Injuries to the knee are common among sportspersons, particularly athletes who play sports that require high speed and strength, such as basketball, baseball, or soccer. The most common types of injuries include ligament tears and cartilage damage. The main goal of treatment for most sports-related knee injuries is to restore normal function as quickly as possible. In addition, Dr. Stephen Fisher Braselton may want to protect against future injury risk, reduce pain and improve mobility.
Orthopedic surgeons use noninvasive strategies to treat knee injuries, such as ACL and meniscus tears. Noninvasive strategies, such as Selphyl’s PRP for meniscus tear, are an excellent option for patients who do not want surgery but still want their knee to heal without complications. The following five strategies are some of the most common ones:
Immobilization with a brace
The orthopedic surgeon will immobilize your knee with a brace in this strategy. The brace is made of metal or plastic and has four straps attached to the knee. The orthopedic surgeon will use straps to hold the knee in place, so it does not move or shift during healing. The orthopedic surgeon may also prescribe other noninvasive strategies to treat different injuries. It is a important part of orthopedic surgeons jobs.
Adhesive arthroscopy
Adhesive arthroscopy involves inserting a camera into the knee joint through an incision on the front of the leg. The camera then allows the surgeon access to the knee joint’s cartilage, ligaments, and bones.
X-ray therapy
X-ray therapy uses high-powered X-rays to treat degenerative conditions like arthritis and osteoarthritis. Doctors may use this technology to diagnose problems or take pictures of bones or joints so they can see how they are healing.
Osteotomy
An osteotomy is a surgical procedure involving changes to the bone structure within a joint. By adjusting your bone structure during an osteotomy, doctors can help relieve pain caused by certain conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis. This procedure can also help with other conditions, such as scoliosis. By making adjustments to the bones surrounding an injured area, doctors may be able to alleviate some of the pain associated with this condition.
Steroid injections
Orthopedic surgeons can use steroid injections to reduce swelling and inflammation in the knee. They are injected directly into the knee joint area where injured ligaments attach. Some patients also benefit from using a corticosteroid injection pre-filled with a local anesthetic. That type of injection is more effective than a traditional steroid injection because it has a longer duration of action and less risk of side effects.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help improve knee function after an injury occurs by strengthening muscles around the joint and improving the range of motion at each joint in your body (e.g., hips, shoulders, knees).
This treatment also includes exercises that target specific muscles, such as quadriceps and hamstring muscles that may be weak from overuse or injury. Your doctor will help you perform specific exercises on a mat or with an apparatus that tracks your movements for proper alignment and balance before progressing to more advanced forms of movement like walking or running.
Knee injuries are common in sports and can be very painful. If your knee hurts after a workout, you may have a sports injury that needs medical attention. Sports injuries can range from minor sprains and strains to torn ligaments and fractures. Contact Stephen Fisher, MD of Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeons, located in Cumming, for professional advice regarding the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
