Female Speaker: Is knee pain holding you back? Here to discuss the various injuries that can hurt this complex joint, is the PGA tour doctor.
Dr. Vijay Vad: A knee injury can be extremely uncomfortable and may even prevent you from participating in your favorite activities. Let's look at some of the more common causes of acute knee pain. The knee contains four ligaments, large bands of tissues that connect the bones together. The two most commonly torn are the Medial Collateral Ligament or MCL and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament or the ACL. A torn ACL usually results from sports that involve slowing down or pivoting rapidly like skiing or basketball.
People who play these sports may feel or hear a pop characteristic of a torn ACL injury. After suffering this injury, it is unlikely that you will be able to immediately put weight on the injured leg.
A meniscus injury can also cause knee pain. The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage which helps the bones glide pass each other. Meniscal tears can occur in a golfer when a flex knee puts excessive torque on the meniscus causing a tear.
Several years ago, golf fans were shocked when Tiger Woods retools his legendary swing. One reason why Tiger opted to make this change was because his powerful swing was damaging the meniscus in the left knee.
Tendons are fibrous bands of tissue which connect muscles to bones. Tendinitis results when one of the knees two tendons becomes overused. The discomfort of tendinitis really isn't constant but occurs during periods of activity. Tendon injuries often occur in people who ski, these injuries can also result from inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome is a form of knee injury that occurs when the ligament that extends from the outside of the pelvic bone to the inside of the lower leg bone becomes so tight that it rubs against the upper thigh bone, the femur. The sharp burning pain that results from Iliotibial Band Syndrome is commonly found in distance runners. Often, the pain does not begin until ten or fifteen minutes into a run.
Another painful injury, a dislocated knee cap, occurs when the bone that covers the knee slips out of place, often to the outside of the knee. This injury is usually visible to the eye and is bound to cause pain and swelling in the affected area.
Bursitis of the knee is another known cause of knee pain. It occurs when the bursa, small sacs of fluid which cushion the knee joints become inflamed and painful.
Sometimes called housemaid's knee. This injury often occurs after long periods of kneeling. A variety of injuries can cause the serious burning, swelling and discomfort, that is characteristic of knee pain. If left untreated, knee injuries may recur or become worse. So please see your doctor at the first sign of pain.
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