ACL/Knee
Knee bracing proven to be ineffective in preventing knee injuries for football players
Knee injuries and football players have a direct and unfortunate relationship, accounting for the most common injuries in the sport and plaguing athletes at all levels of competition. Most knee injuries occur in the medial collateral ligament (MCL) since it’s the first ligament to be ruptured upon impact, making it a major matter of concern for health-care professionals and those involved in football. Knee bracing is one method that’s been used for MCL and other knee injuries, yet the specific benefits of bracing are yet to be proven. Noting this, a study investigated the use of prophylactic knee braces further and did not find sufficient evidence to recommend them for the prevention of MCL injuries.
Treating ACL tears with physical therapy can eliminate need for surgery
Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) occur often in young athletes who are active in sports, and tend to result in extended absences from performance. Reconstructive surgery is considered the preferred method of treatment for tears, despite the fact that surgery is extremely expensive and there is a lack of evidence confirming its effectiveness, while treatment with rehab alone is rarely seen. To compare the two, a study was conducted and found no significant advantages of going into surgery right away, recommending to begin with rehab and only have surgery in cases where it's unsuccessful.
How hip-strengthening exercises can help reduce knee pain in runners
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is an extremely common issue encountered by runners in that usually occurs when the kneecap (patella) and thighbone (femur) rub against each other, causing pain in and around the kneecap area. The condition tends to only come about while in the course of running, but can intensify to the point where running becomes nearly impossible. One theory suggests that strengthening the hips will alleviate PFP since stronger hips can mean an improvement in running-form flaws that cause the pain in the first place, and a small trial of collegiate female runners provided outcomes that were favorable in supporting this theory.
Chasing the enigma of female ACL injuries and the gender differences that cause them
A research retreat was held in Greensboro, NC, to further examine why females suffer from ACL injuries easier than males. The group came up with three important themes that need to be aggressively pursued in order to better understand the mysterious disparity.
How menstrual cycle phase and anatomy may have an impact on ACL injuries in females
One major consensus emerging in medical literature is the possibility that the menstrual cycle phase of females affects their vulnerability to ACL injuries. According to a number of studies, females are much more likely to experience an ACL injury in the preovulatory phase of their cycle than the postovulatory phase. Female anatomical makeup is also investigated.
An investigation into damaged menisci in the average middle-aged and elderly
Tears to the meniscus, a pair of fibrocartilaginous discs in the knee that provide support and protection, are one of the most common injuries and surgeries to repair this region are recognized as the most common surgery performed by orthopedic surgeons. In addition, many middle aged and elderly persons suffer from damaged menisci without being aware of it. One study investigated the number of people with the injuries and whether MRI usage was effective in diagnosing them.
ACL injuries and skeletally immature patients
One study set out to examine the exact dynamics of ACL injuries for adolescents who have not yet developed joints, ligaments and bones fully. An immature ACL, the study displayed, is at a much high level of vulnerability than that of an adult, and additionally requires more attention to evaluation and treatment of the injury.
Female athletes and ACL injuries: A look at factors that may contribute
On a yearly basis, at least 100,000 people nationwide suffer from an ACL injury, more than half of which require surgery. Some studies show female athletes on a collegiate level to be three times more likely to incur an ACL tear than males, while others report that female high school athletes are five times more likely than males to suffer from a knee injury. With ACL injuries rising in prevalence, it has become common knowledge that they result from an assortment of factors...