Understanding New Treatment Options for Knee Injuries
The latest technology brings new options for knee injury sufferers. Make sure you know all your options before deciding on your choice of treatment.
(PRWEB) January 20, 2005
Pain and instability of the knee after an injury can be incapacitating to a martial artist. The majority of offensive as well as defensive techniques involve the legs. Knee stability is required in all kicks to maintain balance, precision, and avoid injury. The focus of this article is on ligament injuries of the knee in martial arts and treatment options.
Knee Stabilizers
The ligaments of the knee stabilize the entire joint. The major four supporting structures are: ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament); MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament); PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament); and LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament).
Injury to these structures can occur in various ways:
• From a direct blow to the front, back, or side of the knee when the involved leg is planted;
• Hitting a target with a hyperextended knee (i. e., ax kick with improper form);
• Excessive pivoting and torque on the standing leg while kicking. (This could be avoided by sufficiently spinning on the ball of the foot and not dragging the heel while pivoting); or
• Kicking air with excessive torque on the lead leg or knee. Ligaments can tear partially or completely. They can even become permanently “stretched out” after an injury.
Suspecting Ligament Damage
Injury to the ligament of the knee is usually followed by swelling (fluid in or on the side of the knee) within one-to-four hours. The amount of immediate disability, pain, and swelling does not always correlate with the severity or degree of ligament damage. This may vary. Individual may hear a "pop" and feel that the knee is "giving way" especially upon pivoting.
What Should Be Done?
After a knee injury, it is ideal for a healthcare provider who is familiar with sports injuries to examine the knee within the first hour. Knee stability can be more accurately assessed before swelling occurs. In the real world, a sports medicine specialist is not usually present in the dojang when the injury occurs, thus medical attention should be sought as soon as possible if significant pain or disability persists.
Diagnosis and Prognosis
Fortunately, the LCL is rarely injured because it seems to have more "give" when compared to the other ligaments of the knee. MCL injuries are common although they usually heal without surgical intervention. Depending on the severity of the tear, a knee brace with lateral supports can be used during the complete healing process which may take up to six-to-12 weeks. The infamous ACL and PCL complete tears do not heal. The ACL Rupture is more common and it is usually associated with residual instability of the knee, especially when pivoting. Pain may only be present when the "giving way" episode occurs.
• Conservative treatment consists of intense physical therapy, enhancing lower leg strength (especially hamstrings). A special ACL brace is usually recommended if activities which require pivoting are anticipated.
• Surgical Treatment consists of ACL reconstruction using a tendon taken from another part of the body. This procedure is assisted by arthroscopy (a technology of fiber optics which allows the physician to look directly into the knee. A camera, attached to the arthroscope and a television monitor, is used to give the doctor a clear view and access to most areas of the joint, through a relatively small incision). Rehabilitation is essential after surgery, and the complete recovery time can take four-to-six months.
Ligament injuries in martial arts can range from a minor sprain to a devastating rupture with residual instability. An accurate diagnosis will help determine the most appropriate treatment plan, allowing for a speedy recovery and the prevention of further knee injury. Proper form and precision as well as adequate strength and speed in leg techniques are essential.
There are three bones which make up the knee: the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (leg bone) and the patella (knee cap). Menisci, C-shaped pieces of cartilaginous tissue which act as shock absorbers, keep the ends of the bones from rubbing together and act as joint stabilizers and lubricators.
Four major ligaments hold the knee in position and allow the muscles to do their job. The ligaments are most important for stabilizing the knee joint. If they are damaged, abnormal motion in the joint can lead to degenerative joint disease.
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