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Knee Injuries in the Older Athlete
Knee injury and pain is also quite common in the older athlete. Pain can be due
to
osteoarthritis of the knee joint, arthritis behind the
patella (kneecap),
sprain of the
ligaments on the inner and outer part of the knee (medial and
lateral collateral ligaments), and weakness of ligaments inside the knee
(anterior and
posterior cruciate ligaments).
Generally all that is needed is a good history and physical examination to
determine exactly which component of the knee is injured.
There are specific tests on the knee in order to determine the strength of the
ligaments. These tests are relatively painless and involve pulling the lower leg
forward or backward (anterior or posterior drawer test), pressure on the inner
or outer lower leg to determine weakness of the side ligaments (valgus and varus
stress test), and listening for crepitus in the joints.
Once the diagnosis has been made, generally,
Prolotherapy is indicated because
almost all
knee pain is soft tissue in origin. Prolotherapy can be quite useful
in strengthening the medial and lateral collateral ligaments of the knee. It
will eliminate pain on the inner and outer aspect of the knee. Tightening the
ligaments surrounding the knee, along with injection of a proliferant solution
into the joint of the knee, can frequently help osteo-arthritis pain. Injection
of proliferant into the knee helps to tighten the joint capsule. In addition,
rehabilitation may also be recommended and usually includes exercises to
strengthen the muscle surrounding the knee, flexibility training of the muscles
of the leg and back, and physiotherapies to help tender points in the muscles
(trigger points). As a side note, one of the best exercises that improves
coordination, flexibility, and proprioception, as well as muscle strength, is
jump roping.
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