The most common knee injuries and how to prevent

The most common knee injuries and how to prevent

Like automotive tires, the knees are designed to support and help carry our body weight. Increasing the load increases the risk of wear. In fact, each additional pound over a healthy weight equivalent to three pounds of extra pressure on the knee joints when walking, and an extra 10 pounds when running.

Unfortunately, knee injuries are on the rise in children and teenagers, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Knee pain in general also increases in adults under 65 years of age. This includes the pain of osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, which occurs when the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones carries, causing joint pain.

"Obesity is one of the major risk factors for osteoarthritis of the knee," says Dr. John Theodor, Head of Orthopedics at the Women's College Hospital in Toronto. However, it does not explain why knee pain increases. We think it's because people are asking for more of life.

Women are two to three times the rate of knee injury compared to men; One reason might be that during the menstrual cycle there are changes in the way the brain controls the muscles that ensure the slips properly into the kneecap joint, according to the 2012 University of Texas research in Austin. There are also neuron-muscular, structural, musculoskeletal, biomechanical and even hormonal differences that increase our risk.

Here is a thorough look at three of the most common injuries.

Tears ACL

An anterior tear or split ligament (LUCA) tends to occur between the ages of 15 and 45, it is likely that more active people. ACL ligament prevents the tibia from slipping to the front of the thigh bone, and ensures stability of the knee. An ACL injury can occur in one of three ways: when the ligament is stretched (grade 1 strain); When stretched until now, it becomes loose (grade 2 sprain or "partial tear"); Or when it is divided into two parts (a grade 3 sprain or "complete tear"). The injury can occur with the movement creating unbearable pressure between the thigh bones and the tibia and change direction quickly or landing incorrectly after the jump. If you sprain or ACL your tear, you can hear a "pop" noise, or feel your knee gives you. Other symptoms may include pain, swelling, loss of movement and discomfort while walking.

According to research, osteoarthritis of more than 50 percent of people with ACL tears in one to two years after the injury.

Who is at risk: Women have a higher risk of ACL tears than men, says Theodor, and this is especially true in sports jumping and swinging like football, basketball and final Frisbee. There are several theories for this (for example, some women may have stronger quads than their hamstrings). But all theories need more research, says Agnes Markdowns, a Toronto-based sports physiotherapist and spokesperson for Sport Physiotherapy Canada, a division of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association. She says other risk factors include a history of untreated knee injuries, and doing sports on artificial surfaces (only to increase friction and cause the foot to stop abruptly).

Prevention: Anyone who is at risk, including developing athletes, can reduce their risk of LUCA ruptures and subsequent osteoarthritis by improving their neuromuscular control, says Theodor. Neuromuscular control exercises are designed to increase awareness of the reactions of the body position, alignment and balance; And strengthen the muscles involved to promote knee control in daily activities and tasks related to sports, such as landing a jump. A physiotherapist may suggest appropriate exercises.

Recovery: Treatment recommendations vary by age and need. Surgery is often necessary to treat a torn ACL, but a non-surgical treatment (strengthening and physical therapy) can be effective in restoring the function and strength of those with a low activity level (Leg, elderly ) And who do not want to undergo surgery.

The knee of the rider (femora-patellar)

This term is used to refer to various factors causing pain around the patellar bone located at the front of the knee. This may include misalignment of the kneecap (Leg, a hard knee), a previous injury, flat feet or weak thigh muscles.

Femoral pain is usually the result of overuse. Sometimes it is due to a degenerative disease caused by softening and cartilage degradation behind the patella along time, this is known as Hondo - maxillary patella.

Who is at risk: The proposed risk factors include certain anatomical features, such as angles of alignment of the hip and head and muscle imbalances around the hip and knee, overstraining and insufficient recovery, Markdowns said.

Prevention: Women can combat natural imbalances that put abnormal stress on your knees by maintaining a healthy weight, stretching before and after exercise, using the proper form of functioning and strengthening abductor muscles and hip gluteus ,

Recovery: Stop all activity and follow RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). After the pain and swelling have passed, rehabilitation exercises (prescribed by a physiotherapist) can help you regain full movement, strength, endurance, speed, agility and coordination. Surgery may be necessary to remove the patella from the damaged cartilage, or to realign the patella.

Mensal tears

There are two menisci in each knee; Both parts are wedge-shaped cartilage that act as shock absorbers between the femur and the tibia. You may feel a "pop" when a meniscus is torn (pain may or may not be present), but most people can continue to walk afterwards. Over the next two or three days, the swelling and stiffness of the knee can be slow.

Who is at risk? Everyone can suffer from a tear of the meniscus. Those who practice a contact sport like hockey are more likely to break the meniscus, although any sudden squatting and twisting of the knee can cause damage. The risk increases with age, as the cartilage weakens and wears out over time. A piece of meniscus releasable and skidding in the joint, resulting in a "block" or "deformation" of the joint. Inadequate treatment of a last injury, or incorrectly knee knee restoration, may also increase the risk, said Markdowns. "If you are dealing with a knee condition, it is a good idea to be evaluated by a trained professional [as a physiotherapist], who can determine the risk factors, assess their current condition and provide appropriate exercises To correct muscle imbalances and prevent rein jury future ".

Prevention: Tears of the meniscus, although common, can not be prevented by heating and stretching before activity. Since obesity is a major cause of knee osteoarthritis and pain in general, maintaining a healthy weight is a good strategy for avoiding the knee conditions, says Theodor.

Recovery: Stop all activity and follow RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Tears can heal, but some may require surgery to cut pieces that can not heal.

What is "water on the knee"?

This is an accumulation of excess fluid in or around the knee joint. It can be the result of trauma, excessive use, injury or underlying disease such as arthritis. Once the physician determines the cause (draining fluid and then testing, or by other methods such as a blood test), appropriate treatment will be decided.

Replacement of the knee

In Canada, 90 percent of knee replacements are performed due to osteoarthritis of irreparable damage. Most replacements last between 10 and 15 years which may require time for a second replacement, also known as revision surgery. The younger one is when a knee replacement is needed for most likely overhaul surgeries. Knee replacements are covered by provincial health care plans; However, there are waiting times. According to Canadian benchmarks, these wait times are expected to be more than 182 days / six months, but may actually be longer.