Knee Injury in Warrenton, MO

Knee Injury in Warrenton, MO. A knee injury has the power to disrupt your everyday life, and often persists with long-term symptoms. There is nobody in Warrenton, MO who is completely immune to the threat of a knee injury. A knee injury 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, and trauma and damage caused by an accident or while engaging in physical activity.

If you have any symptoms related to the knee — pain, buckling, stiffness, swelling or irritation — you could be suffering from a knee injury. Increase your chances of a full, successful recovery by trusting Axes Physical Therapy for help with your knee injury in the Warrenton, MO area. Our team of physical and occupational therapists will release you from pain and restore your mobility.

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

What Are Knee Injuries?

The knee is the largest human joint, and one that is critical to executing so many of the motions and actions that are unique to humans and allow us to carry out the complicated tasks we use every day to go about our lives. The knee is composed of four different structures, none of which are immune to injury. The knee is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

The bones of the knee include the tibia, femur, and patella. These bones are bound together by groups of muscles, tendons, and ligaments that 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. Within the joint, the end of each bone is capped by a layer of cartilage — essentially a cushion that protects 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 cause a knee injury. If you or a family member have recently experienced an acute trauma to your knee or surrounding area or have developed a chronic condition that could lead to damage to the knee structure, speak with Axes Physical Therapy to discuss your knee injury treatment options in Warrenton, MO today or schedule an appointment online now.

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

The knee is a sophisticated part of the human body — a beautifully designed joint that allows us to execute tasks and movements other animals cannot. However, along with the intricate design comes an inherent susceptibility to a variety of injuries. In fact, knee injuries account for the most common type of sports injury, contributing to 41 percent of all sports injuries. And sports injuries make up only one type of knee injury individuals in Warrenton, MO and throughout the US can suffer. While young people more often get knee injuries from sports and other physical activities, older adults more often get knee injuries after falling or due to the development of a chronic condition such as osteoarthritis.

Consider these fast knee injury 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
68% of knee injury victims are male
Fifty percent of all knee injuries take place during physical activity
Among sports-related knee injuries, soccer and skiing are the most dangerous sports and activities, each responsible for over a quarter of all sports knee injuries
Other top causes of knee injuries are related to home structures (30.2%), and home furnishings (13.6%)
By far the most common type of knee injury is a strain or sprain, making up 42.1% of all knee injury cases, followed by contusions and abrasions at 27.1% and lacerations and puncture wounds at 10.5%

Most Common Warrenton, MO Knee Injuries

Sprains and Strains. A sprain or strain knee injury involves a muscle or ligament within the joint structure of the knee. These injuries happen when the knee meets a sudden force or is suddenly forced in the wrong direction (for example, planting the foot and pivoting, twisting the knee in the wrong direction).
Fractures. A fracture is a broken bone, which can be anything from a stress fracture or crack in the bone to a much more brutal break like a comminuted fracture when a bone is crushed into several fragments. Even the kneecap bone, called the patella, can be fractured in a knee injury, especially in events such as car accidents or forceful falls on hard surfaces.
Cartilage or Ligament Tears. Damage to the ligaments and cartilage in and around the knee are frequently 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. You can get more information about our treatment and therapy services for Warrenton, 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 arthritis or a similar condition and have symptoms of a knee injury like pain and limited mobility, your arthritis may be causing a knee injury and can even lead to the potential development of bone spurs. Arthritis can result in rapid and irreversible degeneration of the cartilage and in your knee joint.
Tendonitis and Inflammation. When under constant stress or overuse, tendons in the knee can become inflamed. This is common in patients who engage in frequent running, jumping, or cycling activities. One of the most common types of tendonitis knee injuries is what is known as jumper’s knee. This condition is caused by the repeated force of hitting the ground when landing a jump.

Knee Injury Risk Factors in Warrenton, MO

Being overweight. Heaviness or obesity introduces inordinate stress on your knees and most other joints in the body, even during ordinary activities such as walking or going up and down stairs. It is also a risk factor for developing osteoarthritis because it speeds up the breakdown of joint cartilage.
Weakness or stiffness. Inadequate strength or flexibility can put you at a heightened risk of succumbing to a knee injury. Strong muscles protect your joints and keep them properly aligned, while muscle flexibility make it possible to reach full range of motion.
Some activities and occupations. Some sports put greater stress on your knees than do others. Downhill skiing with its rigid ski boots and potential for falls, basketball jumps and pivots, and the relentless pounding your knees take when you run or jog all increase your risk of knee injury in Warrenton, MO. Jobs that require repetitive stress on the knees such as construction or farming put you at an increased risk as well.
Previous Injury. Having a previous knee injury 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 wear thin, and conditions associated with advanced age like osteoporosis leave your bones weak, making you.

Do I Need Knee Injury Treatment in Warrenton, MO?

As with any medical condition or injury, each case is different and you should always speak with a licensed and practiced medical professional any time you experience a condition such as a knee injury that makes it difficult or impossible for you to function as normal or causes you serious pain. 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 your experience as a knee injury sufferer is unique, some times immediate medical care is warranted. 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. Quick, extreme swelling that occurs 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 Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO

When you come to Axes Physical Therapy for knee injury treatment near you in the Warrenton, MO area, you will work with one dedicated physical therapist who will work with you for the entirety of your knee injury physical therapy treatment plan in Warrenton, MO. With years of clinical experience guiding knee injury patients back to optimal movement health, your physical therapist will draw upon their extensive education and the most current evidence-based practices to treat the cause of your Warrenton, MO knee injury at the source, successfully returning you to all the activities you care about and need to be able to do for work, home, and recreation.

When you visit Axes near Warrenton, MO for your first appointment after a suspected knee injury, your physical therapist will conduct 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 practicing the prescribed treatments and exercises, you are a critical piece in your knee injury treatment puzzle. It is imperative that you take an active role 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 therapist may employ a variety of therapies to target your knee injury.

Stretches and exercises
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 Warrenton, MO area have experience guiding patients with all kinds of movement disorders, chronic pain, and injuries back to the life and activities they value. Find out more about the conditions we treat and the treatment methods we provide in the Warrenton, MO area, such as:

Recover from your Knee Injury in Warrenton, MO Now

If you suffered an acute knee injury or are suffering from any symptoms that you think may be caused by any type of knee injury, do not waste any time. Contact a trustworthy healthcare professional as soon as possible. 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 Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO to restore your mobility and acheive relief from your knee injury.

Knee Injury Warrenton, MO