Common Knee Injuries and the Benefits of Exercise Rehab
Knee injuries can significantly impact our daily lives, limiting mobility and causing discomfort. Understanding the common knee injuries, their causes, and effective treatment options is crucial for successful recovery and long-term knee health. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the causes and symptoms of common knee injuries and explore how exercise-based treatment, including AFS (Applied Functional Science) training, at Mixed Osteo, can help prevent and recover from knee injuries such as ACL, meniscus and ligament tears, promote healing, and restore optimal knee function.
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tears:
Causes: ACL tears often occur during activities involving sudden stops, pivots, or direct blows to the knee. In addition to providing effective rehabilitation, exercise-based treatment at Mixed Osteo emphasizes the importance of prehabilitation and injury prevention strategies. AFS training focuses on enhancing neuromuscular control, improving balance and proprioception, and optimizing movement mechanics to reduce the risk of ACL tears.
Meniscus Tears:
Causes: Meniscus tears can result from acute trauma or wear and tear over time. Exercise rehab programs at Mixed Osteo incorporate specific exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint, improve joint stability, and enhance shock absorption, thereby aiding in the prevention and recovery from meniscus tears.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS):
Causes: PFPS is often associated with muscle imbalances and faulty movement patterns. Exercise-based treatment at Mixed Osteo focuses on correcting muscle imbalances, strengthening the hip and thigh muscles, improving flexibility, and optimizing movement mechanics to prevent and alleviate PFPS.
IT Band Syndrome:
Causes: IT Band Syndrome is commonly seen in athletes engaging in repetitive knee movements. Exercise rehab at Mixed Osteo aims to address the underlying causes by incorporating exercises that improve muscle balance, enhance hip and knee stability, and optimize movement mechanics, thus preventing and recovering from IT Band Syndrome.
By incorporating exercise, rehabilitation, and AFS training into our treatment approach, Mixed Osteo strives to provide comprehensive solutions for knee injuries, promoting injury prevention, enhancing recovery, and restoring optimal knee function.
Conclusion: Recovering from knee injuries requires a multifaceted approach that includes both rehabilitation and prevention strategies. At Mixed Osteo, our exercise-based rehab programs, including AFS training, focus on strengthening muscles, improving joint stability, optimizing movement mechanics, and enhancing proprioception to prevent knee injuries and facilitate recovery. By addressing the underlying causes of knee injuries, we aim to promote healing, reduce pain, and restore optimal knee function. Take the first step towards a healthier, pain-free knee by booking an appointment with our experienced osteopaths at Mixed Osteo.
References:
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Esculier JF, et al. Knee biomechanics of moderate- and high-arched female runners following a six-week progressive strength-training program: A randomized controlled trial. J Appl Biomech. 2017;33(2):144-150. doi: 10.1123/jab.2016-0127
Powers CM. The influence of altered lower-extremity kinematics on patellofemoral joint dysfunction: a theoretical perspective. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2003;33(11):639-646. doi: 10.2519/jospt.2003.33.11.639
Fredericson M, Cookingham CL, Chaudhari AM, et al. Hip abductor weakness in distance runners with iliotibial band syndrome. Clin J Sport Med. 2000;10(3):169-175. doi: 10.1097/00042752-200007000-00006
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