Sports Medicine Knee Treatment in Kalispell / Whitefish, MT

Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics focusing on athletic injuries, minimally invasive approaches, and accelerated recovery. A number of sports medicine injuries involve damage to the joint's components, including the tendons, ligaments, or protective cartilage, which can become irritated through repetitive actions or strenuous gameplay. Additionally, beyond the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine stresses the doctrine of prevention in athletic activities by employing practices, such as physical therapy and athletic training.

Common Sports Injuries

Regardless of the sport, there are a number of knee injuries that are known to sideline athletes. Ligament and meniscal tears can occur when the athlete pivots or twists the knee while the foot is planted. This is most common in running sports, such as soccer, basketball, and football, which require sharp "cuts" in direction when running. Additionally, trauma to the knee can cause tendon and ligament damage, such as a tackle in football.

Anatomy of the Knee: Where Knee Pain Arises

The knee is a hinge joint formed by the intersection of three bones: the femur, or thighbone, the tibia, or shinbone, and the patella, or kneecap. The femur and tibia meet to form the basis of the knee, with the patella attaching to the front for additional protection and leverage for extension.

Covering the ends of the femur and tibia are pieces of cartilage known as the menisci. These pieces of cartilage, which resemble jelly-like sacs, act as shock absorbers that prevent friction from wearing away at the bones. Excessive use during sports can gradually wear down the cartilage, causing pain whenever motion occurs in the knee.

Four main ligaments attach to the femur and the tibia, which provide additional support and limitations to the knee. Ligaments on the side of the knee, known as the medial collateral ligament and lateral collateral ligament, and help maintain the knee's shape by limiting the amount of abduction and adduction that occurs. Two additional ligaments found behind the patella, known as the anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament, are responsible for limiting the knee's extension of the tibia forward and backward.

Meniscus Tears

Occurring due to excessive or repetitive stress placed on the knee, a torn meniscus can cause significant pain and limited range of motion. A full tear results in a swollen, immobilized joint, while a less significant tear may result in only minor pain and discomfort when the knee is at work. Depending on the severity of the tear, the sports medicine doctor can determine the best means of treatment.

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Tears

Of the four main ligaments found in the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament is the most commonly injured during athletic endeavors. ACL tears typically occur due to quick changes in direction when running, seen in sports like soccer, basketball, and football. Strong forces hitting the knee, such as a tackle in football, can cause the ligament to snap as well.

Symptoms of an ACL tear include:

• Severe pain
• Knee swelling soon after the injury
• A loud "pop" sound at the time of the injury

Treatment for Knee Sports Injuries: Conservative

Many sports injuries, such as minor meniscal tears of the knee, can be treated using noninvasive tactics, such as activity modification, bracing, physical therapy and rehabilitation, or pain-relieving medications, such as ibuprofen and aspirin. When these approaches fail to eliminate the patient's pain, surgery may be recommended.

Knee Arthroscopy for Sports Injuries

While not every patient may be a candidate, arthroscopic surgery can often provide the benefits of minimally invasive surgery for athletic injuries. Because of the demands of professional and recreational sports, arthroscopic surgery is a popular surgical choice, as it typically results in reduced post-operative recovery time, less post-operative pain, less significant scarring, and oftentimes, allows patients to return home the same day of surgery.

Knee Injury Treatment in Kalispell and Whitefish, MT

Employing board-certified orthopedic surgeons, several with subspecialty training in sports medicine, Flathead Orthopedics aims to provide the safest, most effective treatment options for patients through innovative technologies and minimally invasive procedures. Flathead Orthopedics values non-operative treatments that allow the patient to heal comfortably without the need for surgical intervention. To learn more about Flathead Orthopedics’ Sports Medicine specialists, read about the providers or schedule an appointment at their offices, conveniently located in Kalispell and Whitefish, MT.