Knee Injury in Maryknoll, MO

Knee Injury in Maryknoll, MO. A knee injury has the power to disrupt your day to day living, and often results in long-term harm. Anyone could be at risk of a knee injury in Maryknoll, MO. Knee injuries can happen in any number of situations — often when you least expect it. However, the most common knee-related complaints are knee injuries related to advanced age, exposure to repetitive motions (such as in certain occupations), and trauma and damage caused by an accident or while engaging in physical activity.

Are you experiencing knee-related symptoms like pain, swelling, or buckling? You may have a knee injury, whether or not you can identify a specific moment of trauma that could explain the injury. For your swift and successful recovery, contact Axes Physical Therapy in the Maryknoll, MO area. Our team of physical and occupational therapists will lead you toward a stronger, healthier, pain-free you.

knee injury Maryknoll, MO | Maryknoll physical therapy for knee injury

What Do I Need to Know About Knee Injuries?

The knee earns the title of the largest joint in the human body and is integral to executing so many of the actions, motions, and functions that are unique to humans, making it possible for us to performing the complicated tasks our busy lives require. The knee consists of four distinct structures, any of which are susceptible to injury. The knee is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

The bones of the knee include the tibia, femur, and patella. The three bones are held together by groups of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that allow us to move our legs. In addition to connecting bones within the joint together, the ligaments also create stability and prevent movement in certain directions. Inside the joint, the end of each bone is capped in a layer of cartilage. The cartilage tissue cushions the hard bones where they meet and absorbs the shock of movement and weight that introduce pressure to the joint.

All the different components of the knee’s anatomy, whether soft tissue or bone, are critical to the healthy functioning of the knee joint, and damage to any one or more of these areas can result in a knee injury. If you or a family member have recently experienced an acute trauma to your knee or surrounding area or suffer from a chronic condition that could cause damage to the knee, reach out to Axes Physical Therapy to learn about the best choice for the treatment of a knee injury in Maryknoll, MO today or schedule an appointment online now.

Knee Injury Causes and Prevalence in Maryknoll, MO and the US

The human knee is a sophisticated part of the human anatomy — an intricately constructed joint that allows us to execute tasks and movements other animals cannot. However, the intricate joint design brings with it an inherent susceptibility to a number of different injuries. In fact, knee injuries are the most common of all sports injuries, making up 41 percent of all sports injuries. And sports injuries are just one type of knee injury individuals in Maryknoll, MO and throughout the US commonly experience. While athletic activity is the more popular culprit for knee injuries in young people, older adults more often get knee injuries after falling or due to the development of a chronic condition such as osteoarthritis.

Learn more about knee injuries through the following facts and statistics from Society for Academic Emergency Medicine:

Teens and young adults (patients ranging in age from 15 years old to their late 20’s) are the most likely to suffer a knee injury
Men experience knee injuries far more often than women, making up 68% of all knee injury sufferers
Fifty percent of all knee injuries are caused by sports-related injuries
Among all sports-related knee injuries, soccer and skiing are the most dangerous sports and activities, together accounting for in excess of a quarter of all sports-related knee injuries
Other top causes of knee injuries are home structures at 30.2% and home furnishings at 13.6%
The overwhelmingly most common knee injury diagnoses are strains and sprains at 42.1%, followed by contusions and abrasions at 27.1% and lacerations and puncture wounds at 10.5%

Common Types of Knee Injuries in Maryknoll, MO

Sprains and Strains. When you sprain or strain your knee, a muscle or ligament within the joint is damaged. Injuries of this nature are caused by sudden force to the knee or a sudden or unintended motion of the knee (for example, suddenly stopping to change directions or twisting).
Fractures. A fracture is another word for a broken bone, which can be anything from a hairline fracture or crack in the bone to something much more devastating like a comminuted fracture when a bone shatters into several fragments. Even the patella, the bone commonly known as the kneecap, can be fractured in a knee injury, especially in events such as car accidents or forceful falls on hard surfaces.
Cartilage or Ligament Tears. Injury to the ligaments and cartilage in and around the knee are frequently caused by a blow to the knee from various directions. Sudden changes in direction such as twisting and pivoting motions can also cause a meniscus tear — the cartilage padding the knee where the bones meet — and/or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear injuries. You can learn more about our treatment and therapy services for Maryknoll, MO ACL tears near you.
Arthritis. There are countless variations of arthritis and each patient’s experience of the condition is their own. However, if you suffer from arthritis or a similar condition and experience knee injury symptoms like pain or stiffness, you may have an arthritis-induced knee injury. You may even be at risk of developing bone spurs. Arthritis can result in rapid and irreparable degeneration of the cartilage and in your knee joint. The right care that targets the underlying cause of your pain can prevent further damage
Tendonitis and Other Forms of Inflammation. When under constant stress or overuse, tendons in the knee can become inflamed. This is commonly found in patients who regularly perform activities like running, jumping, and cycling. One of the most common types of tendonitis knee injuries is jumper’s knee. This condition is caused by the severe force of hitting the ground after jumping.

Risk Factors for a Knee Injury in Maryknoll, MO

Excessive weight. Heaviness or obesity introduces inordinate stress on your knee joints, even during what are generally considered light activities from walking, sitting and standing, and going up and down stairs. Being at an unhealthy excessive weight also puts you at increased risk of osteoarthritis by accelerating the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Muscle or bone weakness or stiffness. Inadequate strength or flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. Strong muscles help stabilize and protect your joints, and adequate muscle flexibility make it possible to utilize a full range of motion.
Specific activities and occupations. Some sports put more stress on your knees than do others. Downhill skiing with its rigid ski boots and harsh landings, the near constant and rapid change of direction in basketball, and the relentless force your knees take when you run or jog all increase your risk of knee injury in Maryknoll, MO. Occupations that require repetitive stress on the knees such as installation or farming put you at an increased risk as well.
History of previous injury. Being injured in the past puts you at a higher risk of injuring your knee again.
Old age. As we age, our tissues start to wear down. The cartilage protecting your knee joint can wear thin, and diseases like osteoporosis leave your bones weak and susceptible to injury.

Do I Need Knee Injury Treatment in Maryknoll, MO?

As with any medical condition or injury, each patient is unique and it is important that you speak with a licensed and practiced healthcare professional when a knee injury or any condition affects your ability to function normally or live comfortably. After all, who wants to go through life with chronic pain or any sort of physical limitation, especially in a part of the body as critical to movement and daily life as the knee?

While each injury and patient is different, in some cases emergency medical attention should be sought. After suffering an acute knee injury, noticeable swelling is a warning sign that you need emergency medical attention. According to Yale Medicine, swelling after a knee injury indicates a serious injury that necessitates immediate medical care. Rapid, extreme swelling that occurs in the three to four hours after an acute trauma impacts the knee is typically a sign that blood is trapped in the joint.

Types of Treatments for Knee Injuries in Maryknoll, MO

The right knee injury treatment for your condition depends on the nature of your injury, your overall medical condition, and many other factors that the trained eye of a clinically experienced, licensed Maryknoll, MO physical therapist with Axes Physical Therapy will identify and examine. Often, a knee injury can be managed with conservative treatment and, with the right movement medicine and timely intervention, you will be back up and running (and walking, standing, jumping, and everything else you love to do) within weeks. However, each Maryknoll, MO knee injury patient is different and every injury varies in severity, so your knee injury treatment plan in Maryknoll, MO should reflect that.

When you need knee injury treatment, you may be looking at the following common treatment options.

Medications. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help relieve pain and to treat the conditions causing your knee pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. Over the counter anti-inflammatory medications can also help manage symptoms as your knee injury heals.
Injections. Injections to the site of the knee injury, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, have, in some cases, been helpful in reducing pain and improving mobility.
Physical Therapy. Physical therapy focuses on movement health and correcting the problem at the source. For your knee injury, physical therapy may include treatments that strengthen and stabilize your knee and surrounding parts of the body, increase flexibility and range of motion, improve balance, and correct technique in physical activities.
Surgery. Surgery is reserved for severe knee injuries and patients who have not had success with less invasive treatment methods. For a knee injury, surgeries can range from partial knee replacement, total knee replacement, or surgeries removing aggravating tissue or bone. If your knee injury treatment team decides that surgery is your best option, other treatments such as physical therapy will be critical in the preparation of and recovery from the operation to help you return to strength and full use of your knee joint.

Getting Physical Therapy for your Knee Injury in Maryknoll, MO

As a valued knee injury treatment patient with Axes Physical Therapy in the Maryknoll, MO area, you will work with a dedicated physical therapist who will lead your knee injury recovery for the entirety of your knee injury physical therapy treatment plan in Maryknoll, MO. With extensive clinical success restoring knee injury patients back to full performance, your physical therapist will draw upon their extensive education and the most current evidence-based practices to help you successfully heal from your Maryknoll, MO knee injury and return to all the activities you care about so you can go about your regular life at home, at work, and in your personal time.

During your first Maryknoll, MO appointment with Axes for your knee injury, your physical therapist will perform a full injury screening and evaluation of your condition. From ensuring that your physical therapist is operating with a complete picture of your condition and overall health to consistently engaging in the prescribed exercises, you are a critical piece in your knee injury treatment puzzle. It is imperative that you are an active participant in your physical therapy treatment of your knee injury.

Your physical therapist will devise a custom treatment plan to eliminate pain and other symptoms, repair damaged tissue, and restore your mobility. To this end, your physical therapy treatment may involve a number of therapies to target your knee injury.

Stretches and exercises
Training to correct posture, gait, or other movement technique
Heat and ice applications
Ultrasound
Electric stimulation
Kinesiology taping
Soft tissue massages or knee joint mobilization

The experts in movement health and the musculoskeletal system at Axes Physical Therapy in the Maryknoll, MO area have successfully treated hundreds of patients with pain, injuries, and chronic conditions and have restored their ability to do the activities they value. Find out more about our treatment capabilities and the types of conditions we specialize in for patients in the Maryknoll, MO area, such as:

Recover from your Knee Injury in Maryknoll, MO Now

If you recently experienced a knee injury or are experiencing any symptoms that you think may be caused by any type of knee injury, it is important to consult a trustworthy medical professional as soon as possible. As musculoskeletal specialists with expertise in movement and the human body, the physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy in Maryknoll, MO will help you understand your injury and design a tailored treatment plan that works for you. Contact our physical therapy clinics today or find the location nearest you in Maryknoll, MO to begin your healing journey and obtain relief from your knee injury.

Knee Injury Maryknoll, MO