Knee Pain Treatment
Knee Injury Treatment
Knees play a major role in allowing one to engage in the wide variety of movements required for everyday activities and sports. With so much stress placed on our knees every day, it's not surprising that many of us suffer knee injuries, whether during athletic activities or as a result of aging.
Treating Knee Injuries
The treatment for knee injuries varies depending on the type of injury and the individual.
A tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), for example, can only be repaired through surgery due to the lack of blood flow to the knee interior. Some prefer to repair their ACLs, while others choose to forgo surgery knowing that they will not be able to do a number of sudden movements. Wearing a professional ACL brace before or after surgery is a good idea.
With the help of RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), the body is able to heal a number of knee injuries on its own. Also, orthotics can help with compression and rest in addition to providing support, stability, and pain relief for knee pain sufferers.
However, surgery may be necessary in other cases, especially for knee ligament injuries. BLITZU sells post-surgical knee orthotics to help speed recovery and ease pain.
Knee Meniscus Injury Treatment
Kneecaps are cushioned by two c-shaped cartilage discs called menisci. Treatment for knee cartilage injuries depends on the location and extent of the damage, as well as the individual's age and level of activity.
Using a knee brace for meniscus injury may also be incorporated into treatment, depending on the severity of injuries. RICE as well as physical therapy could be included in treatment for less serious knee meniscus injuries.
Alternatively, a doctor may recommend surgery to repair a torn meniscus or a partial or total meniscectomy, which removes either part or the entire meniscus. As part of the recovery process from an ACL tear, rest, physical therapy and possibly a knee orthotic may be required.
Orthotics for Runners’ Knee
The term runners' knee refers to pain around the kneecap. Jumper's Knee is another name for this condition. As its name suggests, this condition is caused by frequent knee bending, which is not limited to sports. Runners' knee is caused by the following factors:
- Overuse, which stresses the tendons and nerves of the knee
- Direct trauma to the knee
- Misalignment of the bones
- Problems with the feet (i.e., flat feet)
- Weak thigh muscles
As a general rule, runners' knee can be treated with RICE along with anti-inflammatory medications, although severe cases may require surgery.
If flat feet are the cause, arch supports can be helpful. Also, runners' knee orthotics and jumper's knee braces can improve knee alignment and provide compression to ease knee pain.
Knee Ligament Injury Treatment
In the knee, four ligaments stabilize the joint and prevent it from moving in an unnatural direction:
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL)
An unnatural movement of the leg, such as a pivot to the hoop, a tackle from the side, a fall on the ice, or a tumble while skiing, can tear these ligaments. The repair of many of these ligaments requires surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
ACL tears are becoming more common, especially among children and women. In this case, the ligament can only be repaired through surgery, but it can also be left unrepaired. During the recovery process, one will likely need to wear a knee brace for ACL injuries.
In addition to ACL tears, MCL tears are also relatively common. Depending on the severity of the tear, one may opt to repair it with rest and a knee brace or undergo surgery for MCL injury repair.
Knee Joint Orthotics
Ligament tears and cartilage damage can increase the risk of osteoarthritis in the future. During the course of one's lifetime, one's body goes through a great deal of wear and tear, resulting in pain and stiffness in the joints.
Orthotics can help with symptoms of knee joint pain.
One example is our knee compression sleeve, which reduces pain by treating knee injury swelling. Additionally, it stimulates circulation, which helps treat arthritis and osteoarthritis.
General Knee Injury Brace
The muscles or ligaments of the knee can also be strained, causing knee pain and swelling. For those who are suffering from knee pain, rest is often the best medicine, while orthotics may help provide support while the body heals.
A knee brace like the knee sleeves previously mentioned can provide relief from knee instability and it's easy to use. This knee brace can be used to treat a wide range of injuries to the knee.