What amazing summer weather we’re having so far! July and August is often punctuated by drizzle and damp, however the unexpectedly warm summer is leading more of us to get outside and enjoy the sunshine. If you play summer sports like football, beach volleyball and tennis, you may well be enjoying a bumper year this year.
Unfortunately, though, if you tend to play infrequently (or not at all) for most of the year and then have an intense burst of activity over the summer, there is an increased risk of injury. You may develop an overuse injury (such as runner’s knee or tendinitis) or an acute injury (such as a torn ligament or fracture).
Sporting injuries of the knee
Sporting knee injuries are particularly common over the summer months. Here are some that we treat most often, along with some tips on what you can do to reduce your risk of getting injured.
- Patella fracture – You may fracture your patella (kneecap) as the result of a heavy fall or blow. This type of fracture is also linked to overuse. Symptoms include sudden severe pain at the front of the knee, deformity of the knee joint, swelling and loss of movement of the knee. You may need to undergo realignment of the patella, surgical repair or wear a cast or knee brace while the fracture heals. Do not resume sporting activities until the fracture is fully healed or you may increase your risk of developing post-traumatic arthritis of the knee.
- Dislocated knee – A dislocated knee is a painful injury that normally occurs when you rapidly change direction or use a sudden twisting motion. Footballers, cyclists and long jumpers may be particularly at risk of a dislocated knee. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling and deformity of the knee. Depending on the severity of the injury you may require surgery to reconstruct the knee joint or immobilisation to prevent further damage. You may need to wear a knee support after this type of injury.
- Torn or sprained ligaments – These are normally caused by a sudden heavy impact or collision. Sudden stops or changes in direction, jumping or landing awkwardly may tear or sprain your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) which controls rotation of the knee and forward movement of the shin bone. Such an injury normally requires surgery. Your medial collateral ligament (MCL) stabilises the outer knee. An MCL sprain is often caused by a direct blow to the outer side of the knee, for example during football. You may also injure your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) which controls the backward movement of your shin bone or the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) which stabilises the inner knee. MCL and LCL tears often heal by themselves with rest and strengthening exercises. More serious tears or stretching to the ACL and PCL normally require surgical reconstruction.
- Tendinitis – This is swelling or inflammation of the tendons. Patellar tendinitis – also called Jumper’s Knee – affects the patellar tendon which joins the tibia (shinbone) to the patella (kneecap). It is an overuse injury common in sports that involve jumping, such as volleyball or basketball. Symptoms may develop slowly as the condition causes microtears in the tendon. If you do not rest and allow the tendon to heal, more serious damage can occur resulting in worsening pain and loss of function. Treatment for this type of injury include rest, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome – This is an overuse injury associated with weak hip abductor muscles. Symptoms include pain on the side of the knee which may continue after exercise. The condition is often linked to cycling, basketball and swimming. It rarely requires surgery and normally gets better with cold compresses and stretching/strengthening exercises.
- Runner’s knee – This is an overuse injury that causes pain at the front of the knee. It may also be caused by weak thigh muscles or tight hamstrings. Like iliotibial band syndrome, the condition is normally treated with cold compresses and stretching/strengthening exercises.
- Meniscal injury – This common knee injury is caused by sudden twisting movements or trauma. The meniscus – a crescent-shaped pad of cartilage in the knee – can become torn, resulting in pain, swelling and a locking or clicking sensation. Treatment depends on the severity of the tear. It may respond to physiotherapy and knee bracing, however some tears require surgical repair.
While it’s not always possible to prevent knee injuries there are some steps you can take to reduce your chances of getting injured.
If you experience pain, swelling or trauma, think RICE (rest, ice for 20-30 minutes every two to four hours to reduce swelling, compression with a bandage and elevation above the level of the heart). Wear the right shoes for the activity you are doing and don’t push yourself too far or too fast. Warm up before you play any sport and use an effective cool-down routine.
If you are concerned about a knee injury, contact us for a diagnosis and treatment advice.
