The result of our OPEN MRI is a sophisticated diagnostic picture of the area your orthopedic specialist wishes to view. What’s more, there is no pain, no known side effects, and no radiation used with our OPEN MRI. This high-tech machine is ideal for patients who are claustrophobic. Patients who have had both a closed MRI and an open MRI have commented that the open MRI is much quieter and ear plugs are not necessary.

Who Benefits from OPEN MRI?

Our new OPEN MRI unit is designed with patient comfort in mind, unlike the narrow, whole body-scanning tunnel of the traditional MRI system. This unit is open on all four sides, a major advantage for big people who find the tunnel confining and constricting. Also, children who become frightened inside a tunnel will benefit from our OPEN MRI system. They can see their parents while lying on the table and feel more in control and less hidden.

Closed MRI versus OPEN MRI

With closed MRIs, the patient must lie down on a table and have a large tube slide over them, much like being in a tanning bed. The procedure lasts around 30 to 45 minutes and the patient must lie still for the entire test. In contrast, our OPEN MRI unit is built in a “C” shape configuration and the patient is never fully enclosed in the machine.

What are some Orthopedic Conditions that require MRI for Diagnosis?

Magnetic resonance imaging is done for a variety of reasons, but mainly to assist our orthopedic specialists in determining exactly what the cause of your injury or condition is related to.

Some of the reasons an OPEN MRI is done include:

Arthritis – Bone Tumors – Torn Cartilage – Torn Tendons – Torn Ligaments

How does it feel to have an OPEN MRI?

The table you lie on may feel hard and the room will be cool. You should not experience any pain from the magnetic field or radio waves that are utilized during the scan material is used, you will.

What are some Reasons why I cannot have an MRI Scan?

Pregnancy – MRI scans are not typically done during pregnancy. However, in certain cases, MRI may be done to get more information about a possible problem that cannot be seen with standard ultrasound.

Medical Devices – Any devices that use electronics may lead to problems with the magnetic field. These include pacemakers, medicine infusion pumps, and defibrillators.

Metal– If you have been a welder at any time in your life, we may do an x-ray scan to make sure you don’t have metal flecks in your body. Most medical devices are made from titanium and have no affect on the MRI.

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Dupuytren’s (pronounced “duh-pwee-trahns”) disease changes the way your hand looks and makes it impossible to use one or more of your fingers. With Dupuytren’s contracture the tissue under the skin of the palm of your hand thickens and becomes shorter. This leads to the fingers bending in toward the palm and it becomes difficult to straighten them. This condition occurs more in people who are older than fifty years and is more common in men. Dupuytren’s disease, sometimes referred to as Viking’s disease often affects both hands, too. Our orthopedic specialists can treat this condition but there is no cure for it.

What causes Dupuytren’s disease?

The cause of Dupuytren’s disease is not known. What doctors do know is that it is not caused by an injury or heavy hand usage. Some experts believe it is inherited because the condition tends to run in families. The thickening of the tissue is thought to be related to diabetes, alcoholism, and/or smoking. Certain factors put people at greater risk for developing Dupuytren’s disease. These include:

-It is most common in people of Northern European or Scandinavian ancestry.
-It often runs in families (genetics).
-It may be associated with drinking alcohol.
-It increases in frequency with age.
-It is associated with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and seizures.

What are the symptoms of Dupuytren’s contracture?

Dupuytren’s contracture progresses slowly and does not cause any pain. The first thing you may notice is a small lump in the palm of your hand, usually near where your ring finger and small finger meet. As the disease worsens, a fibrous cord may develop along the tissue of your palm.

This cord could extend to one or more fingers and pull your finger toward your palm. This is why it is called Dupuytren’s contracture because the fingers contract up. As the disease progresses, you may not be able to flatten your hand on a table or manually push your fingers back. This makes it difficult to put on gloves, pick up things, or wash your hands.

How is Dupuytren’s disease diagnosed?

Basically, our doctor diagnoses this condition based on the clinical appearance of your hand and your symptoms. They will look for any skin changes on your palm and feel for a cord or any lumps. You will be asked to move your hand, fingers, and wrist and he will attempt to move them. He will ask you about injury, trauma, smoking, alcohol use, diabetes, and family history.

How is Dupuytren’s contracture treated?

Unfortunatly, there is little therapy that is proven to provide significant improvement in the contracture associated with Dupuytrens.

There are two in-office procedures that are quite successful for many cases of dupuytrens contracture. The first is Xiaflex injections, which are a collagenase that breaks down the dupuytrens cords. The sequence is that the cord is injected on one office visit, requiring a visit 24 hours later to manipulate the finger straight. Many patients have very good success with getting their hands straight even with severe contractures. The medication is usually covered by insurance, but is fairly expensive right now, usually requiring pre-approval.

The second in-office procedure that is quite successful in carefully selected situations is the Needle Aponeurotomy procedure (NA). This is a one-visit procedure which allows for the cords to be transected with a needle in the office, often producing dramatic resolution of the long-standing contracture. The procedure is relatively painless and the relief of the deformity is quite good. The lasting effects of the Xiaflex injections or the Needle Aponeurotomy procedures is about 3 years on average.

It is important to remember that with any procedure, Dupuytrens is treated, but not eliminated.

Surgery may be recommended if the deformity is severe and there is significant joint contractures. This woud be determined at a consultation by one of our hand orthopedic specialists, Dr Wayne Weil or Dr Scott Ruhlman. In the procedure, the cord is excized and the joint released along with rearranging the skin on the palm of the hand to provide full extension.

Typically there is therapy required for about 4-6 weeks to maintain the results of the surgery. Typically, most patients see at least 5 years of relief, if not more, from the surgical excision.

If you would like to hear more, do not hesitate to contact our office at 206-633-8100 for a consultation.

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Anterior hip surgery is not a new idea; in fact, many surgeons have chosen this approach since the 1980s. However, what is new about the anterior hip replacement procedure is the surgeons are using smaller incisions and more specialized instruments to make the surgery less traumatic to the patient.

Regardless of the type of incision, all hip replacements require your orthopedic specialist to replace the top of the thigh bone (the femur) and the pelvis socket. The hip joint is deep within the body at the junction of the femur and pelvis. The main goal with these procedures, regardless of where the incision is made, is that they replace the ball and socket of this joint.

What are some Unique Aspects of Anterior Approach Hip Replacement?

To help limit post-surgical soreness and irritation, the minimally invasive anterior approach uses a small incision. The anterior approach to hip replacement is a muscle-splitting approach, also. This means that the orthopedic specialist gets to the hip between two muscles, rather than by removing and then reattaching the muscle tissue. The advantage is thought to be that recovery can proceed quicker because there is no reattached muscle that needs to heal. Another advantage of the anterior approach is that there tends to be a lower rate of dislocation. Most complications, however, are similar to those complications of standard hip replacement.

Is Anterior Hip Replacement Better than Traditional Surgery?

Our orthopedic specialists feel that the anterior hip replacement option is an improvement over other approaches for surgery because of the increased recovery time. The goal of surgery is to give you a joint that is pain-free and will last you a long time, allow you to recover in a shorter period of time, and to get you back to your activities of daily living.

What are the Common Causes of Hip Pain?

The most common reason for an anterior hip replacement is from the pain and disability brought on by arthritis. Osteoarthritis, or “OA”, is the age-related “wear-and-tear” type of the disease. It is more common in people over age fifty and those with a family history of arthritis. The cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip wears away and the bones then start to rub against each other. This leads to significant stiffness and hip pain.

A worse form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis or RA. RA is an autoimmune disease where the synovial membrane becomes thick and inflamed. The constant chronic inflammation of RA causes damage to the cartilage and this leads to stiffness and pain. Post-traumatic arthritis can follow a serious hip fracture or other injury. With this type, the cartilage becomes damaged from the trauma and pain and stiffness sets in.

Another cause of hip pain is avascular necrosis. This is an injury to the hip that limits the blood supply to the top portion of the thigh bone (the femur). This could be from a dislocation or fracture. When the bone is deprived of blood, the surface could collapse and arthritis develops.

What Should I Do Before the Surgery?

Several adjustments can make your house easier to navigate during your recovery. The following tips may help with daily activities:

-Install securely fastened safety bars or handrails in your shower or bath
-Secure handrails along all stairways
-Purchase a stable chair for your early recovery with a firm seat cushion, a firm back, and two arm rests
-Use a raised toilet seat
-Purchase a stable shower bench or chair for bathing
-Use a long-handled sponge and shower hose
-Get dressing stick, sock aid, and long-handled shoe horn for putting on and taking off shoes and socks
-Purchase a “reacher” that will allow you to grab objects without excessive bending of your hips
-Use firm pillows for your chairs, sofas, and car that allow you to sit with your knees below your hips
-Remove of all loose carpets, throw rugs, and electrical cords from the areas where you walk

What are the Pros and Cons of the Anterior Hip Replacement Approach?

The anterior approach has many benefits. Some of these include:

-Accelerated rehabilitation time because key muscles do not have to be detached during the procedure
-Fewer restrictions during recovery because the patient can more freely bend the hip and bear weight
-Reduced scaring because the technique uses one relatively small incision
-More stable implant sooner after the surgery because muscle and tissue do not have to be disturbed

As with other types of surgery, the anterior approach has some risks. These include:

-Infection – may occur superficially in the wound or deep inside around the prosthesis
-Blood Clot – may occur in the leg veins or pelvic region; can be life-threatening
-Leg-Length Inequality – occurs when one leg feels longer than the other
-Dislocation – occurs when the ball comes out of the socket

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Bones are composed of a soft spongy center called marrow. The outer portion of the bone is harder and it contains the minerals calcium and phosphorus. The bones of the body make up the human skeleton and this protects the softer body parts and allows us to stand up and bear weight. Bones are really rigid but they can bend or ‘give’ when outside force is applied to them. Certain bones, like the ones of the hand, wrist, and arm, can absorb shock more than other bones. If a force is too great a bone will break.

OSS surgeons can stabilize and cast pediatric fractures at our offices.

Elbow Fractures

Children fall all the time and most of these incidences do not result in serious injury. However, if a child falls on an outstretched arm, a fracture could occur to one of the bones around the elbow. There are several areas where the fracture could occur with an elbow break. It could be above the elbow (supracondylar), it could be at the elbow knob (condylar), it could be at the inside of the elbow tip (epicondylar), or it could be at the growth plate (Physis). An elbow dislocation can even break off the head of the forearm bone (the radius).

Treatment will all depend on the type of fracture the child sustains, the degree of displacement (how far apart the bone ends are), and the severity of the injury. If the fracture forced the bones out of alignment, the orthopedic specialist will have to manipulate them back into place. Oftentimes surgery is needed and the surgeon uses pins, screws, or wires to hold the bone pieces in place.

Ankle Fractures

A broken ankle is a common childhood injury. These injuries result in a break in one or more of the bones that make up the ankle: the fibula, the tibia, and the talus. These fractures typically involve the growth plate, an area of developing cartilage tissue that regulates bone growth and helps to determine the shape and length of the bone. Pediatric ankle fractures occur during sports and vigorous play when the child’s lower leg or foot twists unexpectedly.

Treatment will depend on the location of the break, the degree of damage to the growth plate, the position of the foot at the time of injury, and the direction of the force at the time of fracture. Some of these fractures can be put back together by a procedure called closed reduction. After this, the doctor puts on a cast so the bones can heal. If this procedure is unsuccessful, or if the fracture is too severe, the doctor will have to perform an open reduction where the soft tissue is removed and the bones are realigned and held in place with pins and screws.

Knee Fractures

A break in the upper part of the shinbone (the tibia) can result from a low-energy injury, like a fall from a tree or from a high-energy injury, such as a four-wheeler accident. These are called fractures of the proximal tibia and there is often soft tissue injury accompanying the break. Nerves and blood vessels going through the knee are end-to-end with the bony structures and are often injured along with muscle, tendons, and ligaments.

When the orthopedic specialist considers treatment, he will take into account the child’s age, his or her lifestyle and activity level, the degree and severity of the injury, and the child’s medical condition. Oftentimes, knee fractures require emergency surgery where vertical incisions are made to release the skin and muscle covering the broken bone. This procedure is called a fasciotomy and these incisions must be left open for several weeks so the soft tissue can recover and the swelling can go down. The surgeon may have to use rods and plates to repair a knee fracture, also.

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How will I know if I have Shin Splints?

Shin splints are very common, causing around 20% of all running injuries. Most runners develop them from changing the type of surface they run on or after ramping up their workout intensity. This condition is also very common among dancers.

Shin splints cause an aching, dull type of pain in the front of the lower leg and some people feel it only when they exercise. Others feel it right after they have stopped exercising and then there are some people who have constant shin pain. This will all depend on the exact cause. The pain can be located in the front of the leg and to each of the sides of the lower leg. When swollen muscles irritate the nerves of the feet, they will go numb and get weak.

What are the Risk Factors for Shin Splints?

When you are at risk for shin splints and your legs start to ache, you may want to see your doctor. In order to diagnose shin splints, your doctor will probably ask you questions about risk factors and he may want to take some X-rays to see if there are any fractures in your legs. You may need a thorough physical exam and the doctor may want to do a bone scan. Sometimes, it is necessary for your doctor to run a series of tests to diagnose this problem.

Some risk factors for shin splints are:

Running or jogging
Dancing
Flatfeet or rigid arches
Military training
Sudden increase in training
New vigorous workout routine

How is Shin Splints Treated?

There are many different problems that can cause shin splints, but the treatment is generally the same, regardless of the cause. Here are some things your orthopedic specialist may prescribe or recommend:
Rest – Your doctor will likely take you out of sporting activities for a few weeks.

Ice – Icing the shin will reduce swelling and limit pain. You can do this for 20 minutes every three or four hours until the pain is gone.
NSAIDS – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are useful to help with pain and take down inflammation. These are only recommended for a short period of time.

Arch Supports – Adding arch supports to your shoes will help flat feet.
Range of Motion Exercises – Your doctor will recommend exercises that will help shin splints.

Physical Therapy – Often times, the orthopedic specialist will order PT for you to strengthen the muscles in your legs.
Surgery – For some people, surgery is the only treatment option. Your doctor will decide if this option is right for you.

When will my Shin Splints feel Better?

There is no way for your doctor to known exactly when your shin splints are going to go away, because this will depend on what is causing them. People heal at different rates, too, so a general rule of thumb is two weeks. The most important thing for you to do is not exercise while you have shin splints so the problem doesn’t get any worse. Your shin splints are fully healed when:

Your injured leg is as flexible and strong as your other leg.
You can run, jog, sprint, and jump without pain.
Your X-rays are normal or your stress fractures have healed.

How Can I Prevent Shin Splints?

Of course, the best medicine comes in the form of prevention. To prevent shin splints you can:

Warm up before working out, making sure to stretch the muscles in your legs.
Always wear shoes with good support and padding.
Don’t run or play on hard surfaces like concrete.
Stop working out as soon as you feel pain in your shins.

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What are the Common Causes of Hip Pain?

The most common cause of chronic hip pain and disability is arthritis. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and traumatic arthritis are the most common forms of this disease. Osteoarthritis is an age-related “wear and tear” type of arthritis that usually occurs in people who are over 50 years of age. The cartilage cushioning the bones of the hip joint wears away, leaving the bones to rub against one another. This friction type of rubbing leads to hip pain and stiffness. Another type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. This is an autoimmune disease where the synovial membrane becomes inflamed and thickened. Rheumatoid arthritis is a type of “inflammatory arthritis”, and this chronic inflammation damages cartilage and leads to stiffness and pain. Post-traumatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that can follow a serious hip injury or fracture. The pain and stiffness occurs when the cartilage becomes damaged over time.

Other causes of hip pain include avascular necrosis and childhood hip disease. Avascular necrosis occurs when an injury, such as a fracture or dislocation, limits the blood supply to the upper head of the femur bone (the thigh bone). The surface of the bone collapses due to lack of adequate blood supply and arthritis sets in. Childhood hip disease can lead to arthritis also. This happens when the hip cannot grow normally and the joint surfaces are affected.

What Happens During a Total Hip Replacement?

A total hip replacement is also referred to as a total hip arthroplasty. This procedure allows the orthopedic specialist to remove damaged bone and cartilage and replace it with prosthetic components. Basically, the damage to the top section of the femur is removed and replaced with a metal stem. This femoral stem can be press fitted into the bone or cemented. A metal or ceramic ball is then put on the upper portion of this stem to replace what was removed. The damaged cartilage surface is also removed and screws or cement holds the new prosthetic socket in place.

Replacement surgery can also be done through an anterior hip replacement. The anterior approach is less invasive than traditional open hip surgery, as the muscles are moved, instead of detached. Doctors Charles Peterson II, MD, Philip Downer, MD, and J. Michael Watt, MD all preform anterior hip replacements at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle. Talk to your doctor to find out the best surgical approach that is right for you.

Am I a Candidate for Hip Replacement Surgery?

The decision to have hip replacement should be one made not only by you, but with input from your family members, your orthopedic specialist, and your primary care doctor. There are no age or weight restrictions for this procedure and recommendations for surgery are based on your pain and disability. Total hip replacements have been done successfully on people of all ages from the young teen with juvenile arthritis to the elderly patient with degenerative arthritis of the hip. There are a few reasons why your doctor may recommend a total hip replacement for you. These include:

-You have hip pain that limits everyday activities, such as walking or bending.
-You have hip pain that continues while resting, either day or night.
-You have stiffness in a hip that limits the ability to move or lift the leg.
-You have inadequate pain relief from anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, or walking supports.

What Activities Should I Avoid and What Can I Do After Hip Replacement Surgery?

There will be a few things you will have to avoid after a total hip replacement. For 6 to 12 months, you should not pivot or twist the involved leg. Also, you cannot cross the leg past the midline of your body nor turn that leg inward. Bending at the hip past 90 degrees is also to be avoided. Your physical therapist will provide you with adaptive equipment, special skills, and techniques to help you follow these guidelines and precautions while you heal. Even after your hip joint has healed completely, sporting activities and heavy usage work activities should be avoided. Here are some helpful tips for maneuvering after this surgery:

-Keep stair climbing to a minimum and make arrangements so you will only have to go up and down the steps once or twice a day.
-Sit in a firm, straight-back chair. Recliners should not be used.
-To avoid falls, remove all throw rug, keep floors and rooms clutter free, and hold to objects when walking.
Use an elevated toilet seat because this will help keep from bending too far at the hips.
-Keep enthusiastic pets away until you have healed completely.
Ask your doctor before returning to such activities such as sexual activity, exercise, and driving.

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Physical therapy uses non-invasive and non-medical techniques and tools to help you improve total body function. Our physical therapist focuses on relief of pain, promotion of healing, restoration of function and movement, and adaption and facilitation associated with the injury involved. PT also focuses on body mechanics training, wellness, and fitness so you can improve your quality of life. Our physical therapist uses exercise, cold therapy, heat treatments, electricity, and therapeutic massage to achieve the goals of restoring maximum functioning to each individual patient.

Physical therapists are licensed health care professionals with a master’s degree or doctorate degree in physical therapy. These specialists can evaluate, diagnose, and manage your treatment plan. These therapists work with a team of other health care professionals and under the direction of an orthopedic surgeon.

How Does Physical Therapy Help me Recover from Injury?

PT can help you recover from an injury and avoid further injury by improving flexibility and function, building muscle strength, and reducing the pain in the soft tissues. These structures include the tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Our physical therapist can evaluate how you currently do an activity and provide suggestions for ways to do this activity to prevent injury and improve your range of motion. Following are examples of injuries for which physical therapy is helpful:

Back pain
Plantar fasciitis
Menisus Tear
Rotator Cuff Trauma
Wrist Pain
Elbow Pain
Surgery

How Can Physical Therapy Help with Chronic Health Conditions?

PT can also help you live with chronic and ongoing health conditions. Our physical therapist will work with you to help establish goals and then create a workable program for you. This physical therapy program will involve range of motion activities, strengthening exercises, endurance techniques, and other tools of the trade. Some chronic conditions that physical therapy can help include:

Spinal stenosis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Multiple Sclerosis
Temporomandibular problems
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Parkinson’s disease
Vertigo
Degenerative disc disease
Chronic fatigue and weakness
Bowel or bladder incontinence
Osteoporosis

How Can Physical Therapy Help with Health Conditions of Childhood?

Our physical therapists can also work with children who have major injuries and health problems to address the different conditions. Each individual child’s special growth and development needs are assessed and a special treatment plan for each is developed. Some of the health conditions of childhood that can be treated with physical therapy include:

Muscular dystrophy
Juvenile arthritis
Cerebral palsy
Osgood Schlatter’s disease
Congenital birth defects

Contact us if you are a candidate for physical therapy.

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Read the full article on by our very own Dr. Scott Ruhlman. He preforms the new surgical technique that allows for stronger repair and earlier recovery.

What Makes Up the Rotator Cuff?

The shoulder is made up of three bony structures: your shoulder blade (called the scapula), your upper arm bone (known as the humerus), and your collarbone (what doctors call the clavicle). These structures make up a ball-and-socket joint that rotates in different positions. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that come together at the top of the humerus bone. These structures form a “cuff” to hold your arm in place and allow it to rotate in various directions. Also, you have a lubricating sac between the rotator cuff and the humerus. This is called a bursa and it allows the tendons of this area to freely glide and move with your arm rotation. The bursa can become painful and inflamed when the rotator cuff is injured, damaged, or torn.

Who Gets a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Many athletes are prone to getting these types of injuries. Swimmers, tennis players, football players, and baseball players (especially the pitchers) all are at risk for a rotator cuff tear. Also, you can tear your rotator cuff by lifting heavy objects or weights, using your arm to break a fall, or simply falling the wrong way on your shoulder.

What are the Types of Rotator Cuff Tears?

If you tear one of your rotator cuff tendons, this structure no longer attaches to the top of the humerus and in many cases, the torn area starts to fray. As the damage gets worse, the tendon could tear completely with strenuous activity. A partial tear is when there is just damage to the soft tissue and the injury does not sever the tendon or muscle.

A full-thickness tear results when the soft tissue splits or pulls away completely from its attachment to the bone resulting in a complete tear. Basically, this results in a hole in the tendon. An acute tear results when you fall on an outstretched arm or lift objects with a jerking motion. A degenerative tear occurs slowly over time. This is the result of wearing down of the tendon and is more common in older individuals. There are several factors that contribute to degenerative rotator cuff tears. These include repetitive stress, lack of adequate blood supply, and bone spurs.

What are the Symptoms of a Rotator Cuff Tear?

Most rotator cuff tears come on gradually, but they can occur suddenly, too. You may feel a “pop” and then intense pain in the affected arm and shoulder area. Other symptoms include pain in the shoulder and arm, weakness and tenderness of the shoulder, snapping or crackling sounds with shoulder movement, difficulty lifting the arm above the head, and inability to lie on the shoulder region. The pain and inflammation are often felt worse at night.

How is a Rotator Cuff Tear Treated?

Your orthopedic specialist may recommend surgery if your injury is serious or if the pain doesn’t resolve with nonsurgical measures. Continued limited range of motion and persistent pain and weakness are indications for surgery. This procedure involves reattaching the tendon to the upper arm bone. Your doctor will discuss which procedure is best for your healthcare needs.

One surgical measure the orthopedic specialist may perform is a shoulder arthroscopy. This allows assess the extent of the injury while the orthopedic specialist repairs the torn tendon or muscle. During an arthroscopy, you will be put to sleep using general anesthesia. A small camera is inserted into the shoulder area through a tiny incision. This allows the doctor to visualize the injury on a TV monitor and repair the rotator cuff tear. Large tears may require a small incision to allow adequate repair of the detached rotator cuff tendons. Following this procedure, the arm will be kept in a sling for a couple of weeks and you will undergo physical therapy.

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Some people are more likely than others to develop knee injuries and problems. There are factors that increase your chances of having these issues such as certain jobs, sporting and recreation activities, getting older, or having a disease like arthritis or osteoporosis. Knee problems are the most common reason for visiting an orthopedic specialist’s office.

The knee is your body’s largest joint. Two discs known as the meniscus separate the upper and lower leg bones. There are many tendons, ligaments, and muscles that connect the upper leg bone (femur) to the lower leg bones (the tibia and fibula). There is articular cartilage inside the joint to absorb shock and provide the smooth gliding movement of the knee.

There are four major ligaments found in the knee and three of these are commonly injured during sporting activities. These include the anterior cruciate ligament (the ACL), the medial collateral ligament (the MCL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (the PCL).

What are the most common ligament injuries?

ACL Injury – When you change direction rapidly or land wrong from a jump, you can suffer tears of the ACL. Athletes who ski, basketball players, and football players are susceptible to ACL injuries.

MCL Injury – Damage to the MCL usually occurs from a direct blow to the outside of the knee. This type of injury most often occurs in contact sports like soccer or football.

PCL Injury – When an athlete receives a blow to the front of the knee or to the upper tibia (lower leg bone) or makes a simple misstep on the playing field, a PCL injury can occur.

Other Knee Injuries

Torn Cartilage – A torn meniscus is common during athletic activities. This occurs when twisting, cutting, decelerating, pivoting, or being tackled. Usually, the meniscus is torn from pivoting on the bent knee.

Sprains and Strains – When the ligaments and tendons are stretched or pushed beyond their normal capacity, a sprain or strain can occur.

Kneecap Dislocation – The kneecap (patella) can slip out to the side of the knee with direct contact to the kneecap or with a twisting injury.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – This is pain that occurs in the front of the knee from overuse, injury, excessive weight, or alignment problems of the knee.

Iliotibial Band Syndrome – When there is irritation and inflammation of the band of fibrous tissue that runs down along the lateral (or outside) of the thigh and knee, this particular syndrome occurs and leads to pain.

Your orthopedic specialist will use a variety of methods to treat knee injuries. A common method is known as the RICE method. This stands for “rest, ice, compression, and elevation”. You rest the knee by staying off of it, using crutches, and protected weight bearing. You ice the knee to control swelling and relieve pain. A compression elastic bandage is used to give the injured knee support and to help control swelling. Finally, the knee is kept elevated to reduce swelling. With a new injury, keeping swelling down helps to limit bruising and bleeding into tissues and controls pain.

Many serious injuries that result in torn ligaments and cartilage may require surgery or an arthroscopic procedure in order to heal properly. The orthopedic surgeon will advise you on what is best considering your activity level and your desire to return to your recreation and work activities.
More about knee problems can be found in our knee category.

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