Twenty-five percent of all sports-related injuries are knee injuries. Skiers, football players, aerobic dancers, step-class participants and athletes who play basketball, tennis and racquetball all have one thing in common: a propensity for knee injuries. The knees are regularly under stress, not only from high-impact sports, but also from everyday activities such as squatting, stooping, kneeling and climbing stairs. The knees get bent, twisted and occasionally banged into during sports, but we can provide the treatment you need to get back into the game.
Knee problems are common for people of any age. The knees are made up of several kinds of supporting and moving parts including bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and tendons - each of which are subject to disease or injury. Some common sports injuries to the knee are:
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Tendon injuries - such as tendonitis (inflammation of a tendon) is a common overuse injury. Runners often develop pain at the back and outside of their knees, and athletes who jump a lot usually feel pain below the kneecap. Tendon pain is worse when you first get out of bed and eases during the day
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Cartilage injuries - which can be caused by overuse, impact, twisting movements or falls. These painful injuries make clicking noises and can make knees lock
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Ligament injuries - often caused by impact and falls. Ligament tears are called sprains
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Runner's knee - an overuse injury that may come on slowly or just after a longer or harder workout. It will go away when you stop running and return when you start again
How do knee injuries occur? Knee injuries usually are caused by overuse or impact. Overuse injuries occur when the intensity and length of regular workouts are increased. They are also associated with anatomical variations in the knees, feet or legs. Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis also can damage the knee.
Impact injuries are caused by direct blows sustained in contact sports such as basketball or football. Knee injuries can also result from falls, jumps or sudden knee twists when you're running, dancing or doing a step workout.
How are knee injuries diagnosed? Your doctor will diagnose your knee injury through:
Additionally, arthroscopy may be used to help make a final diagnosis, especially when there is:
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A suspected ligament tear
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Damaged meniscus cartilage
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Evidence of bone fragment from a fracture
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Joint pain from an injury
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Unexplainable joint pain
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Lesions or other problems detected by X-rays
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Joint disease
