OSIS (Jumper’s Knee)
Patella tendonitis is an injury that affects the tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone (tibia). The patellar tendon plays a pivotal role in the way you use your quadriceps leg muscles. It helps your muscles extend your knee so that you can kick a ball, run uphill, and jump in the air.
Patellar tendinitis is most common in athletes whose sports involve frequent jumping — such as basketball and volleyball. For this reason, patellar tendinitis is commonly known as jumper’s knee. However, even people who don’t participate in jumping sports can experience patellar tendinitis. Movement of the knee may cause a crunching sensation, called crepitus, directly over the swollen tendon.
Jumper’s knee can be classified into one of four stages, as follows:
· Stage 1 – Pain after activity, no functional impairment
· Stage 2 – Pain during and after activity, mildly limiting
· Stage 3 – Pain during and after activity, with difficulty performing
· Stage 4 – Complete tendon tear requiring surgical repair
Fascial manipulation has proven to help with multiple jumper’s knee conditions. The approach is to find where the adhesions are that is causing the biomechanical dysfunction in the fascia. Contact us today!
Meniscus Tears
A torn meniscus is a common knee injury. Any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee can lead to a torn meniscus. Each of your knees has two menisci — C-shaped pieces of cartilage that act like a cushion in your knee. The meniscus is made of fibrocartilage which gives it a rubbery texture. The meniscus only has a blood supply to its outer rim. In essence, it has little to no blood supply and therefore cannot heal itself from a tear.
Some report they felt a “pop” when a tear occurs. Most people can still walk on their injured knee. Many athletes can still play with a tear. Conservative treatment is sometimes enough to relieve the pain of a torn meniscus and give the injury time to heal on its own. There are more data showing that surgical repair on torn meniscus has increased the progression of arthritis in the knee.
The most common symptoms of meniscal tear are:· Immediate or delayed pain
· Stiffness and swelling
· Catching or locking of your knee
· The sensation of your knee “giving way”
· You are not able to move your knee through its full range of motion
Ligament Injuries
There are four main ligaments in the knee that can be injured. Injury to a knee ligament may be described as stretched (sprained) or torn (ruptured). Ligament ruptures can be partial (just some of the fibers are torn) or complete (the ligament is torn completely). Your knee joint may feel unstable and you may walk with a limp. Treatment of a knee ligament injury can depend on a number of things including which ligament is injured and how severe the injury is.
There are four ligaments in the knee that are prone to injury.
· Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – ACL injuries are the most common cause of injury to the knee with 95,000 occurring every year in the United States
· Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) – major ligament in the knee connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee
· Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) – outside knee ligament-medial
· Collateral ligament (MCL) – inside knee ligament
Grade 1 Sprains — The ligament is mildly damaged. It has been slightly stretched but is still able to help keep the knee joint stable.
Grade 2 Sprains — A Grade 2 sprain stretches the ligament to the point where it becomes loose. This is often referred to as a partial tear of the ligament.
Grade 3 Sprains — Commonly referred to as a complete tear of the ligament. The ligament has been split into two pieces, and the knee joint is unstable.
At EnovAte SportsMed, we have a focus protocol we designed based on the structure that is damaged. Everyone has their own individualized program they will follow. Contact us today.
Osgood Schlatter Disease
Osgood-Schlatter Disease is a common cause of knee pain in young children between the ages of 11-17 and adolescents who are still growing. This condition brings on pain and swelling below the knee joint on a prominence on the shin bone (tibia) called the tibial tuberosity. There may also be inflammation of the tendon/ligament that stretches over the knee cap and attaches to the top of the shin bone.
Sometimes, it develops for no apparent reason. However, overuse of the quadriceps muscles is thought to be a common cause. The quadriceps muscle is used to straighten the knee. This muscle pulls on the kneecap (patella), which pulls on the patellar ligament, which is attached to the upper part of the shin bone (tibia). Overuse of the quadriceps muscle can cause repetitive strain on the attachment of the patellar ligament to the growing tibia.
Common symptoms include:
· Pain just below your kneecap (patella)
· Bony overgrowth at site of pain
· Pain is usually worse during, and just after, activity. It tends to ease with rest
· Pain typically lasts a few months, but sometimes persists until you have finished growing
Shin Splints
Shin splints is an inflammation of the muscles, tendons, and bone tissue around your tibia or shin bone. Pain typically occurs along the inner border of the tibia, where muscles attach the knee to the ankle. Medically known as medial tibial stress syndrome, shin splints often occur in athletes who have recently intensified or changed their training routines. The muscles, tendons, and bone tissue become overworked by the increased activity.
Shin splints typically develop after physical activity. They are often associated with running. Any vigorous sports activity can bring on shin splints, especially if you are just starting a fitness program. People who have flat feet or recurrent problems with shin splints may benefit from foot orthotics. Shoe inserts can help align and stabilize your foot and ankle, taking stress off of your lower leg.
Common symptoms include:
· Pain that can be sharp and razor-like or dull and throbbing
· Pain occurring both during and after exercise
· Pain aggravated by running and jumping