Sports Related Injuries

Women Runners And Iron Deficieny

Women Runners And Iron Deficieny

Submitted by: Curt Shryack

Athletic ladies of all ages who suffer from decreased performance may be suffering from iron deficiency. Many women who are watching their weight will eat more salads. Thinking that eating a lot vegetables and less red meat is healthier. This is true, but not including red meat in your diet can cause iron deficiency.

Low iron levels will decrease levels of erythropoieses (the hormone EPO which is responsible for red cell production) which controls hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin is the component of blood that carries oxygen. What does all this mean to women? A noticeable drop in performance will be occurring.

During periods of high training volume, weight loss or menstruation iron deficiency will be more noticeable. Studies show that 50% of women runners are iron deficient. Feeling chilled or cold is a common symptom of low iron levels. This could explain why some women who are always feeling cold.

The recommended daily allowance for iron is 15 milligrams. Your performance will start to decline on the day that the recommended daily allowance is not met. Thankfully one of the solutions is quite simple; eat more iron-rich foods. Two very good sources of iron are red meat and dark poultry. Many women will shy away from red meat and dark poultry due to the fat content. Choosing lean cuts of red meat will meet your daily iron requirements of iron and still maintain a low-fat diet.

For vegetarians, two iron rich sources include lentils and iron-fortified breakfast cereals. Do not drink coffee or tea when eating iron-fortified breakfast cereals. Coffee and tea block the body’s ability to absorb iron. Drinking orange juice which has vitamin C actually helps the body absorb iron. Drinking orange juice with iron rich foods actually helps the body with absorption.

If you have low iron levels now, you can take supplements. Be sure to check with your doctor about recommended dosages. Too much iron can create other problems. Excessive amounts of iron will cause constipation and the body’s ability to absorb zinc. Several studies have shown that no benefit can be found in taking iron supplements. The best way to get enough iron is to consume 2-4oz of red meat a day.

Once your iron levels are back up to normal you will be amazed by the improvements in performance as well as increased energy levels for daily activities.

About the Author: Curt Shryack from Moline IL is the author of Fatigue Nutrition and Endurance Exercise. http://www.fatiguenutrition.com

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Some Wonderful Tips to Avoid Weight Lifting Injuries

Some Wonderful Tips to Avoid Weight Lifting Injuries

Some Wonderful Tips to Avoid Weight Lifting Injuries
By Guy Long

Strength training exercises boost your metabolism, tone muscles, reduce risk of different diseases and help you lose weight. Moreover, these exercises make your muscles strong and increase strength and density of your bones. When strength training exercises are combined with cardio exercises on the regular basis, you can get your dream slim, toned and muscular body in just weeks. However, it is important to realize that when performed improperly, strength training exercises can lead to injuries including sprains, torn muscles and lower back problems. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to avoid injuries and I will discuss them one by one.

First of all, if you are new to the strength training, it is better to hire the services of a professional gym trainer to show you right angles and proper weight lifting techniques. Majority of the injuries in the gym can be avoided with proper guidance and right techniques. Moreover, if you have a previous weight lifting injury, you must inform your gym trainer about it and wait until it is fully healed before starting your strength training routine.

Before staring the regular weight lifting routine, it is very important that you do some warm up exercises to prepare your body for the tougher challenge. Cardio exercises like jogging on a treadmill, rope jumping and riding on a stationary bike make some wonderful exercises to warm your body. Make sure that you perform some light stretches as well.

If you are a beginner, then using dumbbells that are too heavy may lead to injuries. Make sure that you start with light weights and then gradually increase your weights. Furthermore, it is important that you don't train the same muscle two days in a row. Make sure that you give your muscles an adequate time to recover between workouts.

When picking up weights, make sure that you don't put too much strain on your back. In other words, you should not bend at your waist with your knees straight. Moreover, when performing standing exercises, it is important to maintain a slight bend in your knees in order to avoid a lower back injury. If you experience any problem with a particular exercise, then you should immediately inform your gym trainer about it and stop that exercise. It is important to keep in your mind that there might be many alternatives to a particular exercise. Always choose an exercise that matches your fitness level and age.

In order to avoid weight lifting injuries, it is also a good idea to eat foods that are rich in protein. Chicken, eggs, fish, cheese, porridge etc. provide a lot of protein to your body. Protein plays a very important role as it adds muscle mass to your body and strengthens your muscles. Lean and strong muscles mean that there are fewer chances of injuries and sprains. Make sure that you eat protein diets after your weight lifting workouts.

Guy Long runs Weight loss Program in Prahran and is a Fitness Trainer in Elsternwick where he specializes in resistance training, body transformation, weight control, and overall muscular strength for local residents.

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Biggest Threats to Bodybuilders' Health

Biggest Threats to Bodybuilders' Health

Biggest Threats to Bodybuilders' Health
By Dane C. Fletcher

You're a bodybuilder. You're a big dude. You're a strong dude. If you've been training for a few years and have eclipsed 200 pounds on the scale, then you're probably used to feeling like Superman most places you go. Whether it's the supermarket, the bar, the workplace, or anywhere else, you feel invincible carrying around 50 pounds of muscle your peers are not. However, invincible you are NOT. Despite all the chicken breasts and broccoli you consume, despite the way you can crush small pieces of fruit in a single squeeze, you are human just like everyone else. In fact, your bodybuilding lifestyle may be putting you at a GREATER level of risks than is faced by your peers. Read on!

Kidney Damage

The bodybuilding lifestyle can be quite rough upon the organs of your body. If you follow the sport of bodybuilding, then you are probably already aware of the kidney damage that has been sustained by many competitors (particularly in the late 1990s) due to the use of diuretics. However, long term use of ephedrine, stimulants, and of course, long term sustained elevated blood pressure (common in men carrying 200 or more pounds on their frame) can cause kidney damage as well. Work with your doctor to complete a blood panel every 18 to 24 months to ensure all is well on the kidney front!

Heart Disease & Hypertension

If you subscribe to a standard bodybuilding 'bulking diet', then you may be consuming fats and cholesterol at much higher levels than that of your peers. Pay attention to these things. Even if you look incredible, you may not be functioning perfectly on the INSIDE, and that is what matter most.

Damage To Joints & Tendons

This won't kill you, but it can sure make your ride here on earth an unpleasant one! Lifting 1-rep maximums puts an incredible demand upon your joints and tendons, which can lead to situations where you require surgery down the road. Train hard, but don't place undue pressure upon the connective tissue that holds all your muscle together!

Cancer

The use of artificial testosterone can lead to prostate growth. The use of growth hormone can result in existing growths in your body growing much faster than Mother Nature would have ever intended. The chemical side of bodybuilding has exploded in the last 2 decades, but we are still very much unaware of some of the long-term ramifications of using artificial T, GH, IGF-1, insulin, and other drugs. Be careful!

If you want to get in the best shape of your life - you need to check out Primal Muscle. There you will find the hottest training strategies, nutrition tips, diet plans, and even custom workouts... plus you will have access to world-class sports supplements that will help you reach your goals fast... don't delay - visit Primal Muscle today!

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What's Missing From Most People's Exercise Program

What's Missing From Most People's Exercise Program

What's Missing From Most People's Exercise Program
By Will Brink

An Essential Variable People Miss In Their Exercise Programs

I find most people will design a program for themselves and follow it in a linear fashion, that is they run X times per week for Y distance, lift X times per week doing Y number of sets, etc. with little change over time. A result oriented program looks like a wave form where volume and intensity peaks, say over a 6-8 week period (as an example, but programs vary widely), with volume and or loading reduced 40-60% for a week or two, then either repeated, or onto some other program. Some programs will call for taking a week off totally between programs.

Increasing intensity and or volume improves the response up to a point, then falls off sharply as you hit over training syndromes (OTS) and or injuries or both. So, periods of planned increases in volume and or intensity to reach a personal mile stone, followed by a detraining period, is best to optimizing training, reaching new personal bests, and avoiding OTS. The study listed below gives some insight into that also.

A linear program where you do the same thing each week, such as run X miles and lift X weights will be limiting. Athletes left to their own, will generally follow a "more is better" linear approach, where as a good coach will follow the "smart is better" approach, which follows a wave form pattern. Within that wave form pattern may be micro cycles and other stuff too, but that depends on the program.

There have been some interesting studies where they have taken runners and swimmers, cut their volume in half, and their times improved! Why? Because they were over training.

I find that is often the case with strength athletes also.

Author Bio

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See The Number One Science Based Web Site On All Things Health, Bodybuilding, Fitness, Longevity, and Weight loss:

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How to Prevent Neck Injuries During Resistance Training Sessions?

How to Prevent Neck Injuries During Resistance Training Sessions?

How to Prevent Neck Injuries During Resistance Training Sessions?
By Guy Long

Although resistance training offers you with numerous health benefits in the form of fat loss, weight control, body transformation, overall muscular strength and more importantly, an attractive toned body, it can also lead to certain injuries especially neck injuries. Neck injury is considered as one of the most common types of injury that one can experience during strength training. However, with proper guidance and safety precautions, one can easily avoid sprains, torn muscles, neck injuries and even fractures during resistance training.

As far as proper guidance is concerned, it always makes a wise approach to perform resistance training exercises in the supervision of a qualified fitness trainer. A professional gym trainer not only recognizes exercises that may put extra stress on your neck, but also helps you to use proper lifting mechanics. Moreover, he or she guides you on how to perform different resistance training exercises with a perfect technique. Make sure that you strictly follow an exercise routine that your trainer suggests to you and don't choose the exercises on your own during the regular weight training session.

There are numerous safety precautions that one needs to follow during strength training sessions to avoid neck injuries. First and foremost, you need to be very careful when performing the shoulders, arms and upper back workouts as these exercises carry the risk of a neck injury. Shoulder exercises often require the placement of a weight bar across your shoulders. Make sure that the weight bar is evenly distributed across your shoulders and it doesn't rest on your neck. While performing squats, make sure that you don't put weight directly on your neck. Many people mistakenly position the weight bar too high on the shoulders which may pose an increased risk of injury to both lower and upper neck muscles.

In order to avoid neck injuries, it is important that you never over-train your body and you should work within your limits. Moreover, proper stretching is very helpful to prevent injuries to all parts of the body, including your neck. Always warm up your body with push-ups, rope jumping or running on a treadmill before starting a strength training exercise. You can also stretch your neck back and forth for a couple of minutes to increase the circulation of blood and prevent an injury to your neck.

Most importantly, you need to keep your neck immobile while lifting weights. During resistance training exercises, don't look around and always keep your neck muscles relaxed. Moreover, make sure that you neither lock the muscles in your neck nor keep the neck rigid as it can increase the risk of a neck injury. If you feel any sensation or pain in your neck while performing a strength training exercise, stop immediately and contact your gym trainer to discuss your situation.

Guy Long offers Personal Training in Prahran and is a Personal Trainer in St Kilda where he specializes in resistance training, body transformation, weight control, and overall muscular strength for local residents.

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Tips For Preventing Exercise Injuries

Tips For Preventing Exercise Injuries

Submitted by: Kya Grace

Regular and daily exercise can bring about many benefits for your body and fitness. However, excessively intense and strenuous workouts can have a negative impact and cause a number of unnecessary injuries. The point of exercising is to improve your health and not to harm your body. The following tips will help you in preventing any injuries from occurring due to exercise.

Warming up
Warming up before your exercise or daily physical activity is extremely important. Performing a warm up before your exercise greatly reduces the chance of you straining your muscles while working out. As little as five minutes of walking or jogging or some time spent cycling gently is enough for you to loosen your muscles and prepare your body for your workout.

Start gently and slowly
Do not tax your body with workouts or activities that it simply cannot perform. If you are not a regular runner and have not been running for a long time, do not start out with a 10 mile run right from the beginning. Instead begin with something like 5 miles and gradually increase the distance.

Cooling down
As warming up before a workout is important, so too is cooling down after you have performed your exercises. Cooling down allows the lactic acid that is built up in your muscles during exercise to be released. Your cool down can mirror your warm up in the form of a short duration of walking or jogging. Cooling down after exercise helps in preventing soreness in the muscles.

Stretching
Stretching helps in improving the flexibility of your muscles and thus reduces risk of injury. Stretches can be performed either after your warm up or before your cool down and should only be done while your body is warm. Be wary of over stretching your muscles as this could lead to injuries.

Exercise with care
Beware of over exercising and do not exercise on days you are feeling unwell. Stop working out if you feel like collapsing halfway through your exercise. Consult your doctor if you feel any pain or uneasiness while performing your exercise. There is a thin line between pushing yourself and over exertion.

Pains and aches
While it is normal to feel slight soreness after you first begin to exercise, be careful not to ignore any pain that is severe. If you feel that you are sore and are in pain even after two to three days, you should talk with your doctor or physician.

Proper equipment
A great way of avoiding exercise injuries is to make sure that you are using the correct gear. A good pair of running shoes, for example, will provide support to your ankles and feet and also provide you with insulation. Always ensure that you wear a helmet when you are riding your bike out in the open.

Be alert
It is extremely important that you be alert when you are out walking, running, biking or jogging. You never know where there might be an unexpected hole in the road or an obstacle of some other sort. Be especially wary of any moving vehicles on the road. For all these reasons, it is best if you exercise in the morning rather than in the dark.

Exercising and working out should be a fun activity that is designed to help improve your overall health. It need not be a strenuous activity that causes harm to your body. Following the above tips will help in lowering the chances of you developing an injury from your workout and help you to enjoy your workouts more.

About the Author: To book a Personal Trainer Coogee for a free boot camp consultation, visit Boot Camp in Sydney.

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Top Skiing Tips For Beginners

Top Skiing Tips For Beginners

Top Skiing Tips For Beginners
By Liz Olkowicz

Skiing remains one of the most popular winter sports in the world, rivalled only by snowboarding in terms of mass appeal and number of enthusiasts. An increasing number of people take up the sport every year, and chalets in Morzine and other popular ski destinations continue to be in high demand each year.

If you are one of the many people tempted to try the sport, but afraid you will not be able to pick it up as well as everyone else, or if you have skied before but ended up making a fool of yourself in public and are reluctant to repeat the experience, do not despair. This article offers a few valuable tips for first-time and beginner skiers - from broader and more general advice to slightly more specialised hints. Having a quick skim through it before heading off to your holiday in one of the lovely chalets in Morzine will ensure that a minimal amount of people bear witness to you lying on your back at the top of the piste!

Getting ready

The first step to enjoying your ski experience is making sure the sport is a good fit for you. It's no use persevering in something you don't enjoy, is there? As such, most experts recommend that you rent or borrow, rather than buy, your gear, at least for the early stages of your 'career'. Rental places for ski equipment abound in the Alps, and prospective skiers should have no problem acquiring skis, pads, boots and warm clothes somewhere close to their resort.

Specialists also recommend that you make sure your skis are about 20 to 30cm shorter than your own height, as shorter skis are easier to steer, resulting in a lower number of embarrassing pratfalls. The tips of the skis should not cross whilst you are skiing - if this happens, take them back to the rental shop and ask for shorter ones.

As far as boots are concerned, ensure that they are comfortable, yet snug. Your toes should be able to move freely, but your heel should NOT be able to come up, nor should your foot 'slip' around inside the boot once it is done up. Make sure your boots are done up while skiing (you can loosen them for walking to and from the piste), but don't have them clipped too tight around the top of your foot cutting off the blood flow. They should, however, be snugger around the calf muscles. Make sure to take your time getting used to them before strapping on your skis, and then get a feel for your skis before heading to the ski lift. Believe it or not, having massive planks of wood strapped to your feet does affect your balance and motion!

Learning the basics

Once your equipment is all sorted, it's time to learn the basics. A couple of lessons might take care of that, and most resorts renting chalets in Morzine will find a beginner's skiing class for you, or provide one themselves.

Important basics to master include standing up (naturally!), changing direction and braking, all necessary to combat a skier's main foe - gravity. It is also important that you work on your stance, as a proper body position can be the difference between a respectable run and legs-in-the-air embarrassment! One good tip is to look where you want to go - if you look at the floor whilst moving, you are most likely going to end up on it.

Once you become a little more comfortable with the basics, you might want to try working on your parallels. Only then should you venture out into challenges such as mogul fields (bumpy pistes) or powder (deeper snow).

All in all, nobody renting chalets in Morzine should be afraid to join their family members or friends in a run down the slopes. As long as you master the basics and are somewhat competent you should be able to avoid embarrassment and injury.

Liz Olkowicz is the Business Development Manager for Ski and Summer Morzine, a tour operator, based in Surrey, offering tailor-made holidays in chalets in Morzine. Morzine is the perfect location from which to explore the French Alps, so for a great-value Alpine holiday, call us.

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What About Disc Surgery?

What About Disc Surgery?

What About Disc Surgery?
By Dr. Jeffrey Carlson

Have you ever heard a horror story about a back or neck surgery that somehow went terribly wrong, making things worse? Alternatively, do you know someone who has done extremely well after spine surgery, achieving relief of symptoms and a return to enjoyable activities? Disc surgery of the lower back or neck has long been the gold-standard for improving function and pain in those patients with disc herniations. There are, however, good and poor outcomes that may result from any surgery. With this in mind, what can be expected after disc surgery?

As background, the discs in the neck or lower back are the cartilage filled joints that allow our spines to move. As with any other mechanical part, these joints can wear out or rupture, causing pressure on the nerves that are nearby. These "pinched nerves" can generate pain in the arm or leg that can be quite severe. Generally, pinched nerves can be treated with oral or injectable anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, traction and rest.

When the nerve pain is not mitigated using these conservative methods, surgery is considered to provide pain relief. The basic concept of the surgery is to remove the offending piece of disc from pinching the nerve. Only that portion of the disc that is pushing on the nerve is removed and not the whole of the disc. Even with large disc herniations, most surgery only removes 10-20% of the disc. This leaves enough of the disc for the vertebrae to move and prevents them from rubbing on each other.

Over the past 10 years, many improvements have been made to the technology used and the approaches for Spinal Disc Surgery. Surgical incisions are now usually about 1 inch long versus the 3 inch incision of the past. Incisions sites are now injected with a numbing agent after surgery to greatly reduce post-operative pain. The surgery itself takes about 30-45 minutes to perform (previously - 90 minutes) and most patients will wake-up after the surgery without leg or arm pain. The only restriction after surgery is a limitation on lifting for the first 6 weeks of recovery. In our more athletic patients, we allow them to get back to conditioning during the 6 week recovery period. After 6 weeks, there are no restrictions, and patients can return to their normal daily activities as well as their normal athletic activities.

Several studies have evaluated the effects of disc surgery on a patient's ability to return to normal activities. The most recent study involved disc surgery done on NFL professional football lineman in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. As lineman are the largest football players, as well as incurring the most strain on their backs during play, these athletes can be completely incapable of a high level of performance, even with mild back pain. This recent study found, of the 52 players treated with surgery, 81 percent returned to play professional football. Of the 36 starting lineman that had surgery, 33 returned to their starting position on their professional football team. So for those of us who don't stress our backs like professional football players, we should be back to our normal activities very quickly and with high levels of satisfaction about our recovery. There were no complications in any of these patients. The complication rate in disc surgery nationally is less than 1%. Unfortunately, when complications happen, these patients may take 3-6 months to recover.

More than 90% of patients will improve after a disc herniation with medications, injections and physical therapy. However, with progress in surgery and improved recovery, there is no need to live with the pain of a disc herniation. It is important that you consult a highly-qualified, fellowship-trained spine specialist for diagnosis and effective treatment. Leveraging today's technology and the expertise of a skilled Orthopaedist, herniated disc patients are able to return to their life faster than ever before AND with increased function and complete pain relief.

Dr. Jeffrey R. Carlson is an orthopaedic doctor with the Orthopaedic & Spine Center in Newport News, VA, offering services such as Virginia Beach spine surgery and other Virginia Beach orthopedics procedures. The Orthopaedic and Spine Center can be found online at: OSC-Ortho.com.

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DeMystifying PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma

DeMystifying PRP or Platelet Rich Plasma

Submitted by: Dr. Boyd Haynes

Recently, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding the use of PRP to heal injuries that have been resistant to other forms of treatment. So what is PRP?

Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP is the biologic factor that is obtained when human whole blood is spun in a centrifuge and is separated from other liquid blood components. The Plasma has been shown to contain many healing factors that aid the treatment of injuries in humans and animals.

Why is there so much excitement about it?

Studies have shown that a PRP injection can be more successful in treating tendonitis than treatment with cortisone and offers less risk than a surgical procedure. If PRP is not successful, its use does not preclude additional treatments or surgery. Because the factor is made entirely from the patient’s own blood, it is entirely natural and does not cause the numerous side effects of NSAIDs and steroidal medications, whether taken orally or injected. Surgical treatment of tendonitis is not always successful and carries risks as well. FDA approval is pending for treatment of tendonitis, but the FDA has approved PRP for other orthopaedic indications. PRP is done as a single injection which can be repeated in 6 weeks if necessary.

Does insurance cover PRP injections?

Most do not cover PRP injections when used for tendonitis. If your carrier does not, you can self-pay your provider for PRP.

Who can have PRP injections and who cannot?

Any adult patient with a history of tendonitis which has not responded to other treatments, whose symptoms are significant enough that they are considering surgery or repeat steroid injections would be a good candidate.

Patients who would not be good candidates are those taking blood thinners, who cannot stop taking anti-inflammatory medicines, those who cannot follow the prescribed rest and rehabilitation regimen after PRP injection.

How is it done?

Patients are advised to discontinue use of anti-inflammatory medications (Aleve, ibuprofen, aspirin) for one week prior to their injection.

During a visit to the orthopaedist’s office, blood is drawn from the patient’s arm and is then spun in a high-speed centrifuge. After the blood components separate, only the platelet rich plasma is drawn off to be used for the injection into the patient. After numbing the injection site, the injured tendon is injected with the PRP. The patient is monitored for a short time after the injection. This process takes around 1 hour.

Will I have any special precautions to follow after the injection?

Patients are advised to rest, apply ice to the injection site and to take it easy for a few days. Anti-inflammatories continue to be a “no-no” for one week after the injection. Your physician will instruct you according to your own specific needs, but for most patients, sports activity will be limited, physical therapy will be prescribed and patients may be given a sling, a brace or crutches to use. You may be prescribed a medication for pain after the procedure.

Are there any downsides to having PRP?

As with any procedure or treatment, there are risks to be considered. Although minimal, there is a risk for infection at the injection site. There is also no guarantee that a PRP injection will provide relief or a reduction in symptoms. Discuss this and any other treatment option thoroughly with your doctor to make sure it is right for you.

About the Author: Dr. Boyd Haynes III, MD is a doctor at the Orthopaedic and Spine Center, a leading Chesapeake orthopedics center offering services such as Chesapeake knee surgery and Chesapeake outpatient total joint replacement. The Orthopaedic and Spine Center can be found online at: http:///www.osc-ortho.com .

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Chondral (Bone) Defects of the Knee

Chondral (Bone) Defects of the Knee

Chondral (Bone) Defects of the Knee
By Keith A Waldon

Any damage to the cartilage which coats the articulating surfaces of the knee joint is known as a Chondral Defect. Damage can occur over a period of time or with trauma to the joint. It is important that other possible causes of knee pain are ruled out by a qualified professional such as a Sports Therapist or Physiotherapist to ensure the most appropriate treatment is utilised in treating the source of the knee pain.

What is a Chondral Defect?

The articulating surfaces of the knee joint have a hard, shiny coating called the Articular Cartilage. This Articular Cartilage is incredibly durable and prevents much wear and tear of the bones as the surfaces are repeatedly rubbed together during everyday actions such as walking, running, squatting etc. Damage to the articular cartilage is called a Chondral Defect.

What causes these defects?

Damage can occur over time with wear and tear or may be as a result of a sudden trauma. In the case of wear and tear this degeneration is called Osteoarthritis. Painful osteoarthritis develops when this smooth, gliding surface on the end of the bone has lost its coating, deformity develops, and bone rubs on bone. This can result in very painful knees. This kind of damage tends to be more common in later life but, for many reasons may appear in the relatively young.

More often, there is no clear history of a single injury. The patient's condition may, in fact, result from a series of minor injuries that have occurred over time. Contributing factors to this wear and tear could be mal-tracking Patellae; repetitive movements such as in long-distance runners; excessive kneeling; squatting using heavy weights and similar excessive activities.

Sudden trauma is also a common cause of a Chondral Defect especially in certain sports and activities. A chondral injury may occur as a result of a pivot or twist on a bent knee, similar to the motion that can cause a meniscus tear. Damage may also occur as a result of a direct blow to the knee such as in a fall or collision. Chondral injuries may accompany an injury to a ligament, such as the anterior cruciate ligament. Small pieces of the articular cartilage can actually break off and float around in the knee as loose bodies, causing locking, catching, and/or swelling.

What else could it be (Differential diagnosis)?

As previously mentioned, the knee joint is extremely complex and diagnosis of injury is quite difficult. The more common signs of a Chondral Defect are also common signs of a number of other conditions:

 

  • Pain - can be caused by many different factors in the knee, too many to mention here
  • Swelling - again, the result of several knee conditions
  • Locking - usually associated with Meniscal tears but may be the result of a fragment of articular cartilage floating around
  • Aching - may be as a result of a neuromuscular problem

 

Given the caveat above there are many other injuries that could give similar symptoms to a Chondral Defect but working through each possibility is time consuming and often inconclusive. A Graduate Sports Therapist or Physiotherapist with appropriate training may be able to provide a more accurate assessment of other possible injuries however the only way to diagnose a Chondral Defect is by some form of imaging such as an X-Ray, an MRI or ultrasound scan, or by an arthroscopy (Key-hole surgery whereby a mini camera is inserted into the knee joint).

What can be done about bone defects?

This depends on exactly what has caused the Chondral Defect and how severe the defect is.

If there is a large surface area of defect the likelihood is that rest alone may not be enough and surgery is often prescribed. Large, full thickness defects rarely repair spontaneously. There are several methods of surgical repair for large Chondral Defects these include abrasion, drilling, autografts, allografts, and cell transplantation. If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from this injury the consultant will usually discuss the preferred method.

Where the injury is not full thickness or of a small surface area it may be possible to rehabilitate the knee conservatively. In the case of Patello-Femoral type wear re-tracking is required either by eliminating the cause of the mal-tracking (preferable) or by taping the knee in such a way as to prevent mal-tracking whilst undertaking activity. In other cases, and also with Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome, rest from activity may be required until such time as the symptoms resolve.

The Authors View

Obtaining the correct diagnosis is obviously the key to appropriate treatment. The best methods for determining Chondral Defects require imaging or surgery however, as previously mentioned there are many other injuries which produce similar symptoms to Chondral Defects. These other injuries require the expertise of someone with appropriate training, such as a Graduate Sports Therapist or a Physiotherapist with sports injury training, to more accurately ascertain the cause.

I have had over forty years experience in professional sport as a player, coach, teacher, physiotherapist and sports therapist. I have lectured at Portsmouth University on the Treatment of Injury and am very experienced in many aspects of the sporting spectrum. I have owned my own chain of sports injury clinics for several years. It was this experience which prompted me to co-write and produce a degree course in the treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries. The BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy is now available in several universities throughout Britain and I am at the forefront of this initiative. My overriding philosophy is that everyone should be offered the same standard of treatment and rehabilitation as that enjoyed by elite sportsmen and women.

Up and Running (Sports injury Clinics) Ltd, Nuffield Health and Well Being Centre, Alex Way, Northern Parade, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 9PB, UK

Email: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.upandrunning.org

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