Sports knee injuries
What they are
Sports knee injuries are quite common and can happen during various physical activities. One common type of knee injury is a ligament tear, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. This often occurs when the knee twists or gets hit from the side.
Another common injury is a meniscus tear, which affects the cartilage in the knee. This can happen due to sudden twisting or a direct blow.
Symptoms of knee injuries include pain, swelling, difficulty walking, and a feeling of instability.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the injury and may include rest, physiotherapy, braces, or surgery. It's important to see a knee specialist for a proper diagnosis and to follow a rehabilitation program to recover strength and stability in the knee.
ACL reconstruction
Unfortunately when the ACL ligament in the middle of the knee tears it is usually doesn't heal and can lead to ongoing knee symptoms like instability. Often ACL reconstruction is the recommended surgical treatment to restore this knee function and get you back to normal activities.
Meniscus tears
The meniscus is one of cartilages in the knee that provides cushioning and stabilisation. It’s also one of the most commonly injured parts of the knee.
Meniscus tears are often caused by twisting/pivoting the knee joint during sport (especially football, netball, basketball, tennis, squash). But you can tear your meniscus without playing sport – it can tear from just getting up too quickly from the squatting position. Tears can also develop gradually as you age – these are called degenerative tears.
Meniscus tears may be treated without surgery, by repairing the tears or removing the tear depending on the circumstance.