People who live an active lifestyle, especially those who are engaged in sports, are prone to various injuries in different parts of the body. One of the most injury-prone body parts is the knee. As small as the knees look, these probably have the “heaviest” jobs as far as body parts are concerned, given that the knees are in charge of bearing your weight and movement.
Common Knee Injuries
Knee injuries often occur due to the natural wear and tear of the tissues and bones that comprise the knee. People who live an active lifestyle are most susceptible to these injuries. Pain and swelling are obvious manifestations that your knee is injured. The different kinds of knee injuries include:
Dislocation
This happens when the femur and tibia, most commonly known as the thigh bone and shinbone, respectively, are forced out of alignment. The dislocation can be partial or complete. It is usually caused by trauma triggered by a hard fall, accident, or forceful contact through sports. You can also dislocate your knee if your foot is planted and you suddenly change directions. An abnormality in the structure of your knee can cause dislocations, too.
You can prevent dislocations by strengthening your knees through proper exercise and making sure to stick to the proper techniques when exercising, working out, or playing sports. Wearing knee sleeves can also provide additional support. However, if the instability in your knee becomes worse, or the injury doesn’t seem to be healing over time, then it’s time to see a doctor.
Fracture
This usually happens to the kneecap which is supposed to protect the knee. A hard fall and impact, like from a car crash, can cause the kneecap to break in two or into several pieces.
If you intend to manage the fracture at home, you can try icing the affected area, immobilizing it, and keeping the affected leg in an elevated position. Taking pain relievers is suggested, too. However, if the pain isn’t subsiding or gets intense, consult your doctor as he or she may recommend other forms of treatment such as surgery.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
The ACL is one of the knee’s major ligaments. People who engage in sports that involve plenty of jumping, sudden stops, and quick changes in direction (like basketball players, gymnasts, soccer players, football players, tennis players, and skiers) are at higher risk for tearing their ACL. A loud popping sound is a clear indication of an ACL tear.
Core exercises to strengthen the hips, lower abdomen, and pelvis can prevent an ACL tear. You can also ask an athletic trainer to teach you the proper knee position when jumping and landing. It’s advisable to consult with a doctor right away as soon as you expect an ACL tear.
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
This injury occurs when the MCL is stretched, thereby resulting in a partial or complete tear on the ligament.To prevent an MCL injury, engage in exercises that strengthen the hip and thigh muscles. Resting, icing, compressing or immobilizing, and elevating the injured knee are first aids for an MCL injury.
These are just some of the common knee-related injuries that you may experience especially if you have an active lifestyle. Through proper management and preventive measures, you will be in a better position to avoid becoming inconvenienced by any of these injuries.