Chiropractic Continuing Education: Minimizing Knee Surgery Risks in Athletes Posted on Oct 13, 2023

Chiropractic Continuing Education | Knee injuries in athletes are a common concern in chiropractic and physical therapy practices. Athletes at all levels face the potential for injury, making it crucial to understand how healthcare professionals can help them avoid knee surgery.

image of female knee injury on our chiropractic continuing education pageCCEDseminars | Your Supremo Destination For Chiropractic Continuing Education!Avoiding Knee Surgery: Understanding Risk Factors

Injury risks can be categorized as intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors include equipment, playing surfaces, and weather conditions, over which healthcare practitioners have limited control. However, understanding these factors is essential for assessing injury risks and guiding treatment recommendations. Chiropractic continuing education courses such as "Sports Injuries 203" are integral to this process!

For example, knowledge of injury risks associated with specific playing surfaces, like turf versus natural grass, can help assess an athlete's potential risk. It's also important to consider how overuse injuries might relate to the playing surface. For instance, competitive gymnasts may be at risk if they spend time tumbling on a "dead floor" or if track athletes train more on less forgiving surfaces. Here is another awesome chiropractic continuing education resource: Sports Injuries 204

Intrinsic factors are inherent to the athlete and can be modifiable or non-modifiable. Modifiable factors include skill level, fitness, and body composition, while non-modifiable factors include anatomical characteristics. Understanding these factors is crucial for guiding treatment and rehabilitation.

Gender and Risk Factors

Gender differences are well-researched inherent risk factors for knee injuries, particularly in female athletes. Two main factors have been identified as contributors to knee injuries in females:

  1. Q-angle: Females typically have a greater Q-angle, which is the relationship between pelvis width and specific knee points. This greater angle contributes to a higher risk of knee injury.
  2. Quadriceps-Hamstrings Strength Ratio: Females tend to have a lower ratio of strength between the quadriceps and hamstrings, increasing the risk of injuries like ACL tears.

Assessment and Treatment for Athletes

Functional assessment of athletes is critical for identifying and addressing modifiable risk factors. Various methods and protocols can screen movement patterns and detect potential issues. These screenings provide clinicians with valuable information for pinpointing and addressing faulty motor patterns. Here is, yet, another chiropractic continuing education resource: Sports Injuries 236

In a team setting, these movement screens can be performed before a competitive season to identify systemic issues that can be addressed through strength and conditioning programs. In individual cases, watching video recordings of athletes can guide assessments and treatment.

Considering the Whole Body

Assessment and treatment should encompass the entire body. Knee injuries are often symptoms of dysfunction elsewhere. The body seeks stability over mobility, and when one joint lacks mobility, it's compensated for at the expense of another joint.

For athletes, mobility exercises are essential to move joints through their full range of motion. Additionally, balancing strength across muscle groups and stability training are key to preventing knee injuries. Core strength, hip stability, and balance training can address issues related to poor cutting, planting, or landing mechanics.

Preventing Surgery and Injury

Preventing knee surgery and severe injury involves knowing when to temporarily remove an athlete from sports and when to allow them to return after an injury. Resting an injury doesn't mean stopping movement. Overuse injuries respond well to breaks from sports, passive therapy, and targeted rehabilitation focusing on mobility, strength, and balance.

While avoiding surgery is the ultimate goal, healthcare providers should recognize when treatment isn't progressing and make appropriate referrals. The athlete's well-being remains a top priority, and collaboration within a care network can help ensure the best possible outcome. Click HERE to get started on your chiropractic continuing education journey with CCEDseminars!


Resource:

https://acbsp.com/

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