Knee Injuries
The dreaded knee injury. Many athletes cringe at the thought of torn ligaments in the knee. But the surrounding parts of the knee can impact knee injuries: thighs, knee joint, patellofemoral joint, quads and the upper shin. You know how it is…the knee bone is connected to the shin bone…it works as a unit. We’ll focus on alleviating the knee pain you’re experiencing and suggest therapy to get you competing again.
Inner / Outer Thigh Pain
Pain in the Inner or Outer Thigh can be an indication of a knee injury – or an injury that will potentially cause issues in and around your knee. Whether the cause is from nerves or from muscles, symptoms of an injury might include tingling, numbness, aching, swelling or sensitivity to light touch. Depending on the actual issue, the treatment for thigh pain will vary. Proper warm up as well as stretching of the surrounding muscles can help relieve the thigh pain.
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Knee Joint Injuries
The knee joint is a complex system of bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons. These all work together in concert to create flexibility, stability and movement. Each part of the knee needs to perform for the knee to function. While there are four bones that come together at the knee, it is only the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia) that form the joint itself. The stability of the knee joint is controlled by by four ligaments, thick bands of tissue that stabilize the joint. This is where the “alphabet cringe” for knee ligament tears come in: ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL. Knee joint injuries can be a result of overuse or trauma to the knee. Either will cause swelling, pain and redness.
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Knee Therapy
A knee therapy and treatment plan will depend upon the cause of the knee injury and pain. As a result, it is critical that you fully understand the nature of your injury and the symptoms before starting a therapy program. Normally, a treatment plan to reduce pain and restore function will focus on rest, ice and heat, compression, stretching, anti-inflammatory and stretching. Not all of these treatments are applicable to every knee injury, but expect some combination of these exercises to get you back onto the playing field. And, even still, you may need to wear a knee brace.
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Patellofemoral Joint Injuries
The Patellofemoral Joint is created by the junction at the kneecap (patella) and the femur. It is one of three knee joints in the body. Since the knee is a weight-bearing joint, there are many aspects that can damage the knee. Trauma, foot issues and chronic use can create damage and irritation. A common cause of knee pain is chondromalacia (CMP).
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Quad Injuries
The quadricep, or the quad as everyone calls it, is actually a group of four muscles that function to extend the knee and flex the hip. The vastus intermedius is found on the front of the thigh, deep to the rectus femoris. The vastus medialis is found toward the inside of the leg, while the vastus lateralis is found toward the outside of the leg. The vastus muscles all attach on the proximal femur, and run down the front of the leg, inserting on the patella through the quadriceps tendon. The rectus femoris attaches above the hip joint on the anterior inferior iliac spine, and courses down the leg inserting into the patella, again through the quadriceps tendon. Whew! Sounds like a lot! Here’s the point: your quads are really important in athletic activities, but are susceptible to strains as the most common injury. Normally, resting your thigh muscles and exercises completed in a therapy program can get you back and playing quickly.
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Upper Shin Injuries
The upper shin, or the tibia bone, is an integral part of the knee and forms the lower part of the knee system. Many are familiar with Osgood Schlatters disease, which is among the most famous knee injuries. While the tibia is among the strongest bones, a tibial plateau stress fracture can occur especially during a traumatic fall such a water or downhill skiing.
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