Knee injuries are on of the most common injuries.  Here is information on common knee injuries and how to avoid them.

Despite its size and appearance the knee joint is structurally not very strong and is therefore prone to many injuries.
The knee’s main function is to act as a hinge and to absorb shock when doing things such as running, walking, kicking etc.  It is the muscles, ligaments and tendons around the knee that actually hold the knee together and give it stability.

A common knee injury is knee sprain and can occur if the knee is wrenched or twisted or subjected to a severe blow.  Unfortunately ligaments are not overly flexible although they are quite strong and are subject to tearing.  In extreme circumstances the ligaments may actually pull completely away from the bone.

Another common knee injury is a torn cartilage.  This can occur when the knee is weight bearing and then subjected to a sudden twist or movement.  Wear and tear over a long period of time can also damage the cartilage.  Arthritis is a common precursor to knee pain as it can damage the cartilage and cause considerable pain.

One of the biggest causes of knee injuries is overuse.  Runners are prone to this sort of problem because of the stresses they put on their knees.  As mentioned earlier one of the functions of the knee is to act like a shock absorber.  Overuse can cause the shock absorber to wear away and break down.  Because this is a gradual process it is often not diagnosed until it is quite serious.  Runners know this as "runner’s knee". 

Overuse of muscle tendons can cause tendonitis.  The pain of tendonitis is caused by irritation of the tendons.

Another knee problem is called Iliotibal Band Syndrome.  The iliotibial band is a thick band of tissue that runs from the hip to the outer side of the tibia or shin bone ending just below the knee joint.  This band of fibrous tissue is crucial in providing stability to the knee joint, especially when running. 

Normally this band glides over the bone smoothly supplying support to the knee.  However, if the Iliotibal Band is inflamed, repetitive movement like running or cycling can cause this tissue to not glide smoothly and result in pain when the joint is moved.
 
Most injuries can take a considerable amount of time to heal. This can be from weeks to months and may require knee injury therapy.

There are simple ways to reduce or prevent these sorts of knee injuries.  Here are a few:

    a/ Warm up and stretch before vigorous exercise and ensure you take time to cool down and stretch after exercising.
    b/ Build up your exercise routine gradually.  Start by exercising lightly and slowly increase the intensity.
    c/ Ensure your knees and feet are in alignment while exercising.
    d/ Strengthen your leg muscles so they can provide more stability and support for your knee.
    e/ Wear suitable shoes that provide stability and cushioning.
     f/ Don’t exercise on hard surfaces.
    g/ If cycling ensure the seat is correctly set up for you legs and pedals.

If pain lasts for more than 72 hours then it is advisable to seek medical advice.

Written by Kerry Northey

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Knee braces (also called knee pads or knee supports) have  not only become the primary protective gear to assist numerous knee joint problems but are also used to help prevent knee injuries and for support following orthopedic knee surgery. Knee braces are used extensively in sports medicine to help injured athletes. Knee braces generally fall into two categories, functional and commercial knee braces.

Functional braces have become the preferred support for people suffering from an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear, ligament damage and several other knee injuries.  They are used to take the strain from the injured part basically allowing the knee to work as it would if it wasn’t damaged.  Many people who use functional braces can continue many activities and sometimes postpone knee surgery. Functional braces do have some limitations and are not recommended for use in strenuous situations. Even though they could never be considered a  lasting alternate to the knee’s own ligaments, they can give much needed stability to the knee and in many situations provide more than adequate support, certainly being more helpful than not using a brace at all.

If you are contemplating using a functional knee brace you should firstly consult your health care professional. Whether or not to use a brace depends on several factors e.g. which ligament has been damaged, which sport the person wishes to undertake, whether any knee rehabilitation has been done and so forth.  It is important for the injured person to realise that although a functional knee brace may prevent further injury it will probably not do much to speed up the healing process of the knee.  Proper rehabilitation including knee strengthening exercises and physical therapy will never be superseded by using a knee brace.

Some athletes, however, use knee braces to help prevent injury even though there have not been any studies that show definite results that they are effective in doing this.  There does appear to be less MCL (medial collateral ligament) tears in athletes using braces even though this cannot definitely be attributed to the braces solely.  There has been some concern that using a brace to prevent injury could actually increase the risk of injury as it may reduce knee movement. Studies have disproved thistheory where the brace has been correctly and professionally fitted.

There are several commercial knee braces on the market.  Probably the best known brand is Futuro.  Their knee support is made to provide solid and comfortable support for people who have weak muscles, tendons or ligaments and help to stop any injury. With the Futuro brace knee movement is not hindered and so it does not have to be solely for use during sporting activities but can provide help anytime the user feels he or she needs a bit of extra support.

Magnetic Wave Knee Support provides support with the addition of Magnetic therapy. It is available in several sizes and has magnets sewn into the material. For treating aches, sprains and similar problems, the HoMedic Knee Support is very good as it allows the user to apply heat or cold therapy to the affected area. If knee arthritis is a problem then relief can be obtained with the Mueller Sport Care Knee Support Open Patella.  It is also helpful for minor sprains and strains. This brace is designed to retain body heat to assist lower pain. It helps preserve knee flexibility. It has an open patella and adjustable straps. It is made from stretch nylon and provides a comfortable fit and is simple to put on and remove.

There are several other types of knee braces including Tese braces that reduce pressure on the knee joints, braces for use after knee surgery to immobilise the knees and special braces for arthritic conditions.

www.orthopedickneesurgery.net

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They also know that all it takes is for a poor warm up, plus a sudden twist, to have a serious knee injury occur. Many professional runners have a knee brace on hand, because the support that they can provide can really help reduce knee injuries.

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Mild knee injuries generally need a simple knee sleeve to help out keep the knee warm and to remind you to keep away from movements that might bring on further pain. The next level up is a knee sleeve with uncomplicated or simple hinged knee brace.

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A knee brace can also help support the muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the joint, helping to reduce inflammation caused by conditions such as bursitis, or meniscal tears.

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Technorati Tags: brace, braces, injuries, injury, knee, ligament, orthopedic, pad, support, surgery

Knee pain can be debilitating and caused by various reasons. Here is a discussion about the various causes and their treatment.

One of the parts of the body that is prone to injury is the knee. A complex joint, we use our knees for most activities like sitting down, standing up, walking, running, and so on. Being one of the main weight-bearing joints, it bends, straightens, rotates and twists, all of which make it susceptible to overuse or acute knee injuries, resulting in knee pain.

Generally speaking, knee pain can be categorized as either acute, or immediate, or chronic knee pain that is long-term. Chronic knee pain can occur due to inflammation, e.g., arthritis, or from injuries, and sometimes because of infection.

Knee Pain Caused by Acute Injuries

Acute injuries can affect the ligaments, tendons, and bursae that surround the knee joint. Or knee pain can also be caused by injury to the meniscus, bones and cartilage that make up the knee joint. Acute knee injuries are usually caused by falling or twisting the joint. Sports that require fast turning, abrupt stopping, jumping and running like baseball, tennis, basketball, hockey, or soccer increase the chances of acute injury to the knee, resulting in knee pain.

Fracture of the knee can also be categorized as an acute knee injury, which can affect any of the bones that make up the knee joint. Fractures in the knee joint is usually serious and may require surgical intervention in order to repair it along with the joint being immobilized by a cast or other forms of support.

As for injuries of the ligaments, they are usually treated at first by immobilizing the affected knee and using ice packs, along with elevation and rest. If the injuries are severe, however, open surgery or arthroscopic surgery may be required to alleviate the knee pain. Tears of the meniscus usually need to be repaired by arthroscopic surgery.

Knee Pain Caused by Overload or Overuse Injuries

Knee pain is also caused by overload or over use injuries of the knees such as bursitis, tendonitis, and muscle strain, which can develop slowly over weeks or days. Initially, the knee pain is usually sporadic and mild, which becomes worse with time. When stress is caused on tendons and muscles, it results in tiny tears in them. The pain is caused by the resultant inflammation, which is part of the process of healing. These tears in the muscles and tendons must be given time to heal before performing similar activity that caused them. Overuse knee injuries should be treated promptly in order to prevent the knee pain becoming chronic.

The treatment for tendonitis involves immobilizing the knee with the help of a knee brace, ice packs, anti-inflammatory medications, and rest. Later therapeutic exercises can help in rehabilitating the tissues around and in the affected tendon. If a tendon in the knee is ruptured, however, it often requires surgery to repair it.

The treatment of bursitis in the knee is also ice packs, along with anti-inflammatory drugs and immobilization of the knee joint. Corticosteroid injections may also be given at the location, along with physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the front area of the thigh.

Knee Pain Caused by Runners Knee

Also referred to as anterior knee pain or patellofemoral pain, runners knee is one of the most common causes of knee pain that affects young people. It is felt behind the patella, or the kneecap, and is a diffuse kind of pain. The pain usually worsens after running, jumping, climbing stairs, or after sitting for a period of time. Knee pain caused by runners knee is mainly treated by appropriate physical therapy exercises advised by a physical therapist or doctor. High-impact activity should be avoided in case you are suffering from runners knee.

Knee Pain Caused by Arthritis

Knee pain is also caused by various types of arthritis affecting the knee joint, such as osteoarthritis, which is non-inflammatory, wherein the cartilage of the knee degenerates, or the inflammatory kinds of arthritis like gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and so on. The treatment of these conditions has to be done according to the individual requirement of each.

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Technorati Tags: arthritis, Diagnose Knee Pain, injuries, runners, running, treatment

Sport – Soccer: Edwin van der Sar will breathe easy afterlearning that  Ben Foster has acute knee knack.

Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster faces a lengthy period out of the game as he prepares to undergo cruciate ligament  surgery on his cruciate knee ligament .

Ben Foster started having knee problems at the end of the season.  The problem was diagnosed by England and the United medical staff when he reported for international duty a few weeks ago.

A United representative says: “Ben Foster has a cruciate ligament injury in his right knee and will require an operation in two to three weeks’ time.” Unfortunately, United could not give a date when Foster is likely toreturn, but it is definite that he will miss the the few matches of the Premiership season.

Foster enjoyed an excellent loan period at Watford last season, where his performances gained him a first England cap in February. He had been tipped by many to replace Edwin van der Sar as United’s first choice keeper next season, but today’s injury may spell the end of those hopes.

Bullard Prays for Smooth Knee Operation

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Champions League Preview

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The 34-year-old underwent knee surgery after damaging his knee ligaments against Aalborg in the Champions League at the end of September.

Manchester United’s Ben Foster to Undergo Knee Surgery

Soccer: Edwin Van Der Sar will breathe a sigh of relief after it emerged Ben Foster is suffering from acute knee-knack.

Technorati Tags: ben foster, cruciate, injuries, injury, knee, ligament, posterior, surgery