Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO

Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO. A knee injury has the power to disrupt your daily life, and often persists with long-term symptoms. Anyone could be at risk of a knee injury in Olympian Village, MO. People of all ages, genders, and activity levels can experience a knee injury. However, the majority of knee injury victims experience damage due to age-related deterioration, exposure to repetitive motions (such as in certain occupations), and trauma and damage caused by an accident or while being physically active.

If you have any symptoms related to the knee — pain, buckling, stiffness, swelling or irritation — you could be suffering from a knee injury. For your swift and successful recovery, contact the movement experts at Axes Physical Therapy for help with your knee injury in the Olympian Village, MO area. Our team of physical and occupational therapists will release you from pain and restore your mobility.

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What Are Knee Injuries?

The knee is the largest human joint, and one that is integral to many of the actions, motions, and functions that distinguish us from other animals, making it possible for us to carry out the complicated tasks our busy lives require. This body part is composed of four distinct structures, none of which are immune to injury. The knee contains bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

The bones of the knee include the tibia, femur, and patella. These three bones are attached by muscle groups, which are connected together by tendons and ligaments, that work together to make it possible for 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 by a layer of cartilage — essentially a cushion that protects the hard bones from one another and works as a shock absorber when movement or weight put pressure on the joint.

All parts that make up the knee, 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 lead to a knee injury. If you or a family member recently suffered any kind of trauma to your knee or surrounding area or have developed a chronic condition that could lead to damage to the knee, reach out to Axes Physical Therapy to learn about the best choice for the treatment of a knee injury in Olympian Village, MO today or book an appointment online now.

Prevalence and Common Causes of Knee Injuries in Olympian Village, MO and the US

The knee is a sophisticated part of the human anatomy — an impeccably constructed joint that makes it possible for us to move and act in ways other animals cannot. But this complex joint is vulnerable to a number of different injuries. In fact, knee injuries are the most common of all sports injuries, contributing to 41 percent of all sports injuries. But sports injuries make up only one type of knee injury individuals in Olympian Village, MO and throughout the US commonly experience. While physical activity is the more common culprit for knee injuries in young people, older adults who sustain knee injuries most often do so in acute injuries involving falls and ramps or through chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis.

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

Adolescents 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
68% of knee injury victims are male
Nearly half (49.5%) of all knee injuries take place during physical activity
Of all sports-related knee injuries, soccer and skiing are the most dangerous sports and activities, each responsible for in excess of a quarter of all knee injuries related to sports
Other top causes of knee injuries are related to home structures (30.2%), and home furnishings (13.6%)
The overwhelmingly most common knee injury diagnoses are strains and sprains at 42.1%; next are contusions and abrasions at 27.1% and lacerations and puncture wounds at 10.5%

Common Types of Knee Injuries in Olympian Village, MO

Sprains and Strains. A sprain or strain knee injury involves a muscle or ligament within the joint structure of the knee. These injuries 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 a broken bone, which can be anything from a hairline fracture or crack in the bone to a much more brutal break such as a comminuted fracture when a bone is crushed into several fragments. Even the kneecap bone, or the patella, can be broken in a knee injury, especially in car accidents, hard falls against solid objects, assaults and other catastrophic events.
Cartilage or Ligament Tears. Injury to the ligaments and cartilage in and around the knee are often caused by a blow to the knee from various directions. Twisting, pivoting, and other sudden changes in direction can also cause a meniscus tear (the cartilage between the bones in the knee) and/or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear injuries. If you have been diagnosed with or believe you have suffered an ACL injury learn more about our treatment and therapy services for Olympian Village, MO ACL tears near you.
Arthritis. Many different types of arthritis exist and each patient has their own unique experience of their condition. However, if you suffer from a chronic condition like arthritis 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 irreversible degeneration of the cartilage and in your knee joint.
Tendonitis and Inflammation. Tendons in the knee area can become inflamed through overuse or repeated stress, common in individuals who regularly perform activities like running, jumping, and cycling. A common form of tendonitis in the knee is jumper’s knee because of the strain to the tendon that occurs as a result of the severe force of hitting the ground after jumping.

Knee Injury Risk Factors in Olympian Village, MO

Being overweight. Being overweight or obese puts undue 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 because it speeds up the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Weakness or stiffness. A lack of strength and flexibility can increase the risk of knee injuries. Strong muscles help stabilize and protect your joints, and adequately flexible muscles can help you utilize a full range of motion.
Specific activities and occupations. Some athletic and occupational activities put greater stress on your knees than do others. Alpine snowboarding and skiing involve rigid boots and potential for falls, the near constant and rapid change of direction in basketball, and the relentless pounding your knees take when you run or jog all increase your risk of knee injury in Olympian Village, MO. Occupations that involve activities that put stress on the knees such as auto work or farming put you at an increased risk as well.
Previous Injury. Being injured in the past puts you at a higher risk of injuring your knee again.
Old age. As our bodies age, our tissues start to wear down. The cartilage protecting your knee joint can degrade, and diseases like osteoporosis make your bones weak and susceptible to injury.

When You Need Treatment for your Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO

As with any medical condition or injury, each case is unique and you should always speak with a licensed and practiced medical professional when a knee injury or any condition affects your ability to function normally or live comfortably. After all, if there was a treatment solution that could treat your chronic pain and restore your mobility in a joint as important as the knee, wouldn’t you try it?

While your experience as a patient is unique, there are certain times that immediate medical care is necessary. Specifically, when you suffer 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. Immediate, extreme swelling that happens in the three to four hours after an acute trauma impacts the knee is usually a sign that blood is trapped in the joint.

What To Do After a Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO

When in doubt, err on the side of caution and seek out medical care right away after you notice a potential knee injury. Especially in the case of an acute or sudden injury, the commonly known RICE method can help mitigate the damage and support your knee injury recovery with a swift response to the trauma.

The RICE method refers to:

Rest. If you experience pain or suspect a knee injury, do not force any activity or introduce any additional undue stress to the joint. If possible, avoid putting weight on the affected knee and minimize movement.
Ice. The application of ice or a cold compress after an injury like a knee injury can help temporarily ease the pain and reduce swelling. When using ice on an injury, do not apply the ice directly on bare skin and remember to follow an alternating schedule of 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off.
Compression. It may be helpful to wrap the injured knee with a soft, elastic bandage or ace wrap. Take care not to wrap the area so tight that it causes pain or cuts off blood and oxygen circulation to the injured area.
Elevate. During the initial resting time after the occurrence of your knee injury, you can use pillows, a stool, or another prop or structure to help keep your injured knee elevated higher than your heart. This elevation can stimulate reparative blood flow to the injury, reduce pressure and throbbing, and encourage the removal of waste from the area.

Getting Physical Therapy for your Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO

As a valued knee injury treatment patient with Axes Physical Therapy in the Olympian Village, MO area, you will work with a dedicated physical therapist who will work with you by administering a custom physical therapy treatment plan in Olympian Village, MO. With extensive clinical success restoring knee injury patients back to optimal performance, your physical therapist will put their advanced education and the latest empirical data on the most up-to-date treatment practices to use to help you successfully heal from your Olympian Village, 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.

When you visit Axes near Olympian Village, MO for your first appointment after a suspected knee injury, your physical therapist will conduct an evaluation of your overall condition, health history, and an injury screening. From ensuring that your physical therapist is operating with a complete picture of your condition and overall health to consistently practicing the prescribed treatments and exercises, it is critical that you take an active role in your knee injury physical therapy treatment.

In order to eliminate pain and other symptoms, heal the damaged tissue, and return you to optimal physical performance, your physical therapist may employ a number of methods to target the source of your knee injury.

Therapeutic exercises and stretches
Gait and posture training
Heat and ice applications
Ultrasound
Electric stimulation
Kinesiology taping
Soft tissue massages or knee joint mobilization

The movement health professionals at Axes Physical Therapy in the Olympian Village, MO area have a track record of effectively addressing the source of our patients’ pain, injuries, and movement disorders and returning them to the activities they value. Learn more about our treatment capabilities and the types of conditions we specialize in for patients near Olympian Village, MO, such as:

Recover from your Knee Injury in Olympian Village, MO Now

If you suffered an acute knee injury while being active or are experiencing any symptoms that you think may be caused by any type of knee injury, do not waste any time. Talk to a trustworthy healthcare professional right away. As licensed physical and occupational therapists with decades of clinical experience restoring the mobility of our patients, the physical therapists of Axes Physical Therapy in Olympian Village, MO will guide you in your recovery by creating a personalized treatment plan based on the latest proven practices in movement health. Contact our Olympian Village, MO treatment professionals or find our facility that is most convenient for you to begin your healing journey and obtain relief from your knee injury.