Maybe you are running for a cross country team or are training for one of the fall running races coming up in Louisville, Kentucky. You might just be a casual weekend jogger who likes spending time outside in one of Louisville’s beautiful parks, enjoying the benefits of a three mile run once or twice a week. Whether you are a competitive runner, or someone who avoids the races and prefers running for casual exercise, chances are at one time or another you have experienced a running injury.
Knee Popping During Injury – 5 Possible Causes
I was running when I got injured and heard a knee popping sound. What could it be?
If you heard a knee popping sound during injury, there are a number of things it could be. Five possible causes of knee popping including the following:
1. ACL Tear
The ACL is the major ligament in the knee that provides anterior and rotatory stability to the knee. If at the time of injury a pop is heard, swelling occurs within 12 hours and the athlete is unable to finish playing the game there is an 85% chance that the ACL was torn.
10 Facts About Stress Fractures
1. Most stress fractures occur secondary to overuse. If the person has normal bone strength, a stress fracture will occur from too much use. If a person has weak bones or osteoporosis then a stress fracture can occur from normal use.
Normal Bone = Stress Fractures = Overuse
Osteoporotic Bone/ Osteopenia = Stress Fractures = Normal Use
2. Pain occurs with increasing amounts of activity. Pain is typically minimal when getting out of bed first thing in the morning but then worsens as the day progresses.
3. Stress fractures most commonly occur in the metatarsals of the feet.
Top 10 Ways to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis WITHOUT Surgery
If you or someone you love is suffering from knee osteoarthritis, there are treatment options that do not involve surgery. Read this post to find out more about the top 10 ways to treat knee osteoarthritis without undergoing surgery.
1. Exercises. Engage in activities that are specific for knee arthritis like water aerobics, floor exercises, yoga and weight lifting.
2. Supplements. Consider supplements that include glucosamine with chrondrotin 1500 mg per day. Make sure you are not allergic to shellfish. Check the label some glucosamine has shellfish in the supplement. Fish oil is an Omega 3 and it is good for joint health. It should be taken at least 1000 mg per day.
3. Oral NSAIDs: over the counter vs. prescription. Check with your orthopaedic physician to see if you are a candidate for oral NSAIDs. Over the counter Aspirin or Tylenol (acetaminophen) is also an option.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee – Options for Preventing Knee Replacement Surgery
Are you suffering from Osteoarthritis of the knee? Want to learn more about how to avoid Knee Replacement Surgery? Find out more about Osteoarthritis of the knee and treatment options that do not require surgery. Read more from Dr. Stacie Grossfeld about knee osteoarthritis.
Find Out 10 Things You Should Know About A Rotator Cuff Tear
Are you suffering from a shoulder injury? Do you think you have a rotator cuff tear? If you answered “yes” to either of these questions, check out Dr. Grossfeld’s latest online article detailing 8 Facts About A Massive Rotator Cuff Tear.
Preventing Knee Replacement Surgery (Total Knee Replacement, TKR)
Osteoarthritis of the knee can be a disabling and painfully condition. By definition, osteoarthritis is the loss of the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones within the knee joint. The knee joint is made up of two major bones: the femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone). There should be approximately 5 mm of cartilage covering the ends of the bones within the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones breaks down.
The articular cartilage typically provides a cushion for the knee. When it is lost, a variety of symptoms occur including pain, stiffness, swelling and loss of motion. Additionally, the leg begins to deform in appearance and can become either increasingly bowlegged (varus) or more knocked kneed (valgus). Further, osteophytes also known as bone spurs start to form within the knee joint.
In order to treat osteoarthritis, some people opt for a surgical option like total knee replacement (TKR). In addition, there are also many nonsurgical ways to treat the condition. (more…)
Smoking and Orthopaedics
Did you know that when you smoke that you are inhaling over 60 different carcinogens and 5000 chemical agents? Your lungs are being filled similar chemicals that are found in lighter fluid, batteries, insecticide, and toilet bowl cleaner, rocket fuel, poison, sewer gas, industrial solvents and paint. These chemicals include: butane, cadmium, hexamine, toluene, nicotine, ammonia, methanol, arsenic, methane and nicotine just to name a few.
Cigarette smoking is very detrimental if you have an orthopaedic condition in addition to causing orthopaedic injuries and conditions such as rotator cuff tears, delay in bone healing and post-surgery wound problems, just to name a few.
What is New in Knee Osteoarthritis
Exercises
Three types of exercises that are recommended for patients with knee osteoarthritis: flexibility, resistance and cardiovascular flexibility exercises. All three are very good for easing stiff joints which will help patients with their ADLs. It is recommended that the stretches be done in the morning. It may be easiest to perform them in warm bath water which eases the joint stiffness.
Resistance exercises are important to build the muscles around the arthritic joints. By building muscle it helps to absorb the shock and protect the joint from further injury. There are 2 types of resistance exercises: isometric and isotonic. Isometric are typically the most easy resistance exercise for the OA patient. The strengthening occurs with contraction of the different leg muscles without moving the joint.
Cardiovascular exercise uses big groups of muscles. The best recommendation for cardio fitness in the arthritic knee patient is water aerobics or cycling. The National Arthritis Foundation is a great resource for exercise DVD’s. A referral to the local physical therapist can also be helpful. I find my patients like the personal instruction and the P.T. also helps to maintain their technique.
How Many Pitches Should My Child Throw?
Stacie L. Grossfeld, M.D.
Board Certified Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
4001 Kresge Way Suite 330, Orthopaedic Specialists, PLLC
Last year there were 3.5 million visits to the emergency room for sports related injuries that occurred in children under the age of 14. That is a 5 time increase in the number if sports related injuries compared to the previous 10 years. Why is this occurring? (more…)
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