Knee-Dislocation?Article by David Dansereau for My-Physical-Therapy-Coach.com “Did you hear a pop?”When I evaluate a knee injury that occurred during a sporting event, that is a question I commonly ask to determine a possible knee-dislocation .The reason: When the force exceeds the strength of a knee ligament a pop may be heard by an athlete as they quickly cut or turn or the knee is crushed by the weight of another player. Let’s analyze New England Patriot Wes Welker’s knee injury a bit closer by watching this replay.
You decide…Did Wes hear a pop? (You have to play the video to see the replay) That "pop" is one quick way to know if a knee-dislocation injury may have occurred. But it is (thankfully) not easy to do as you’ll find out by reading my knee-dislocation article.
Description of Knee DislocationKnee dislocation is a sprain (tear) of multiple (usually three of the four) major ligaments of the knee. The four knee ligaments are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Knee dislocations usually require injury to both cruciate ligaments and one collateral ligament. Ligaments are structures that help keep the normal relationship of the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (leg bone).They allow motion until certain extremes, and any motion beyond these extremes results in ligament sprain. Injury to multiple ligaments results in difficulty in performing sports and even with day-to-day living. Common Signs and Symptoms of Knee Dislocation •One or more pops usually heard or felt at the time of injury Causes Knee-dislocation is caused by a force that exceeds the strength of the ligament. This injury usually is the result of a severe injury, although it may be caused by a non contact injury (such as stepping in a hole in the ground, hyperextending the knee, and twisting). Risk Increases With •Sports that require pivoting, jumping, cutting, or changing direction (basketball, gymnastics, soccer, volleyball) or contact sports (football, rugby); sports on uneven terrain(cross-country running, soccer) •Poor physical conditioning (strength and flexibility) •Improper equipment can contribute to knee-dislocation Preventive Measures •Appropriately warm up and stretch before practice and competition. •Maintain appropriate conditioning •Improve thigh, leg, and knee flexibility •Muscle strength and endurance •Use proper technique •Wear proper equipment (such as the correct length of cleats for the surface).
View my knee-dislocation patient education guide Read more on Wes and his knee rehab here (my 2cents) Want more great articles? Subscribe:
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