KNEE JOINT INJURY | MENISCUS STRAIN OR CARTILAGE TEARS IN SPORTS ATHLETES
Sports physical therapy rehabilitation –
When we refer to any knee joint injury such as Meniscus Strain and Meniscus Tear there is a high prevalance that is linked to Intense sports activity especially in sports like football, volleyball, skiing amongst others and most of them are due to unsuitable technical skills or since the physical activities are executed in improper environments. They can also be produced right after contact such as tackles and blows fortuitously. This means that contact sports and trauma scenarios are highly prone to trigger Meniscus injuries and other joint knee injuries.
Meniscus strains and tears are common knee joint injuries that are often associated with intense sports activities, such as football, volleyball, and skiing, among others. These injuries can occur due to improper technique or execution of physical activities in inappropriate environments. In contact sports, meniscus injuries can occur due to direct contact, such as tackles and blows, and they can also result from fortuitous accidents.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint that acts as a shock absorber and helps to distribute weight and reduce friction between the bones. Meniscus injuries can occur when the knee joint is twisted or bent unnaturally, or when the knee is subjected to sudden impact or pressure. Symptoms of a meniscus injury can include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty moving the knee.
Treatment for meniscus injuries can range from rest and physical therapy to surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the injury. In some cases, meniscus injuries may require a period of rehabilitation before the patient can return to sports activities. To reduce the risk of meniscus injuries and other knee joint injuries, it's important for athletes to use proper technique and protective gear, and to train in safe and appropriate environments.
If you suspect that you or someone you know is suffering from a meniscus tear, knee pain, or any other type of lower limb injury, it is important to seek the advice of a professional healthcare provider. My Sports Injury & Physiotherapy is a clinic located in Manchester, UK that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, including knee injuries.
The healthcare professionals at My Sports Injury & Physiotherapy are experienced and registered practitioners who are trained to provide personalized treatment plans tailored to the individual needs of each patient. They use a variety of techniques, including physiotherapy, sports massage, chiropractic, osteopathy, and acupuncture, to help patients recover from their injuries and achieve optimal health and performance.
At My Sports Injury Manchester, the initial stage of treatment for a patient is the physiotherapy assessment. During this assessment, the healthcare provider will try to obtain all the essential and relevant data about the patient's injury, including the ways in which it occurred. This is done through anamnesis, which is the process of collecting information about the patient's medical history and current symptoms, as well as a comprehensive physical examination.
The physical examination may include a range of tests and assessments to evaluate the patient's range of motion, strength, flexibility, and other factors that may be contributing to the injury. This information is used to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to the individual needs of each patient.
By obtaining a thorough understanding of the patient's injury and overall health, the healthcare provider at My Sports Injury Manchester can provide a more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment plan. This can help to reduce pain, promote healing, and restore function and mobility as quickly as possible.
According to a study by Martin Majewski et la published in Research Gate, the knee is a biomechanical zone that is described as an area of utmost care due to its anatomical complexity.
This study highlights the importance of understanding the complex structures and functions of the knee joint to properly diagnose and treat knee injuries.
The knee joint is a hinge joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and is supported by several ligaments, muscles, and tendons. The complexity of the knee joint means that knee injuries can be difficult to diagnose and treat. Proper diagnosis and treatment require a thorough understanding of the knee's biomechanics, as well as knowledge of the various factors that can contribute to knee injuries.
First, we must know what the meniscus anatomy structure and its mechanism
What is the meniscus for?
Under MY sports Injury & Physiotherapy Manchester physiotherapist specialists can effectively stress test this structure. A meniscus tear is a pretty common knee injury. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disc that cushions the impact of steps on the knee. Each knee has two menisci: one on the outer edge of the knee and one on the inner edge.
What sports have the most meniscus tears cases? The meniscal tear is well-known for producing instability in the knee which can intervene and impair the regular performance of the elite athletes making them be out of any sporting event until returning to their preceding proficiency. Statistically, the most affected sports by this condition are Football reaching up (35%), Skiing accounts for (26%), and other sports such as Wrestling, Basketball, Tennis, and Baseball. No evidence was found for the average prevalence of TM in these sports.
So How do Meniscus Tears Actually happen?
Meniscus tears can occur in different ways, but a common cause of this injury is when the foot is firmly planted on the ground and the knee is suddenly twisted. This can happen due to a sudden change in direction or pivoting motion, and it can also occur from external forces such as tackles or collisions in contact sports.
However, meniscus tears can also develop gradually over time due to age-related changes in the knee joint. As we age, the meniscus can lose elasticity and become more prone to tears. Degenerative knee changes such as osteoarthritis can also contribute to meniscal tears with little or no trauma.
Cedars-Sinai stated that this condition can also develop itself gradually over the years due to loss of elasticity in the menisci i.e., in elderly adults, degenerative knee changes can induce to meniscal tear with just a minor or nor no trauma.
