Everything Athletes Should Know About Knee Injuries
Whether you’re an amateur athlete or a professional, a knee injury can put you on the sidelines for months, and possibly even forever. Getting your knee injury treated quickly and efficiently by a qualified San Francisco sports medicine doctor who specializes in orthopedics can give you the best possible chances of getting back in the game sooner rather than later.
The Institute for Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine in San Francisco, California provides care to athletes of all ages, backgrounds, and professions. If you’re struggling with a knee injury, Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht and his experienced team can help you get the rehabilitation you need, so you can have the smoothest recovery possible.
The working parts of your knee joint
The knee is the most complex joint in the body, and it’s also particularly susceptible to injury. Your knee can be viewed as these separate but equally vital parts:
- Bones, including the femur, tibia, and patella
- Tendons, which anchor your muscles to your bones
- Ligaments, including the collateral ligaments (medial and lateral) and cruciate ligaments (anterior and posterior)
- Articular cartilage, the slippery, flexible material that cushions your bones
- Meniscus, the hard, rubbery cartilage that absorbs shock during movement
Injury to any part of your knee can lead to pain, restricted range of motion, and poor athletic performance. Many times, an injury causes damage to multiple parts of the knee, ranging from torn ligaments to fractured bones.
5 common types of knee injuries
There are many different types of knee injuries, and the specifics of your injury might depend on the sport you were playing, what happened when you were injured, and how quickly you received medical help. Here are five common types of knee injuries:
- Sprained or torn ligaments, when the ligaments of the knee stretch or tear
- Torn meniscus, often caused by a sharp turn or hard fall
- Tendon tears, when the quadricep or patellar tendons tear during a fall or awkward landing
- Dislocated knee, when the bone is displaced, a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention
- Patellar fractures, when the kneecap breaks
Many athletes feel pressured to ignore their injury, or “walk it off.” However, any injury that leads to significant pain or swelling should be taken to your ACL doctor in San Francisco for inspection and rehabilitation.
Recovery from a knee injury can include a number of treatments. You might just require bed rest, crutches, and pain relief. However, more serious injuries can require intense rehabilitation, such as arthroscopic surgery, cartilage cloning, or PRP injections to promote healing.
Have you recently suffered a knee injury? Don’t hold off getting help. To get in touch with the team at IASM, call 415-233-7996, or book a visit online.