Knee Pain | Symptoms, Causes, and Management
This week's blog on knee pain, symptoms, causes, and management, is brought to us by my colleague and friend, Andrew Puckett. In addition to being the Director of Marketing for Body Helix, Andrew is an accomplished triathlete and cyclist. He is passionate about injury prevention. You could say he's 'knee-deep' in it.
Knee injuries are unfortunately all too common, especially among athletes. The knee is a complex joint with many moving parts, making it susceptible to various injuries. This blog post will look at some of the most common knee injuries and the signs and symptoms to watch out for. We'll also discuss some tips for preventing knee injuries and offer some treatment options for knee injury sufferers.
COMMON KNEE INJURIES
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
PREVENTION
TREATMENT
COMMON KNEE INJURIES
Did you know that the knee is the body's largest joint? And it's one of the strongest. Because the knee's structure is complex, the joint is susceptible to many types of injuries – especially for athletes. The knee comprises an intricate network of muscles, tendons, bones, ligaments, cartilage, and fluid.
Knee injury accounts for 41% of all sports injuries. Certain sports have an increased risk of knee joint injury because of the movements inherent to the sport. Sudden stops, twists and turns or the pressure put on the knee joint while running can cause knee pain or injury. And unlike hip damage, which tends to become more common as we get older, knee injuries do not discriminate based on age.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears:
The ACL is a crucial ligament that stabilizes the knee joint. A tear of the ACL can occur due to a sudden change in direction or a blow to the knee. Symptoms of an ACL tear include pain, swelling, and instability of the knee joint.
Patellar tendinitis:
Patellar tendinitis is inflammation of the patellar tendon, which attaches the kneecap to the shinbone. This condition is often seen in athletes who participate in jumping sports such as basketball or volleyball. Symptoms of patellar tendonitis include pain and tenderness around the kneecap and stiffness and weakness in the knee.
Iliotibial band syndrome:
The iliotibial band is a ligament that runs from the hip to the shinbone outside the leg. Iliotibial band syndrome is when the iliotibial band becomes irritated and inflamed, often due to overuse. Symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome include pain and tenderness on the outside of the knee, as well as stiffness and weakness in the knee.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The knee has relatively little muscle covering the front and sides, and the skin in front can be quite thin. Thus it is not particularly well protected. While a network of strong ligaments works to keep the knee stable, it is still the most vulnerable joint in the body.
Knee injury and pain can limit function and mobility and impairs quality of life. Even the healthiest, most fit among us can succumb to injury. Knee injuries can range from mild to severe, and the signs and symptoms will vary depending on the type of injury.
Some common signs and symptoms of a knee injury include:
- pain
- swelling
- stiffness
- instability
- decreased range of motion
If you experience any of these symptoms after a fall or other trauma to the knee, it's essential to see a doctor immediately for an evaluation.
PREVENTION
"Know safety, no injury. No safety, know injury." -Anonymous.
When you have joint pain and stiffness, exercise is the last thing you are inclined to do. But restricting your activity level to avoid knee pain may only make matters worse.
There are several things you can do to prevent knee injuries, including:
- Warm up properly before physical activity
- Stretch and strengthen the muscles around the knee
- Use Doctor-approved compression technology
- Wear appropriate shoes for your sport
- Use proper technique when participating in sports or other physical activities
TREATMENT
If you suffer a knee injury, treatment will depend on the specific type of injury. However, some common treatments for knee injuries include:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Physical therapy
- Surgery (in severe cases)
Compression of the knee joint improves both dynamic and static balance. A quality compression sleeve can help stabilize the joint, decrease swelling, and allow you to engage in otherwise painful activities painlessly. With better blood flow, your synovial membrane is open to a steady supply of nourishing oxygen and nutrients, and synovial fluid can lubricate the joint.
Remember, not all compression is created equal. Body Helix compression products have incredible stretch and elasticity. Helix sleeves will stretch more than the human body. This means you won't alter your mechanics of motion during activity.
Made from a closed cell non-petroleum, latex-free, neoprene material, the Full Knee Helix is comfortable to wear all day long and can be easily adjusted for a custom fit. Body Helix's form-fit technology allows for uniform medical grade compression (20-30 mm Hg) and ensures the product stays in place. And these sleeves can be machine washed and dried.
If you're looking for high-quality knee support, look no further than the Body Helix compression sleeves. Body Helix offers six different types of knee sleeves available for your specific need. Selection of the correct Helix product will maximize the benefits of compression.
Body Helix sleeves provide compression, comfort, and warmth to the knee's muscles, tendons, and ligaments, helping to relieve pain and discomfort from sprains and strains, meniscus issues, arthritis, and swelling. Whether you're dealing with an injury or want to prevent one from happening in the first place, the Body Helix selection of knee sleeves is an excellent choice.
Knee compression sleeves have shown positive benefits for re-injury prevention, pain reduction and improved proprioception. Comfort, along with no migration and no impairment of normal motion, are desirable features of a compression sleeve. Body Helix knee sleeves are designed with these goals in mind.
To wrap it up (pun intended), now that you know more about knee injuries, it's time to take action to prevent them. Athletes will want to do everything they can to reduce the risk of injury and manage the risks they cannot eliminate.
Follow the tips above to help keep your knees healthy and strong. If you think you may have suffered a knee injury, it's essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can help speed your recovery and get you back to your normal activity level.
Thanks to Andrew for learning and sharing this great information. Andrew's message is inspiring, and he's offering to help you on your way to knee injury prevention. Save 10% on your first order of the Full Knee Helix using code "Welcome10" at checkout.
Body Helix LLC, BodyHelix.com or any affiliated brand of Body Helix does not seek to provide medical advice. If you or someone you know has experienced any injury, see a licensed medical provider for a professional opinion and treatment.
At Body Helix, we start with an unapologetic obsession for exceptional quality and make innovative products to serve athletes of all levels. We believe in and promote salutogenesis. Your wellness is our primary directive. We continually research to provide reliable information and actionable tips to optimize your fitness.
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Andrew Puckett
