Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi - (Page 26)

"The knee is a hinge joint that essentially allows us to move. Without it, we would be immobile," says Kevin J. Coupe, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in sports medicine and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Makes you want to sit down for a minute, doesn't it? Here's how to prevent or treat knee pain and injury, and keep this marvel of design healthy and hinged for years to come. What Lies Beneath Understanding the construction of the knee can be tricky. Most of us are only aware of the visible kneecap, but there's much more to this joint, says Nicholas DiNubile, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and the author of FrameWork for the Knee: A 6-Step Plan for Preventing Injury and Ending Pain. "The main structural elements are bones, tendons and ligaments. Think of those like the walls, floor and roof of your house," he says. Here's how it's laid out: The knee joins the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). The smaller bone (fibula) that runs alongside the tibia and the kneecap (patella) round out the bone structure of the knee. Tendons connect the knee bones to the leg muscles that move the joint, and ligaments join the knee bones and provide stability to the knee. All these elements work together to help you twist, turn, run and jump. CraCks in the Foundation Even the best feats of engineering are susceptible to a few structural weaknesses, and the knee is no exception. The three main structural weaknesses that eventually may call for repair: Overuse and inflammatory injuries. "These are the types of problems we see in runners, gardeners and other people who simply use their knees a lot," Coupe says. "Overuse can result in tendinitis or swollen ligaments, which is painful, but not overly detrimental." 26 Wint er 2 013 Coupe recommends following the RICE steps to ease the pain: rest, ice, compression, elevation. "People are often tempted to put heat on pain, but that could actually make it worse. Ice will reduce the swelling and numb the pain," Coupe says. "And most importantly, rest! Get off your feet for a bit." Arthritis. Most common in older people, arthritis of the knee is a result of damaged cartilage. "The cartilage is there to protect the knee-like a cushiony layer of insulation," DiNubile says. "When it's healthy, the bone can slide across the cushion like ice on ice." But when that cartilage becomes damaged, problems ensue-namely, arthritis. In the early stages, arthritis is treated with nonsurgical methods, like lifestyle changes, medication and supportive devices. If the arthritis progresses, your doctor may recommend a bit of excavating through arthroscopic surgery or a partial or total knee replacement. Ligament tears. If you're a sports fan, you've probably heard the term "torn ACL." It's a common injury in athletes, especially among women. ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament, and actions like twisting your knee with the foot planted, getting hit on the knee and stopping suddenly when running can tear it. The ACL is the best-known ligament, but it isn't alone in being at risk. Your knee is made up of four ligaments, all of which can be torn. Depending on the severity of the tear, surgery may be needed.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi
Contents
Opening Thoughts
The Weight Is Over
For Your Convenience
Got Excuses?
Managing Your Health with a DIY Tool Kit
Is It the Stress Talking?
The Wonderful World of Greens
Knee-to-Know Basics
On the Cover
Run for Your Life
14 Good-for-You Gifts
Special Delivery
Virtual Health
A Special Kind of Care
High Marks
A Dose of Prevention
Catch the Spirit

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2013 - North Mississippi