Common Knee Injuries in Sports and How Physiotherapy Can Treat Them
Knee injuries are one of the most common problems in sports, whether you’re a beginner or a pro. The knee joint is one of the most complex and weight-bearing parts of the body, so it is very easy to hurt. It can be hurt by sudden twists or by too much use. Fortunately, physiotherapy can help with sports injuries by providing effective, non-invasive treatments that speed up healing, make it easier to move, and stop problems from happening in the future.
What are the most common sports injuries to the knee?
Knee injuries can be mild to severe, but here are some of the most common ones that happen to people who are active:
1. Tear of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
An ACL tear can make the knee very unstable, and it often happens during sports that require quick turns or sudden stops, like soccer or basketball. A popping sound at the time of injury, swelling, and trouble bearing weight are all signs.
2. Tear in the meniscus:
This injury damages the cartilage that sits between the thighbone and shinbone. It usually happens when you twist your foot while it’s planted. Athletes often say they have pain, swelling, and trouble moving.
3. Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendinitis)
This injury happens a lot to volleyball and basketball players because they use the patellar tendon too much. People usually feel pain just below the kneecap, and it gets worse when they jump or run.
4. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
ITBS is caused by inflammation of the connective tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh. It is common in runners and cyclists. The pain usually starts on the outside of the knee and gets worse when you do the same thing over and over.
How physiotherapy helps: it works to treat sports injuries.
Physiotherapy for sports injuries focusses on lowering pain, getting you back to your normal range of motion, and making sure you can safely return to sports. This is how physiotherapists treat knee injuries:
Correct Evaluation
A licensed physiotherapist does a thorough evaluation, which includes a physical exam and an analysis of your movements, to find out exactly what the problem is and come up with a treatment plan just for you.
Therapy by Hand
Joint mobilizations and soft tissue massage are two hands-on techniques that can help your knees work better and loosen up the muscles around them.
Rehabilitation through exercise
A personalized exercise plan is put in place to strengthen the muscles around the injury (like the quadriceps and hamstrings), increase flexibility, and improve stability. All of these things are very important for avoiding reinjury.
Ways to Treat Pain and Inflammation
Physiotherapy clinics may also use ultrasound, electrical stimulation, or shockwave therapy to help with inflammation and speed up the healing of tissues.
For more information, check out our post
“Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Sports-Related Injuries”
Advantages of physiotherapy for knee injuries
Pain relief that doesn’t hurt
Better strength and range of motion in joints
A shorter time frame for recovery
Less dependence on drugs
Teaching to stop it from happening again
Physiotherapy helps you in the long run by treating the root cause of your problems, not just the symptoms.
Who It Is For?
Physiotherapy for knee injuries is great for:
Athletes who are getting better after a serious injury like an ACL or meniscus tear
People who work out on the weekends or are really into fitness and get hurt from doing too much
People who are getting ready for or recovering from knee surgery
Anyone who has chronic knee pain from sports or other physical activities
A personalized rehabilitation plan can help you move better and more safely, whether you’re on the pitch, in the gym or just trying to stay active.
Why should you choose us to treat your sports injury in Mississauga?
Achieve Physio & Rehab in Mississauga is where you can get personalized care for sports injuries. We have licensed physiotherapists on staff who use both proven methods and cutting-edge therapeutic techniques to help you get back to your sport stronger than before.
We know that each athlete’s body and goals are different. That’s why we make personalized recovery plans and work with you closely at every stage.
Make an appointment today
Don’t let a hurt knee keep you from playing. Let our skilled staff at Achieve Physio & Rehab help you get better quickly and well. Call us today to make an appointment and get back in the game, pain-free and stronger than ever.