subject: Types of Minor Knee Injuries [print this page] Types of Minor Knee Injuries
In part 2 of our Knee Injury Series, we want to address the most common types of knee injuries. The knee is a complex part of the body and bares a lot of weight, making it more prone to injury than most joints. It is estimated that every year approximately 5 and half million Americans visit the doctor for knee issues and injuries. Most injuries are the result of a sudden twist or turn, but there are also degenerative knee injuries that arise over time due to wear-and-tear.
We will begin with the lesser injuries. While these injurious tend to be less severe, they are still inconvenient and at time painful.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (aka PFPS or Runner's Knee)
PFPS is a good example of a wear-and-tear, degenerative injury. Often found in runners hence the nickname Runner's Knee PFPS usually arises when the cartilage around the knee is worn down after repeated movement, allowing the kneecap to track out of place and irritate the femoral groove. Individuals with high arches or flat feet may be particularly prone for this type of injury, and women are more likely than men to be diagnosed as well.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the inflammation, swelling and irritation of a tendon or tendons, with tendons in the hand and knee being particularly prone to this ailment. Tendonitis creates a deep aching in the knee area. Knee tendonitis is the most common knee injury, but often goes undiagnosed and untreated. While tendonitis can occur all around the knee, the most common area of pain is just below the knee cap.
Iliotibial band syndrome
While iliotibial band syndrome (aka ITBS) is actually a thigh injury, it does result in pain on the outer side of the knee and is easily the most common cause for laternal knee pain in athletes. This injury is commonly associated with running, weight-lifting and cycling and it involves the inflation or swelling of the iliotibal band as moves over the femur. There are a series of stretches that can help to prevent or reduce ITBS. MMAR recommends personally recommends the stretching guide at Running Times.
While tendonitis, runner's knee and ITBS are all very unpleasant, they are rarely debilitating. More severe knee injuries will leave you in significant pain and compramise your mobility for weeks to months. These injuries include tears in the major supporting ligaments. The 4 main ligaments that support the knee include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) Many ligament tears require surgery, physical rehabilitation and a proper hinged knee brace for a full recovery.
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