How Knee Injuries Can Affect Student Athletes

Knee injuries, whether from long-term wear and tear or sudden trauma, can affect anyone. Yet they are a particular concern for student athletes and have been known to end budding careers before they can take off. Certain actions and activities put student and professional athletes at risk, including:

• Repetitive actions like running, walking and cycling
• Higher fall and collision risks
• Excessive kneeling
• Playing on unstable surfaces
• Repeat blows to the knee
• Not using proper form
• Overtraining
• Jumping
• Pivoting moves

Life stage also increases risk for many student athletes, as they could still be growing and learning how to coordinate their muscles. Combined with intense training, these risk factors are heightened even more. As such, a wrong move or overextending a joint can result in serious damage that often halts the sports season.

About Knee Injuries

Knee injuries occur in varying degrees but stem from overuse or a sudden acute injury. This spectrum begins with sprains and progresses through strains, fractures, torn ligaments, carpel tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome. At the extreme end is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, which has been known to end athletes’ careers due to the severity.

Ligaments are bands of tissue connecting the body’s bones and adding a degree of flexibility. When the tissue tears, snaps or gets overstretched, an injury can occur. Also within this area, the cartilage cushioning your knee joint may experience damage, often resulting in a meniscus injury.

In school-age athletes, the stress of training and practices without proper form can manifest as the following types of knee injuries:

• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Commonly known as runner’s knee, this condition often emerges as pain toward the front of the knee and occurs from overuse.
• Fractures: While not the most common knee injury in student athletes, players who put more weight on one leg may be more susceptible.
• Tendonitis: Tendonitis can occur anywhere in the body, including the patella tendon between the kneecap and shinbone. This condition involves swelling and inflammation of the tendon and may be characterized by pain and stiffness.
• Torn Ligaments: Whether an ACL or medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear, these injuries can stem from overuse or a trauma-related injury. Due to the severity, surgery may be required or the athlete may need to take the rest of the season off for rehabilitative therapy.

In general, a student athlete may be dealing with a knee injury if:

• They experience swelling, stiffness or weakness in or around the joint
• The joint appears unstable
• He or she cannot straighten the leg
• The area is red or feels warm
• You can hear a popping or similar crunching sound

Delaying treatment for a knee injury, particularly one involving soft tissues, can worsen the condition and may even result in permanent damage that affects quality of life.

Treatment for a Knee Injury

Surgery is rarely the first line of defense in treating a knee injury. Especially for student athletes, a doctor may recommend:

• RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevate (RICE) allows a knee injury time to heal. Beyond getting out of the game, a student athlete may need to avoid high-impact activities, apply ice to lessen swelling, use a compression bandage and stay off the leg.
• Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises, along with electric and ultrasound stimulation, may further help the joint heal.
• Medication: If the athlete is having difficulty with certain daily activities, a doctor may recommend pain relievers or injections to reduce swelling around the knee.

Sports with the Greatest Risks

Although knee injuries can happen to anyone, athletes participating in the following activities tend to have elevated risks:

• Football
• Soccer
• Basketball
• Gymnastics
• Cheerleading
• Running
• Cycling

How Athletes Can Avoid Knee Injuries

Student athletes can take the following steps to reduce a potential knee injury:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Warm up before and stretch after practice
• Wear knee guards
• Avoid playing and practicing on hard, unstable surfacesWear shoes that provide sufficient arch support
• Watch your posture and form
• Avoid over-practicing at high intensity
• Incorporate strength training into your conditioning routine

If you’ve suffered a knee injury during the school sports season, work with Integrated Rehab’s physical therapists to improve your condition and develop strategies for the future.

To learn more or schedule an appointment, contact us today.