Avoiding Sports Knee Injury

For many, there seems to be little choice when it comes to some of the hazards that can cause a sports knee injury. Knees are particularly vulnerable, for several reasons.

  • Knees are situated so they must take on your entire body weight.
  • Because of their limited range of motion, your knees move like hinges. Unable to move side-to-side or backwards, your knees have no way to adapt to different movements.
  • The structure makes the area particularly vulnerable. The tibia (shinbone), the femur (or thighbone) and the patella (or kneecap) form a complex structure with cartilage and ligaments, any of which can be strained.

Common Knee Injuries

It is easy to see why your knees are so vulnerable. Knowing the most common kinds of injuries can help you prevent them by being aware of the specific dangers.

Fractures can occur with any of the bones surrounding the knee, but are most likely to happen to the patella. Fractures are most likely to be caused by high impact traumas, like falls.

Dislocation is another potential danger for knees. The bones are held in place in a careful pattern, and can be forced out of alignment by a hard impact, like a fall or another sports-related activity.

ACL injuries involve the anterior cruciate ligament,and can happen when an athlete makes a sudden turn or lands wrong. PCL injuries can happen during a sports activity when the knee is in a vulnerable position when receiving an impact.

Those are just some of the kinds of injuries that can occur, and they happen more often when players experience a high impact or when they simply are in a bad position when receiving a relatively minor impact. Becoming aware of how these injuries occur can assist in avoiding them.

Other Factors in Avoiding Sports Knee Injuries

Sports knee injury can be devastating, and the consequences long-lasting. Here are some other important considerations:

  1. Weight — Even athletes in good shape can benefit from keeping their weight down, working on strength and endurance instead of bulk.
  2. Warming up — Making sure your muscles are ready can avoid many kinds of injuries.
  3. Weight Training –Build up the muscles that support your body, even if you don’t need to be strong for a sport.
  4. Supportive Shoes That Fit Well — When your shoes are comfortable, you are more likely to balance your weight correctly both while standing and during activities.
  5. Low-Impact Exercises — Swim or do another activity for general fitness so you don’t put unnecessary stress on your joints.
  6. Seek a Physician’s Help When Necessary — When you have a problem, let a trusted doctor help you. You only have one body, and you should never feel bad about taking care of it.

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