What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee: Symptoms and Non-Surgical Alternatives

As an insidious condition that does a great job of sneaking up on people over the course of time, osteoarthritis is a common ailment suffered by thousands of people across Canada. The knee seems particularly prone to developing it.  Known as osteoarthritis of the knee, it’s the most common type of osteoarthritis.  Although it is more common in people over 40, it strikes all age groups. While athletes are common sufferers of osteoarthritis of the knee, they are, by no means, the only sufferers.

 

What is osteoarthritis of the knee? Osteoarthritis of the knee refers to the degeneration of the actual knee joint. More specifically, this means that the hyaline cartilage covering the articulating surfaces of the bones in the knee joint have deteriorated.

What causes osteoarthritis of the knee? Typically attributed to wear and tear, there are actually many different contributing factors leading to osteoarthritis of the knee, which whether hereditary, or resulting from trauma suffered to the knee, can include:

-          Trauma to knee joint, including tearing of the meniscus

-          Recurrent patellar dislocation or patella fracture

-          Fractures of the knee or knee dislocation

-          Ligamentous instability, such as an ACL injury

-          Various genetic factors, including the presence of arthritis in family medical history

Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee vary.  Should you feel pain or stiffness, loss of full range of motion, muscle weakness, or baker’s cysts – either jointly, or individually – you may, in fact, have osteoarthritis of the knee.

Osteoarthritis of the knee can leave a person feeling surgery is a necessary and sole option. But not necessarily. Several different treatments are available to osteoarthritis of the knee patients.  Although surgery may be necessary in some cases, various non-surgical treatments can help restore knee tissue and decrease or eliminate the pain osteoarthritis of the knee is known for. These treatments may include:

-         Physiotherapy – Strength training and physical exercise to rebuild muscle can work to decrease pain.

-         Viscosupplementation – This process involves the injection of hyaluronic acid into the knee joint.  As a naturally occurring protein in the body, hyaluronic acid lubricates the joint and increases fluid viscosity.

-        The use of a custom knee brace – Custom fitted, this knee brace works to stabilize and decrease wear and tear on knee and knee joints, making everyday tasks, such as walking or running, much more comfortable – which is liberating for osteoarthritis sufferers!

Used separately or as part of a combined treatment plan, these alternatives to surgery can help you return to your regular level of physical activity without the consistent pain or instability osteoarthritis of the knee is so famous for. These alternative treatments also mean a far less sedentary recovery period, meaning you are able to recover while still enjoying life without having to take time off work or to completely eliminate physical activity from your regular routine.

Osteoarthritis of the knee can be a very painful, debilitating disease that can greatly impact your ability to complete daily tasks or enjoy your favourite activities and participate in sports. Although surgery remains a viable option to help relieve the pain of osteoarthritis of the knee, it is important to remember that it is not your sole option!

To find out more about osteoarthritis of the knee and what non-surgical options are available to treat it, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling (416) 800-0800, or visit www.aesm.ca

An ACL Tear: Options for ACL Repair and Rehabilitation

Ouch!

It’s the injury all athletes dread: a literal and figurative pain in the knee! An ACL tear comes with competing and with sports involving sudden motion and twists from various different sports related factors, including rapid change of direction, sudden stopping, an incorrect landing from a jump, or direct contact like being slammed by a large linebacker in a spectacular football tackle. As one of the most common forms of knee pain and injury, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is dogged.  An ACL tear is an injury no one wants.

Many of the highly in-demand major-league team sports (football, soccer or basketball) seem synonymous with ACL tears. Athletes involved in these are the ones most likely to experience ACL injuries, and thus require ACL repair and rehabilitation. What’s less common knowledge is that women are more likely than men to experience an ACL tear.

If you’ve been fortunate enough to avoid one to date, you may wonder exactly what an ACL tear is and what impact it can have on you.  An ACL tear occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament -- which is found inside the knee joint and controls the back and forth motion of the knee -- is stretched too far, resulting in the ligament partially or fully tearing.

The most common symptom of an ACL tear includes pain and swelling at the knee, which may go away if untreated. The problem is however, that avoidance of treatment can promote further injury, which is why merely ignoring it and returning to sports after the swelling has gone away is a very bad idea!! Pain or discomfort when walking, as well as a loss of your full range of motion or joint tenderness are also common symptoms that may indicate an ACL tear. These are also good signals that attention is needed!

An ACL tear is graded on a scale from one to three, “one” meaning the ligament has been stretched slightly, and “three” meaning a full tear. This grading system helps to determine what type of ACL repair is necessary and to then navigate the best approach to rehabilitation. 

Does an ACL tear require surgery? Not necessarily. The nature of ACL repair and rehabilitation depends on a variety of factors, including the grade of the injury, age of the patient, or their activity level. For example, a child with a partial ACL tear may require non-surgical treatment that allows them to regain the use of their knee to its pre-injury state.  Non-surgical ACL repair and rehabilitation methods include progressive physical therapy, rehab, and/or the continued use of a knee brace.  

Surgical ACL repair is necessary for some people, like the active adult who suffers from a full tear.  In this case surgical ACL repair is needed in order to rebuild the knee and to avoid any future injuries that may result from leaving the ACL tear untreated.

A professionally trained sports medicine or ACL injury specialist is equipped to charter the best course for repairing an ACL tear. An ACL specialist can perform rehab and therapy when a non-surgical treatment is chosen and also offer post-operative ACL repair rehabilitation to promote full recovery. Whether you choose surgical or non-surgical ACL repair, it’s the ACL injury specialist who offers a program customized to fit your unique needs.

Don’t suffer with ACL tear pain and inconvenience! To find out more about our surgical and non-surgical ACL tear repair and rehabilitation, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling (416) 800-0800, or visit www.aesm.ca

Want to Swing Safely and Prevent Common Golf Injuries? Start with our Golf Injury Prevention Techniques!

Many people incorrectly assume that golf is a low-level physical activity, and that, therefore golf injuries are uncommon. Anything but! Whether you are an avid golfer who spends every possible minute on the course, or you only pick up the clubs a few times a year, it’s important to remember that golf injuries are common no matter your level of play.  A golf injury prevention program allows you to get the most out of every day you spend on the fairway, while at the same time keeps you in tip top shape – a considerable side-bonus! 

Golf injuries are incredibly common among all ages and skill levels, most often occurring courtesy of improper swing or grip techniques, or stemming from repetitive bad habits when swinging.  Improper stance, swing or grip; stiffness and inflexibility can all lead to injuries in the arms, wrists, hands, hip, back or shoulders. The repetitive motion of the swing is unavoidable in golf.  In fact, people are often encouraged to remember their best swing technique and repeat it.  But improper technique can be very hard on the muscles and joints. Visits to a golf injury prevention clinic where a conditioning program is designed for you not only helps to correct your stance and improve your swing, but can also treat any ongoing golf injuries. 

As with any type of sport, one of the best ways to prevent golf injuries is to stretch. This may seem like a simple enough solution, but it’s one many people ignore despite the common knowledge that not stretching introduces risk of injury.  Similarly, improper stretching is a waste of time. Proper stretching techniques, designed for your needs is part of a golf injury prevention program that can fit like the very golf glove you wouldn’t do without, and help you avoid golf injuries from the outset. Making sure that your whole body is prepared for the game will allow you to stay on the course longer, and help you avoid pain once you’re back in the clubhouse.

Better yet – and this is the part most golfers love to hear - a golf injury prevention program doesn’t just help you avoid golf injuries it also helps you improve your game! No matter your skill level, a golf injury prevention program can be customized to meet both your current needs and your future goals. Like technique and training, equipment also plays an essential role in preventing golf injuries and improving your golf game. A golf injury prevention program educates you for better club selection, ensuring that you choose and use the best equipment.  Clubs that are too short, or grips that are too small, can lead to golf injuries that can inhibit your ability to play and enjoy the game.

Many golf injuries occur as a result of a combination of things, including poor technique, insufficient physical conditioning and improper equipment. Taking advantage of a golf injury prevention program helps prevent injuries that can negatively impact your ability to enjoy a day on the course.  

For details on our golf injury prevention program, or how to treat ongoing golf injuries, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling (416) 800-0800, or visit www.aesm.ca

Need to Treat Your Running Injury? A Running Injury Clinic Can Offer Relief and Treatment With Specialized Care!

Running is a favourite activity for many who enjoy the clarity of mind, freedom and health benefits it offers. Whether you run daily to keep fit, wear off calories from delicious food you just can’t give up, or are a dedicated life-long marathon runner, you know that staying in shape is important if you want to reach your running goals. However, most runners are also keenly aware that running injuries can disrupt one’s ability to strive for peak performance, and even inhibit their ability to perform at all.

Running is rife with a host of possible injuries, many of which can happen inadvertently. Sprains, torn ligaments, Achilles tendon problems, ankle instability, knee and joint pain, or plantar fasciitis are all common injuries experienced by runners. A running injury clinic can not only help you prevent injuries like these, but also help treat your running injury once it has been sustained.

A running injury clinic is equipped to provide you with a number of important services, the first of which is an assessment.  This includes a running shoe analysis, a treadmill running assessment, and a computerized gait analysis. Results from these tests are tools used to develop a customized plan to help treat your running injury and get you back on track – literally!

A recent study by the University of Calgary has found that proper strength training is crucial for rehabilitating running injuries as well as preventing them.  A running injury clinic will work you through strength training exercises to help you soothe and treat your running injury. By teaching you how to correctly complete a customized exercise regimen that will benefit you the most, a running injury clinic prepares you for the future and lays the groundwork for injury-free peak physical conditioning.

What also happens during this process – and this is not unimportant – is the opportunity to address the current issues, habits of strain or neglect and other problems that stem from your running injury.  This component of treatment is invaluable since it focuses you on changing the very things that can cause a running injury in the first place. This long term benefit of treating your running injury at a running injury clinic can revolutionize your performance and longevity in the sport. All too often, runners will run through the initial pain, hoping that it will go away. And, all too often this initial pain is the sign of something that could become serious, and frequently does. It is critical, in order to keep you at the top of your game, to not ignore the early signs of a running injury, but to seek the professional care and guidance of a running injury clinic.

If you have suffered a running injury, there are several options that may be available to you. A running injury clinic will detail what these options are and help you treat your running injury. Working with a medical professional specifically trained in sports medicine not only reduces pain and limitations caused by an existing injury but also offers you a better understanding of your current habits and how to create an injury-free running regimen in the future – many times with the help of  proper equipment and strength training.  It’s a win-win formula: treat your running injury - and prevent future injuries.

To find out more about our running injury clinic, or how to treat your running injury, contact Athletic Edge Sports Medicine by calling (416) 800-0800, or visit www.aesm.ca