Statistically, it has been proven that knee injury is one of the main reasons for medical consultation after headache, neck, and back pain. This type of injury occurs more frequently in women due to the differences in the movements of the lower extremities concerning men. However, in general, both sexes suffer from it, especially during sports in which the knee supports the body’s entire weight: basketball, volleyball, skiing, ice hockey, and soccer.
Cruciate ligament tear is one of the most frequent and feared injuries by athletes as it requires a relatively long recovery process. This breakage usually occurs after continuous overexertion, sudden braking during a race, or sudden changes in direction.
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Recognize the symptoms
I am noticing a clicking or locking sensation when going up and downstairs. Swelling, edema, redness, bruising, increased heat in the area, or swelling may also appear. Sometimes it is accompanied by the feeling that the skin does not give more of itself or that the knee will come out of its place – Pain around the joint and in the lower part of the thigh that increases with activity and calms down with heat and rest. This type of pain can also indicate the presence of other pathologies such as arthritis, cruciate, lateral, or meniscus ligaments.
If this type of injury is not diagnosed and treated in time, it can lead to loss of functional capacity and movement in the knee. At the same time, the person will be limited in their ability to carry out daily tasks such as walking, sitting, getting up, or going up and down the stairs.
Some specific injuries can become disabling if you do not go to a specialist at the slightest symptom:
- Those produced by a direct or indirect blow (post-traumatic arthritis).
- It is caused by degeneration or wear (osteoarthritis).
- Due to inflammation of the serous bags (bursitis).
- Behind the knee (Beker’s cyst).
- It is caused by the tear of lateral, cruciate, and menisci ligaments.
Most common causes of injuries
The most common causes of knee injuries are:
- Continuous kneeling or crawling without protection.
- I am running on soft or uneven surfaces.
- Kneel by bending the knee more than 90 degrees.
- They are carrying excess weight.
- Intense sports, especially on indoor courts, such as futsal.
- Punches above the knee and falls with the leg out.
- I am not wearing protection in specific sports.
- Sit forcing the knee flexion.
How to protect the knee?
To protect the knee, you should follow the following tips:
- Avoid standing for a long time. If it is inevitable to be, try to distribute the weight on both feet.
- Do exercises to strengthen the muscles, such as swimming or walking.
- Avoid being overweight as it is a risk factor for the knee joint. Maintaining an adequate weight about height is very important.
- It is advisable to use suitable footwear adapted to the type of physical activity to be carried out.
- It is essential to carry out previous training not to damage the joints in contact sports.
- If the pain appears, rest, and apply ice to the area, but the knees are in an elevated position to reduce inflammation and avoid movements that may aggravate the pain.
- Likewise, applying an elastic bandage also helps reduce inflammation and, therefore, pain in the joint.
- Do not kneel without protection.
- Rest after intense physical exercise.
- Always consult a doctor, especially if the knee cannot bear weight or there is an associated fever; likewise, if the pain persists for more than three days or there is painful swelling in the calf.
- Before practicing a sport, it is advisable to consult a professional. Not all exercises are adapted to the physical conditions of a person.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.