Knees are among the heaviest worked joints in the body. Knee injuries are prevalent in all demographics. Around 2.5 million sports related knee injuries are reported every year. Stairs contribute to a large number of knee injuries between men and women of all ages. Knee osteoarthritis affects over 30% of adults over 65 in the United States. It is not uncommon to experience or know someone who has experienced knee pain. Work with an experienced doctor such as a doctor for knee pain.
Structure of the Knee
The knee is referred to as a modified hinge joint. It composes the junction between the femur, the large bone in the thigh, and the tibia, one of the bones in the shin. Some of the main components of the knee include:
- Patella. Also known as the “knee cap”. It’s the main bone on the front of the knee and offers an anchor for certain tendons that join the femur and tibia.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). Ligaments help limit the movement of a body part in order to provide stability. The ACL is especially important because it helps to prevent the tibia from sliding too far behind the femur. ACL injuries are common in sports with rapid sudden motions and changes in direction, like soccer or football.
- Medial Meniscus. Menisci provide protection for the ends of the bones and allow for better attachment between the femur and tibia by deepening the tibial sockets. The medial meniscus is shaped like a disc and is located on the top of the tibia.
- Articular Cartilage. Cartilage is an elastic tissue and is present on the bottom of the femur as well as other joints. It serves to provide a smooth surface between the bones to protect them while they are sliding over one another.
Preventing Knee Injury
There are exercises you can conduct at home to help reduce the risk of knee injuries from occurring. A simple activity is to climb stairs. Although stairs can contribute to injury in the case of an accident, they can also be a beneficial tool in strengthening the ligaments and muscle around the knee. Strengthening these components can reduce stress placed on the joint. Not only can climbing stairs strengthen muscles and ligaments, it can also help in weight loss. Less body weight means less force exerted on your knees – which can aid in increasing longevity and overall performance of the joints.
Injured Knees
Unfortunately, knee injury is far from completely avoidable. Although exercise and stair climbing may help in preventing injuries, accidents still occur. Sometimes these accidents occur due to no fault of your own. There are cases of people falling due to large holes in the sidewalk or improperly marked construction zones. Tripping or falling may twist or place impact on the knee and cause damage. If you experienced knee injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. The lawyer may be able to negotiate a settlement or sue the party responsible for your injury as a means of collecting compensation.