2 min read • October 20, 2022
Posted in
By Eric Chang
The knee joint is made up of the femur (thigh bone), patella (kneecap), and tibia (shin bone). It is susceptible to a variety of injuries in the ligaments, bones, cartilage, and muscles that both protect the knee and allow it to move in all types of directions. Knee injuries are especially common in collision sports and can occur through contact or noncontact mechanisms. Some common football knee injuries include ACL tears, MCL tears, or meniscus tears. Some common symptoms of knee injuries include pain and swelling to the affected area. More severe injuries can cause instability in the knee, causing the knee to give out or move from side to side while walking. Physicians can narrow down the diagnosis of a knee injury using a variety of physical exam tests and use imaging such as x-ray and MRI to visualize the severity of the injured structure.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major knee ligaments that connects the femur to the tibia and prevents the tibia from sliding too far forward relative to the femur. An ACL tear most often occurs when athletes abruptly change direction and are associated with an audible “pop,” with pain and instability in the knee joint. An ACL tear is a common major knee injury for football players, and has one of the longest recovery times compared to other injuries, often requiring arthroscopic surgery in order for athletes to return to play, with most athletes needing at least six months to fully recover. During the surgery, a tissue graft from either the patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, or the hamstring tendon can be used in order to reconstruct the ACL.
The MCL is a ligament on the inside of the knee that stabilizes lateral movement of the knee. MCL tears often occur when the knee is struck from the outside, pushing the knee inwards and stressing the MCL to the point of tearing. An injury to the MCL is the most common knee injury involving one of the four major ligaments. MCL tears are graded on a scale from 1 to 3, with 3 being most severe. Grade 1 tears are minor and can be healed with rest in a few weeks, while more severe tears may require knee bracing, physical therapy, and possibly even surgery depending on the severity. Oftentimes surgery is required when other associated injuries occur alongside an MCL tear, which is common for patients that suffer from a grade 3 tear.
The menisci are the pieces of knee cartilage which provide padding between the femur and tibia. A meniscus tear can occur when the knee is abruptly twisted, such as during cutting or pivoting movements. Like any of the other injuries listed above, you can imagine that this is also a common knee injury in football players due to the twisting mechanism. An athlete’s timetable to return from a meniscus tear can range from 3 weeks to six months depending on how it is managed. Due to the varying blood supply to the meniscus, injuries in certain parts of the meniscus may be managed non-surgically, while injuries to other parts of the meniscus that are not improved through conservative management likely require surgery. Menisci can be treated surgically with a meniscectomy or a repair. A meniscectomy is performed by removing the damaged parts of the meniscus, while a repair is performed by stitching the damaged areas and allowing them to heal. Athletes are generally able to recover within 6 weeks after a meniscectomy, while up to 6 months may be needed for a repair. This may make meniscectomies the more enticing option for athletes trying to make their return to sport as quick as possible. However, meniscectomies may increase the likelihood of chronic knee issues in the future, so many factors are taken into consideration when deciding on a treatment plan for a torn meniscus.
As with any injury, rest is typically the first recommendation in order to prevent any further risk of injury or discomfort. Non-surgical treatment of knee injuries usually involves immobilization using a brace in order to keep structures in place. Physical therapy is often necessary for patients to regain complete function of the knee and for athletes to be able to return to full capacity in their sport and can include corrective exercises and strengthening exercises to address musculoskeletal imbalances. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often given to limit pain and swelling that patients experience due to injury.
If you are experiencing knee pain that is not related to any major injury, you may be suffering from a condition known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, otherwise known as runner’s knee. This can occur due to a variety of reasons, including but not limited to overtraining, improper running mechanics, or tight hamstrings. The most effective way to alleviate this condition is to stop running until you are no longer experiencing pain. Other ways to improve this condition include strengthening the quadriceps muscles, wearing a compression sleeve around the knee, and performing stretching exercises.
Knee pain can be caused by a multitude of different factors, including injury, muscle imbalances, structural issues, or overuse. As always, it is important to make sure to rest and to be evaluated by your doctor if you are experiencing pain that is interfering with your daily activities. Taking the proper steps to ensure a full recovery from any injury is the key to longevity as an athlete along with reducing the likelihood of any other knee issues from occurring in the long run.
Image 1: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/common-knee-injuries/
Image 2: https://spectrumnews1.com/oh/columbus/news/2020/12/03/joe-burrow-s-knee-surgery-called-a-success
Written by
