Aside from eating healthy and balanced meals, living an active lifestyle is one of the main campaigns in the advocacy for the prevention of many lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, heart disease, and kidney disease. There are many activities that one can do to be physically active, and one of these is by playing sports.
Playing sports is a fun approach to becoming physically fit and healthy. However, active and contact sports put you at risk of suffering from injuries, according to experts. These injuries can be prevented through observing proper playing technique, wearing appropriate sports gear, and conditioning the body before and after the game.
Sports injuries in numbers
In recent years, participation of Americans in sports activities has been rising. In fact, reports have revealed that some 30 million young Americans participate in youth sports every year. This increase in sports participation also resulted in an increased number of sports-related injuries.
The majority of these injuries occur in basketball with 500,000 injuries, cycling with 457,000 injuries, and football with 341,000 injuries, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
According to research, the most common knee injury in basketball, football and volleyball players is an ACL rupture, while in runners, a meniscal injury is the most common.
Anatomy of the knee
The knee is the largest weight-bearing joint in the body. It is composed of three bones of the lower extremities: the thigh bone (femur), the shin bone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella). Muscles and connective tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and cartilage keep these bones together.
Since the knee receives the most stress during movement, it is also the most commonly injured body part in athletes, with over 2.5 million sports-related knee injuries annually.
The knee is very complex. Its main functions are to bear weight, support an upright position, provide stability, absorb shock, and allow movement.
Common knee injuries in sports
Our experienced Spring Hill orthopedic has outlined the following knee injuries that sports enthusiasts are at risk of:
Ligament injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are the most frequently injured ligaments of the knee. These are usually caused by a sudden twisting motion, a change in direction, or an awkward landing from a jump.
When these ligaments are sprained or strained, patients would hear a snapping or popping sound. Signs and symptoms include swelling, tenderness, and instability.
Fracture
A fracture is a break in the bone, usually caused by a strong impact that exceeds the bone’s threshold. Among the three bones that comprise the knee, the kneecap (patella) is the most commonly fractured during contact sports. Signs and symptoms include swelling, pain, and tenderness.
Runner’s knee
Runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), is an overuse injury that happens when you don’t allow your knee enough time to rest and recover after a gruelling training session. Runner’s knee is painful and it usually affects runners, cyclists, and athletes of sports that require a sudden acceleration and deceleration.
Signs and symptoms include pain around or behind the patella that may radiate to the thigh or shin, which gets worse with physical activity and relieved by resting. Some swelling may also be observed.
If you are suffering from a knee injury, it is advisable to consult an orthopedic specialist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Where Can I find an orthopedic surgeon in Florida to evaluate my knee?
Have you been experiencing knee pain and think that you may need knee arthroscopy? Our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Imad E. Tarabishy, has the experience and qualifications to perform knee arthroscopy and the other knee-related orthopedic procedures. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Dr. Tarabishy is one of the leaders in the Spring Hill area.
Dr. Tarabishy is committed to patients and offers the highest quality treatment solutions in Brooksville, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, and the surrounding areas
Aside from knee arthroscopy surgery our orthopedic surgeon also performs the following procedures:
- Iovera treatment
- Knee replacement surgery
- Hip replacement surgery
- Mako robotic surgery
- Carpal tunnel release
- Trigger finger release,
- and other orthopedic procedures.
Contact us today to learn more about our procedure or schedule an appointment for consultation, so our orthopedic specialist can better evaluate your condition and recommend the best treatment option for you. You may also reach us by calling 352-596-8558.
The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.
