Sports Injuries

The knee is the largest joint in the human body, where the complex structures of the lower and upper legs come together. Consisting of three bones, the femur, the tibia, and the patella which are surrounded by a variety of soft tissues, including cartilage, tendons and ligaments, the knee functions as a hinge, allowing you to walk, jump, squat or sit. As a result, however, the knee is considered to be one of the joints that are most prone to suffer injury. A knee injury is the prevalent cause of knee pain.

A knee injury can occur as a result of a direct impact from a slip-and-fall accident or automobile accident, overuse injury from sports injuries, or even due to underlying conditions, such as arthritis. Knee pain is a common symptom which affects people of all ages. It may also start suddenly or develop gradually over time, beginning as a mild or moderate discomfort then slowly worsening as time progresses. Moreover, being overweight can increase the risk of knee problems. The purpose of the following article is to discuss the evaluation of patients presenting with knee pain and demonstrate their differential diagnosis.

The knee is a made up of a variety of complex soft tissues. Enclosing the knee joint is a fold at its membrane known as the plica. The knee is encapsulated by a fluid-filled structure called the synovial membrane. Three of these capsules, known as the synovial plicae, develop around the knee joint throughout the fetal stage and are absorbed before birth.

However, during one research study in 2006, researchers found that 95 percent of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery had remnants of their synovial plicae. Knee plica syndrome occurs when the plica becomes inflamed, generally due to sports injuries. This often takes place in the center of the kneecap, known as medial patellar plica syndrome.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing adolescents. It is characterized by the inflammation of the site below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap, or the patellar tendon, attaches to the shinbone, or tibia. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs during growth spurts when muscles, bones, tendons, and other tissues shift rapidly.

Physical activities can place additional stress on the bones, muscles, tendons and other complex structures of young athletes. Children and adolescents who participate in running and jumping sports have a higher chance of developing this condition. However, less active children and adolescents may also experience this well-known health issue.

In the majority of instances, Osgood-Schlatter disease will resolve on its own and the pain can be managed with over-the-counter drugs and/or medications. Stretches and exercises can also help improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, can also help relieve pain and restore the patient’s well-being.

Patellar tendinitis is a common health issue characterized by the inflammation of the tendon which joins the kneecap, or patella, to the shinbone, or tibia. The knee pain associated with this problem may range from mild to severe depending on the circumstances of the knee injury.

Patellar tendinitis, or jumper’s knee, is a well-known sports injury among athletes who play in basketball and volleyball. Among recreational volleyball players, an estimated 14.4 percent of them have jumper’s knee, where the incidence is even higher for professional athletes. An estimated 40 to 50 percent of elite volleyball players have patellar tendinitis.

The iliotibial band, or IT band, is a ligament that begins at the pelvis, along the iliac crest, and travels down through the outside of the thigh from the hip to the shin. Most frequently caused by overuse from running sports and activities, knots can develop along the IT band and on the lower side of the leg, causing the ligament to become tight and inflamed, a condition known as iliotibial band syndrome. Once the IT band contracts and shortens, the affected individual can experience symptoms of hip pain, lower back pain, and most commonly, knee pain.

A chiropractor can both diagnose and help treat many spinal injuries and conditions, such as a possible spinal misalignment. In the majority of cases, if the spine and pelvis aren’t aligned or these aren't moving properly, the altered gait can cause muscle imbalances and may increase the chances of developing iliotibial band syndrome.

Having a strong core can also be essential for runners in order to avoid developing injuries. Exercises such as planks, side planks, and crunches should be a part of a runner’s daily exercise routine to strengthen the core.

The use of foam rollers can also help relieve symptoms of pain. In order to alleviate IT band syndrome, an individual has to loosen up the knots along the iliotibial band.

And last, improper footwear may also cause running complications. There are a variety of shoes specifically designed to make running easier and much more comfortable. By following the above recommendations, runners can alleviate their iliotibial band syndrome pain and symptoms and return to their regular running activities.

Children between the ages of 9 and 15 are most commonly diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition which occurs when the patellar tendon, the tendon over the kneecap just below the knee and on the tibia or shin-bone, pulls on the growth plate of the bone. As a result, the region becomes inflamed, swollen, tender, and painful while participating in physical activities.

But, as with many other conditions, stretches, exercises, and other measures can be used to treat Osgood-Schlatter disease and alleviate the symptoms associated with the condition. 

Knee pain is a common health issue among athletes and the general population alike. Although symptoms of knee pain can be debilitating and frustrating, knee pain is often a very treatable health issue. The knee is a complex structure made up of three bones: the lower section of the thighbone, the upper region of the shinbone, and the kneecap.

Powerful soft tissues, such as the tendons and ligaments of the knee as well as the cartilage beneath the kneecap and between the bones, hold these structures together in order to stabilize and support the knee. However, a variety of injuries and/or conditions can ultimately lead to knee pain. The purpose of the article below is to evaluate patients with knee pain.

Chondromalacia patellae, also referred to as runner’s knee, is a health issue in which the cartilage beneath the patella, or kneecap, becomes soft and ultimately degenerates. This problem is prevalent among young athletes, however, it may also develop in older adults who suffer from arthritis of the knee.

Sports injuries like chondromalacia patellae are frequently regarded as an overuse injury. Taking some time off from participating in physical activities and exercise may produce superior outcomes. In the instance that the individual’s health issues are due to improper knee alignment, rest may not offer pain relief. Symptoms of runner’s knee include knee pain and grinding sensations.

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson, or SLJ, syndrome is a debilitating knee condition that most commonly affects teens during periods of rapid growth. The kneecap, or patella, is attached to the shinbone, or tibia, from the patellar tendon. The tendon connects to an expansion plate at the bottom of the kneecap throughout growth.

Repetitive stress on the patellar tendon can make the growth plate within the knee become inflamed and irritated. SLJ mainly develops in children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 because that is when most people experience growth spurts. SLJ is most common in young athletes due to excess or repetitive strain in the knee.

Running injuries can occur unexpectedly over a variety of reasons and situations. Once you’ve suffered an injury as a result of running, time and patience will be a key element towards recovery and it’s important to give your body the proper time to heal. Using over-the-counter medication for the symptoms of pain and cold therapy to reduce the inflammation around the injury, are all temporary ways to relieve an individual’s injury or condition. But, ultimately, chiropractic care can be a great treatment option for runners. Chiropractic treatment focuses on musculoskeletal injuries, or soft tissue injuries, which can help heal many types of injuries, symptoms and conditions as well. Runners can greatly benefit from chiropractic care.

Apophyses are growth plates made up of cartilage that can be found throughout a child's body, functioning as attachment sites between muscles and tendons. 

When a young athlete participates in physical activities or sports where a specific set of muscles is constantly overused, such as the thigh muscles while running or jumping, the apophyses can weaken. The repetitive stretching of the apophysis can cause microscopic cracks in the cartilage growth plate, resulting in pain and inflammation. 

Sinding Larsen Johansson syndrome (SLJ) is a condition that occurs at the bottom of the kneecap due to the additional stress of the apophysis being repetitively stretched during physical activities or sports. This condition can also occur from a direct, blow, fall, or one sudden jump.