With school back in session, fall sports are in full swing! Yes, that means football and cheerleading! Golf and tennis! Cross country and track! And girls’ soccer and volleyball!
It is time to lace up your cleats or put on your fan gear. Either way, you should be aware of the common knee injuries that could occur on the field or track and how they are treated. Some of the more common injuries include fractures, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and meniscus tears.
If you or a loved one is injured on or off the field here in East Tennessee, you can head over to ORTHOKnox so the board-certified surgeons and on-site physical therapists can provide you with the best treatment available.
1. Fractures
How do they occur?
Fractures in the knee are usually the result of a heavy impact on the kneecap. In sports, this can look like a keeper dropping to stop a soccer ball or a football player pushing for that extra yard and landing hard on one knee.
In addition, a tough tackle in football or tumble from the cheerleading pyramid can result in a fracture of the thigh bone or shin bone that extends into the knee joint.
Symptoms can include pain, swelling, bruising, loss of motion, inability to bear weight, or deformity of the displaced bone.
How are they treated?
While it may be tempting to push through and stay on the field, this can worsen the damage of a fracture and harm the surrounding soft tissues. Head over to ORTHOKnox in order to prevent further damage to your knee, get treatment, and get back on the field.
At ORTHOKnox, your doctor will immobilize the bone and apply a cast or brace depending on the location of the fracture. Surgery, typically minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery, may be necessary if bones are displaced or parts of the joint are damaged.
After the fracture heals, the physical therapists on site at ORTHOKnox can help restore strength and movement of your knee.
2. ACL Tears
What is it?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally across the top of the knee and prevents the shin bone from moving forward and rotating inward on the thigh bone. Most of the movements involved in dodging around defense in football could result in an ACL tear. Cutting sharply, abruptly stopping, landing incorrectly, or a rough tackle are all movements that can result in tears.
Symptoms of an ACL tear can include pain, swelling, loss of mobility and range of motion, and instability.
How is it treated?
The board-certified surgeons at ORTHOKnox offer various options for ACL reconstruction involving different grafts in order to help you heal and return to your sport. After ACL reconstruction, the on-site physical therapists at ORTHOKnox help to restore the range of motion, flexibility, and strength of your knee in order to help you return to your sport.
3. Meniscus Tears
What are they?
Your meniscus helps to stabilize your knee joint and smooth the movement between the thigh bone and the shin bone. Meniscus tears usually occur with twisting of the knee such as in a soccer tackle or football tackle or pivoting in tennis to reach the ball.
Symptoms include pain, swelling, locking or catching of the knee, and instability.
How are they treated?
Your doctor at ORTHOKnox will first conduct a physical exam which may include X-rays and an MRI to assess the injury and determine the best treatment. Options range from rest to surgery, usually minimally-invasive arthroscopic surgery, depending on the location of the tear. Physical therapy is then necessary in order to restore range of motion and strengthen the knee.
Getting Treatment
Even as the summer heat breaks, it is time to gear up and break a sweat on the field. But don’t sweat finding reliable doctors in Knoxville. With its board-certified surgeons and new Urgent Orthpaedic Care, ORTHOKnox has got you covered.
For more information about how ORTHOKnox can treat your knee injury, call (865) 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you.
