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As COVID-19 continues to rise, many high schools and colleges have yet again put their sports seasons on pause until further notice. Consequently, young athletes are stuck wondering whether or not they should continue training for a season that may not occur. The answer is absolutely yes! Adolescents should continue to stay in game-ready shape, just like the pros do, to prevent trouble, especially common knee injuries down the road – specifically, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tears.
ACL injuries are an epidemic and can affect anyone, but young female athletes, for a variety of reasons, are far more susceptible. The ACL is a ligament located in the center of the knee, which stabilizes the joint when moving in a front-to-back or rotational motion. ACL tears can occur through any form of play, high-impact or not. They can occur from contact or collision, but more often happen in non-contact situations, landing from a jump, or a sudden deceleration and/or change in direction while running. When this injury occurs, the athlete feels a popping sensation within the knee, and the feeling that the knee shifted, or “went out.” Once injured, the adolescent will often notice swelling of the knee and the inability to bear weight on it.
Many ACL tears are preventable. During both the off-season and in-season, athletes should perform strength and stretching exercises to maintain balance and coordination. For young athletes who need to make sudden changes in movement, like soccer and basketball players, it’s recommended that they perform exercises such as cutting and jumping drills to improve their agility and “landing gear.” Additionally, strengthening the lower body and core will reduce the risk of tearing the ACL.
A meniscus tear is another common debilitating injury that many young athletes endure. Each knee has two menisci (medial and lateral). The meniscus is a C-shaped, rubbery shock-absorbing piece of cartilage within the knee that also helps with stabilization. Similar to an ACL injury, a tear can occur in the meniscus when the knee is suddenly twisted while the foot is firmly grounded, or during a collision with another athlete.
The best way for athletes to prevent a meniscus tear is by creating a conditioning program that improves the muscles surrounding the knee. To strengthen the leg muscles, an athlete should routinely perform exercises that target the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips, and thigh abductors and adductors. Core strengthening is also essential.
If an athlete sustains an ACL or meniscus tear, surgery is usually required. Premier Orthopedics is here for them and offers the latest in outpatient minimally invasive high-tech arthroscopic procedures to restore knee function. With ACL reconstructions, a new ligament is weaved into the knee to restore knee stability. With meniscus tears, the meniscus can often be repaired and saved, although sometimes, partial removal is required. Physical therapy is started almost immediately.
Although modern surgical techniques can get the far majority of athletes back on to the field or court, enjoying the sports they love, the better option is always preventing injury in the first place! And that is why year-round targeted exercise and preventive conditioning is so very important for all athletes – to reduce the risk of enduring an encumbering knee injury. One that could affect not only their athletic journey, but also their life. Preventive programs not only reduce the incidence of a wide variety of sports injuries, but they also produce better athletes. And that’s a victory for all!
Nicholas DiNubile, M.D. is a best-selling author and orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee disorders. He and his colleagues, Gene Elia, M.D., Joseph Stellabotte, M.D. and Jack Kazanjian, D.O., offer the latest therapies and procedures to treat conditions of the knee, hip and shoulder. Most insurances are accepted and appointments are available within 24 hours in their office at 510 Darby Road in Havertown. Call 610-789-0150 or make an appointment online.
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