Spring Sports Are Here: Are Your Knees Ready?

Knee injuries account for 41% of all sports injuries. That means more than two in five injured athletes experience a knee injury, and recovery can be a long painful road. Protect your knees and speed healing from knee injuries by keeping your knees as healthy as possible.

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, treats all kinds of sports injuries, including those affecting the knee. Here are some of the top injuries to look out for, and tips on how to keep your knees strong and healthy for the upcoming season.

Runner’s knee

Runner’s knee is also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This injury is common among long-distance runners and competitive marathoners, and affects the area where the kneecap and lower end of the thighbone (femur) meet. It’s characterized by the following symptoms:

• Pain at the front of the knee
• Instability of the knee
• Grinding or clicking when the knee is bent or extended

Treatment usually includes rest; stretching and strengthening exercises to rehabilitate the knee; compression, taping, or bracing; and other conservative methods.

Jumper’s knee

Games which require jumping, such as basketball and volleyball, leave you wide open for an injury called jumper’s knee (also known as patellar tendinitis). This injury affects the tendon that connects the kneecap with the upper end of the shinbone (tibia). It’s characterized by the following symptoms:

• Pain at the bottom of the kneecap
• Tightness and stiffness of the tendon
• A burning sensation just below the knee

Treatment usually includes oral medications; physical therapy, including taping; topical or injected corticosteroids; and orthobiologic treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Surgery is usually not required.

Torn ACL

More severe than patella injuries are ligament injuries, particularly a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) from playing football or soccer. The ACL is a strong band of tissue that runs inside the knee, connecting the femur and tibia and providing rotational stability. An ACL tear happens when the knee over-rotates during a sudden stop and turn.

A torn ACL is extremely and immediately painful and symptoms typically include:

• Hearing/feeling a pop in your knee when the injury happens
• Intense pain when you try to put weight on your knee
• Feeling like your leg will give out if you attempt to stand or walk
• Swelling of the knee joint (may extend up or down the leg)
• Lost range of motion up to an including almost complete knee immobility

ACL tears can be partial thickness, or full thickness (meaning the entire band is ripped in half). Most people who want to return to athletics must undergo ACL surgery even for a partial tear. Dr. Hatch will consult with you about your knee injury, including surgery options and potential outcomes.

Avoiding knee injuries

The best way to avoid common knee injuries is to properly condition your knee, using strengthening exercises to build up muscle around the joint and protect it. Always stretch and warm up properly before engaging in your preferred sport or activity, and never “push through the pain.”

Have you sustained a knee injury? Schedule an appointment with Dr. Hatch by calling Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery at 323-442-5860, or booking an appointment online today.