Still Winter Temperatures
Welcome to the Spring edition of Refreshing Rehab, although the weather still doesn’t seem to know it should be changing! New prices have now come into effect, so its a great time to take advantage of my BUY 3 AND GET A 4TH FREE package! If you regularly visit, its a great way to save money and reduce your costs too. (terms and conditions apply)
Knee Pain
Knee pain can present itself in a number of ways and places. This article outlines problems that may be encountered with anterior knee pain (AKP), or the front of the knee and how to aid any discomfort.
As one of the most common clinically reported problem, it is important to establish what the problem is carefully. It may present as inflammation, instability, pain or imbalance of muscles, but may be a combination of a few as well. Identifying when it causes a disturbance is a good indication too, for example when walking, running or going up or down stairs to name a few.
These signs may help to outline AKP and what problem is presenting. A few more common problems are iliotibial band friction syndrome, patellofemoral joint pain, patella tendinopathy, fat pad syndrome and traction apophysitis (eg, Osgood Schlatter disease).
With all these problems there is one common factor and its the overuse of a structure in the mechanics of the knee. The overuse may be due to biomechanical abnormalities, shortened soft tissues, muscle imbalances or deficits or training/environmental triggers¹.
To aid the pain encountered methods such as taping,joint mobilisation, muscle strengthening, stretching regimes or proprioception exercises may be suggested by a healthcare professional to assist in the repair and recovery of the injured structure.
Screening Individuals
Screening is a process that is taken prior to exercise programmes to indicate if there are underlying problems in an individual, and so to address any problems they may cause as well.
Simple tests are ones such as your eye screening test, thus showing if you may need glasses to see better. There are the equivalent tests for all aspects of the body to diagnose if there is, or may be, potential future risks that can be prevented.
It is a vital part prior to starting a program as recent research has shown that even in elite athletes, underlying problems are present far more then expected². The number for everyday individuals taking part in regular exercise is likely to be high. Linking screening to my previous article on knee pain could also help prevent some of the conditions mentioned and also could delay the risk of osteoarthrytis³.
Quick Facts
1. “A human skull contains 22 bones, 8 of which for the cranium.”
2. “Ligament, tendons, fasciae and retinacula are all forms of connective tissue. They are all formed of the same materials (collagen, elastin and ground substance), just in varying quantities.”
References
1. Herrington, L., Knees Up, In International Therapist, Issue 103, 2013, pp.14-18.
2. Turnel, J., Poirer, P, et al., (1982), Physician and Sportsmedicine, Cardiorespiratory Screening in Elite Endurance Sports Athletes, Vol 40 (3).
3. Lack, S., (2013) Are The Biomechanics of Your Foot and Hip Affecting You Knee Joint?, SportEx Medicine, Issue 55 (Jan), pp. 11-13.
4. Biel, A., Trail Guide to The Body,3rd Edition, 2005, Books of Discovery, Winnipeg.