Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

If you tear your ACL you may feel or hear a pop in your knee and have intense pain and immediate swelling. When you try to stand and put weight on your injured leg, your knee may "buckle" or at least feel as if it might give way. In most cases, you'll have to stop all activity, either because the pain is too severe or because your knee isn't stable enough to support your weight.

ACL Tear *

Your ACL ligament is located inside your knee and crosses the PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) as they stretch diagonally from the bottom of your thighbone to the top of your shinbone (tibia). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects near the front of your shinbone.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Treatment

An ACL injury should be treated with a splint, ice and elevation of the joint (above the level of the heart). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) will reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. The patient should not continue to play until evaluation and treatment has taken place. Some people may need crutches to walk until the swelling and pain has improved.

ACL Reconstruction may be required in some cases where instability continues. Quadriceps strengthening will be prescribed to you by your clinician as part of your rehabilitation program. Pre and post surgery strengthening is essential in ensuring effective rehabilitation and KNEEHAB XPwill provide you with a clinically proven home based therapy to help regain your leg strength and joint movement thereby speeding recovery following surgery.

*www.nlm.nih.gov

The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Pain is often a constant and daily feature of the disease. The pain may be localised to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscles strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. The most important factor in treatment is to understand the disorder and find ways to overcome the obstacles which prevent physical exercise.

The pain often comes from the tissue that surrounds the joints such as the knees. In other cases, the pain comes from inflammation of the tendons and ligaments. The pain also comes from fatigue and muscle strain. Some people could suffer pain from one of these sources, yet others could suffer pain from all of the sources. The intensity of the pain depends on the sources of the pain.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions involving damage to the joints of the body. There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. The most common form, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) is a result of trauma to the joint, infection of the joint, or age. Other arthritis forms are rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and autoimmune diseases in which the body attacks itself. Septic arthritis is caused by joint infection. The major complaint by individuals who have arthritis is pain. Pain is often a constant and daily feature of the disease. The pain may be localized to the back, neck, hip, knee or feet. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease, daily wear and tear of joint, muscles strains caused by forceful movements against stiff, painful joints and fatigue. The most important factor in treatment is to understand the disorder and find ways to overcome the obstacles which prevent physical exercise.

Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage of the interior of a joint is performed using an arthroscope, a type of endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision. Arthroscopic procedures can be performed either to evaluate or to treat many orthopaedic conditions including torn floating cartilage, torn surface cartilage, ACL reconstruction, and trimming damaged cartilage.

Why the Procedure is Performed

Arthroscopy may be recommended for these knee problems:

• A torn meniscus. Meniscus is cartilage that cushions the space between the bones in the knee. Surgery is done to repair or remove it.
• A torn or damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
• Inflamed or damaged lining of the joint. This lining is called the synovium.
• Misalignment of the kneecap (patella). Misalignment puts the kneecap out of position.
• Small pieces of broken cartilage in the knee joint
• Removal of Baker's cyst-- a swelling behind the knee that is filled with fluid. Sometimes this occurs when there is inflammation (soreness and pain) from other causes, like arthritis.
• Some fractures of the bones of the knee*

*http://www.nlm.nih.gov/

Cartilage Damage

The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilage that curves within your knee joint. Meniscus injuries involve tears in the cartilage, which can occur in various places and configurations. Usually you'll have pain and mild to moderate swelling that develops over 24 to 48 hours.

Occasionally, a lengthwise tear flips into the knee joint instead of staying around the joint's edge. A flap of the torn cartilage can interfere with your knee movement and cause your knee joint to lock. Meniscal injuries that cause locking of your knee should be surgically treated. Meniscal tears that don't cause locking, including those of a degenerative nature, can usually be managed nonsurgically.

Conservative Cartilage Damage Treatment *

This will involve the application of R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) to your injured knee to provide appropriate relief. Once pain has subsided, exercises are required to increase your range of movement, balance and to maintain quadriceps strength. Gently exercise to maintain quadriceps strength. KNEEHAB XP is designed specifically for this purpose and when combined with physical therapy exercises this will optimise your rehabilitation, restoring your strength and joint movement with maximum control.

Surgical Intervention

In the event of more severe meniscal tears arthroscopic surgical procedures may be necessary to repair the lesion. The aim of surgery is to preserve as much of the meniscus cartilage as possible. The procedure itself will normally involve stitching of the torn cartilage. Following surgery a rehabilitative exercise program will be outlined for the patient, which may include strengthening and balance training. Full co-operation with the rehabilitative technique will be necessary to maximise recovery.

www.sportsinjuryclinic.net

Chondromalacia patella is abnormal softening of the cartilage of the under the kneecap (patella). Chondromalacia patella is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. Chondromalacia patella results from degeneration of cartilage due to poor alignment of the kneecap as it slides over the lower end of the thigh bone (femur).

Dislocated Kneecap (Patellar Subluxation)

This occurs when the triangular bone that covers the front of your knee (patella) slips out of place, usually to the outside of your knee. You'll be able to see the dislocation, and your kneecap is likely to move excessively from side to side. You're also likely to have intense pain and swelling in the affected area and difficulty walking or straightening your knee. Once you've had a dislocated kneecap, you're at increased risk of having it happen again.

Although you may not experience as much swelling or discomfort with subsequent episodes, repeated dislocations can lead to chronic knee pain. Good rehabilitation, with a focus on strength training of the muscles that control your kneecap, can help prevent dislocation.

Patellar Subluxation Treatment

Treatment of patellar subluxation includes: Physiotherapy required to strengthen the VMO (part of the quadriceps muscle) to realign the pull on the kneecap. KNEEHAB XP is designed specifically for this purpose as channel 1 on the unit contracts this muscle approx 1 second before channel 2 contracts the rest of the quadriceps muscle. This stabilises the kneecap and helps it to track correctly over time.

Bracing and Taping can provide symptomatic relief, but is not a long-term solution. Better Footwear contributes to the gait cycle. Motion control running shoes may help control your gait while running and decrease the pressure on the kneecap.

Following injury or trauma muscles can become inhibited and weaken. Reactivating these muscles can be challenging and often needs focused re-education to achieve.

Degenerative changes in the spine cause the loss of normal structure and/or function. Repeated strains, sprains, and overuse of the back cause a gradual degeneration of the discs of the spine. Most people experience some disc degeneration after age 40. A comprehensive back programme, combining physiotherapy, activity modification, pain management, and appropriate surgery when indicated, provides each individual with his or her best chance of recovery.

General Knee weakness and incapacity are symptoms of many knee injuries and are a key focus during the rehabilitation stage. Knee pain is very common complaint among elderly people. During the process of aging, joints and muscles become weak. Sometimes, excessive use or wear and tear of the knee joint or any injury to the joint or muscles can lead to weak knees. As knee joint bears the load of your body, proper care of the joint and muscles should be taken.

The severe pain in the knees may hinder your movements. Restricted leg movement can make you avoid most of the daily activities and this can influence your work performance. If you love sports, then you should take utmost care of your knees. Let us first have a look at the weak knee symptoms.

Weak Knee Symptoms

• Swelling and grinding
• Pain in the knee
• Burning or crunching sensation
• Limited motion
• Difficulty to use stairs
• Inflammation
• Stiffness
• Hard bumps
• Deformation of knees and legs
• Popping sound from the knees
• Pain while bending or straightening of the knees
• Limping, difficulty in walking
• Joint locking
• Signs of an infection, including fever, redness, warmth

Weak Knees Causes

• Arthritis is the main cause of weak knees. It is a chronic and inflammatory disease of the joints, affecting the discs and the bones.
• Any type of strain or sprain can lead to pain in knees, resulting in weak knees.
• Torn ligament or torn cartilage in knee can make your knees weak.
• Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis may lead to the formation of baker's cyst behind knee, making your knees weak.
• Tendonitis or bursitis can result in weak knees.
• Physical trauma or injury or dislocated knee cap are very common causes for weak knees.
• Connective tissue disorders like lupus may lead to restricted movement of knees.
• Iliotibial band syndrome is a condition which can lead to weak knees.
• Any kind of infection of the knee joint can make the knees weak.
• Bone tumours and Osgood-Schlatter condition leads to weak knees.
• Injuries to or weakness in the adjoining structures like thighs, legs, hips can increase the pressure on knees and thus can cause weak knees.
• Hip, leg or knee surgery can lead to weak knees.
• Fatigue due to any kind of disease like flu, typhoid, diarrhea, cancer, etc. can lead to weak knees.
• Sedentary lifestyle, lack of sufficient physical activity can lead to weak knees.

http://www.buzzle.com/

Musculoskeletal pain is pain that affects the muscles, ligaments and tendons, along with the bones. The causes of musculoskeletal pain are varied. Muscle tissue can be damaged with the wear and tear of daily activities. Trauma to an area (jerking movements, auto accidents, falls, fractures, sprains, dislocations, and direct blows to the muscle) also can cause musculoskeletal pain. Other causes of pain include postural strain, repetitive movements, overuse, and prolonged immobilization. Changes in posture or poor body mechanics may bring about spinal alignment problems and muscle shortening, therefore causing other muscles to be misused and become painful.

Hip Replacement Surgery

Hip replacement is used in people with hip injuries, rheumatoid arthritis and other medical conditions, such as a bone tumour or bone loss due to insufficient blood supply (avascular necrosis). Hip replacement is usually considered once other therapies, such as pain medications, have failed. Hip replacement is considered if you suffer from:

• Pain that keeps you awake at night
• Little or no relief from pain medications
• Difficulty walking up or down stairs
• Trouble standing from a seated position
• Having to stop activities you enjoy, such as walking, because you're in too much pain

How to Prepare for Hip Replacement Surgery

The orthopaedic surgeon will ask about your medical history to make sure you're healthy enough to undergo surgery. The surgeon will physically examine your hip, paying attention to the range of motion in your joint and the strength of the muscles around your hip.

Rehabilitation Post Surgery

Activity and exercise must be a regular part of your day to regain the use of your joint and muscles. Your physiotherapist will recommend strengthening and mobility exercise and Kneehab XP can form an integrated part of your rehabilitation.

Increasing your knee's range of motion is an important part of recovering from an injury or surgery.   Range of motion refers to the distance from flexion (bent knee) to extension (straight leg).  Attempting to increase this distance is important.

Joint Stability is the ability of a joint to withstand mechanical shocks and movements without being dislocated or otherwise injured. Stability depends on a number of factors, including the strength of the ligaments that bind the bones together, and the strength of muscles associated with the joint. Excessive flexibility training, especially without appropriate strength training, may reduce stability making an individual more prone to dislocations.

 http://www.answers.com

A knee contusion is an injury that results in bruising, swelling, and tenderness on or below the kneecap. Most contusions are relatively minor surface injuries, simply causing skin bruises due to broken blood vessels very near the surface of the knee. Symptoms of a mild knee contusion tend to go away within a week or two with simple home care. Intense pain and bruising may be indicative of a more severe muscle or bone contusion that should be evaluated by a physician. Depending on the seriousness of an injury, a person may have difficulty using his or her leg for several weeks or months.

People with Osteoarthritis in a major joint, such as the knee, often experience some degree of instability. For example, when walking, the knee may buckle or give way. Such joint instability can cause pain and discomfort. Even worse, it can increase the rate that cartilage breaks down in the affected joint.

Collateral & Medial Ligament Damage

A tear in one of these ligaments is usually the result of a fall or contact trauma. It is likely to cause you immediate pain in the injured area. The discomfort and pain, which can range from mild to severe, is usually worse when you walk or bend your knee.

Your knee contains four ligaments. These are tough bands of tissue that connect your thighbone (femur) to your lower leg bones (tibia and fibula). You have two collateral ligaments of each knee. One on the inside called the medial collateral ligament and one on the outside called the lateral collateral ligament. If the collateral ligament sprains or tears, you may feel a ripping sensation. In some cases, this ligament may become calcified after repeated injuries. This is known as Pellegrini-Stieda syndrome.

Ligament Injuries Treatment *

Your Doctor will examine your knee, including the area of the medial collateral ligament. An MCL test will be done to detect looseness of the ligament. This test involves bending the knee to 25 degrees and putting pressure on the outside surface of the knee. Other tests may include Knee MRI and Knee joint x-rays. Treatment to provide relief includes applying ice to the area, raising the knee above heart level, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). You should limit physical exercises and activity until the pain and swelling go away. After an initial period of keeping your knee still (usually with a knee brace), knee strengthening and stretching exercises should be done. KNEEHAB® combined with physical / voluntary exercises will provide you with an excellent remedy to help regain your knee and leg strength.

*www.nlm.nih.gov

The knees are the most easily injured part of the body. The largest and most complicated joint, the knee is used for everything from standing up, sitting, to walking, running, etc. It's a weight-bearing joint that straightens, bends, twists and rotates. All this motion increases your risk of acute or overuse knee injuries.

Acute knee injuries (including torn ligaments and torn cartilage) are often caused by twisting the knee or falling. Sports that involve running and jumping and sudden stopping and turning, such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and baseball, as well as contact sports such as football, wrestling, and hockey increase the risk of an acute knee injury.But more common than sudden knee injuries are injuries caused by overuse or overload.

Overuse knee injuries (including muscle strain, tendonitis and bursitis) may develop gradually over days or weeks. Pain is often mild and intermittent in the beginning and worsens over time. When muscles and tendons are stressed even slightly beyond their capabilities, microscopic tears occur. (Inflammation, which is part of the healing process, is what causes the pain). These tears must be given a chance to heal before subjected to the same activity to avoid overuse injury. Treat overuse injuries early to prevent chronic problems.

Knee pain is commonly caused by doing too much too soon when you haven't exercised for a long period of time - especially high-impact aerobics; walking, running or jumping on hard surfaces or uneven ground; excessive running up and down the stairs.

Knee osteoarthritis is a common cause of knee pain. The risk increases with age. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis involving degeneration of the cartilage. Exercise is vital to maintain strength and flexibility of muscles supporting the knee, which reduces the stress on the knee joint. People with knee osteoarthritis may also need to take pain medications and/or other complementary pain treatments.

Patellofemoral pain or anterior knee pain are terms that refer to pain arising between your patella and the underlying thighbone (femur). It's common in young women, in athletes, and in older adults, who usually develop the condition as a result of arthritis of the kneecap. Patellafemoral Syndrome (Chrondromalacia Patella) causes pain and tenderness in the front of your knee. The pain increases in intensity when you sit for long periods, when you get up from a chair and when you climb stairs. You may also notice a grating or grinding sensation when you extend your knee.*

*http://www.bigkneepain.com/

Knee Replacement Surgery

Knee replacement surgery, also known as total knee arthroplasty (TKA), can provide pain relief and restore function in severely diseased knee joints. During knee replacement, a surgeon cuts away damaged bone and cartilage from your thighbone, shinbone and kneecap and replaces it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of metal alloys, high-grade plastics and polymers.

Knee replacement can improve knee problems associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other degenerative conditions. Knee replacement may help you if you have pain that, limits activities, function or mobility, have tried other methods to improve symptoms, are 55 yrs or older and are generally healthy.

Rehabilitation Post Op *

After knee joint replacement, people are standing and moving the joint the day after surgery. At first, you may walk with the help of parallel bars, and then a walking device will be used until your knee is able to support your full body weight. After about 6 weeks, most people are walking comfortably with minimal assistance. Kneehab^TM XP can be used both pre and post surgery to maximise your quadriceps muscle strength thereby restoring your strength and joint movement with maximum control. Once muscle strength is restored people who have had knee joint replacement surgery can enjoy most activities.

www.webmd.com

Meniscus lesions often occur when the knee is stretched at the same time as rotating. The meniscus will consequently be squeezed between the thigh bone and the shin bone. The inner meniscus is more often damaged than the external. Symptoms: Pain along the joint line when applying pressure and when rotating the knee. The pain often occurs suddenly when performing certain movements, and can be accompanied by swelling of the knee. In some instances the knee can lock due to a splinter from the meniscus becoming jammed. In other cases, a small and tender outpouching of fluid can be sensed at the joint line (meniscus cyst). Prolonged discomfort will often cause the thigh muscle to diminish.

When people refer to a cartilage injury to the knee they usually mean an injury and damage to one of the menisci. You may tear a meniscus by a forceful knee movement while weight-bearing. The classic injury is for a football player to rotate the knee while the foot is still on the ground. Symptoms include: pain, swelling and loss of knee function.

Imbalances are problems which occur in muscle groups which work in opposing tasks due to over and under usage. Muscles are generally set up with one group needed to perform a given activity, such as bending your leg, and another group used for the opposing action, such as straightening your leg. Almost every bodily movement has an opposite movement possible, from the neck down to the toes. Muscular pairs which accomplish these opposing movements can work front to back or side to side (left and right) throughout the body. Imbalances are thought to occur when one set of specific task musculature is overdeveloped, overstretched or overused, while the opposing (opposite task) muscles are underdeveloped, under stretched or underused. This can occur from normal day to day activities or from repetitive motion jobs and repetitive stress injury conditions.
Not only can the muscles themselves be unbalanced, but the connecting ligaments and tendons can also suffer the same fate.  Soft tissue injuries can indeed cause back muscle pain, as can bad posture. 

Muscle strengthening is an essential part of the recovery process and can be completed pre or post surgery. It is necessary where atrophy has occurred, commonly after an injury or surgery. Strengthening the muscles aids in restoring normal muscle function and will help return full range of motion and prevent further wastage.

A person with a neurological disease has a disorder that affects nerves in the brain, spinal cord, or peripheral nerves. Neurological disease may affect the nerve cells or the axons that transmit nerve impulses from nerve cell to nerve cell. Causes of neurological disease include infection, inflammation, injury, tumor, an inherited illness. Symptoms of a neurological disease depend on the underlying cause. Symptoms may include muscle weakness, paralysis, numbness and tingling, facial drooping, slurred speech, double vision, difficulty swallowing, inability to walk, vertigo, confusion, seizures, or unresponsiveness.

Oedema (swelling) is the build-up of fluid in the soft tissue surrounding the joint and may occur in conjunction with joint pain. Swelling can result from acute injury, trauma to a joint, post surgery or from conditions such as arthritis. Management of oedema can be important in improving function and joint range of motion.

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a "cushion" between the bones. Complications associated with osteoarthritis are the loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.  Osteoarthritis of the knee is a disease in which the knee joint gradually deteriorates in the following ways: The cartilage at ends of bones that form the knee joint begins to wear away. The thick fluid that surrounds, lubricates, and protects the knee joint called synovial fluid becomes thinner and loses its ability to cushion and lubricate the joint.

The pain of osteoarthritis typically begins gradually and progresses slowly over many years. This pain worsens during activity and gets better during rest. As the condition worsens, pain can occur even when the joint is at rest. This pain is often described as aching, stiffness, and loss of mobility and can increase in certain weather conditions. Some experience muscle spasm, contractions in the tendons and OA can also cause a cracking-like noise in the knee when moved. (crepitus)

Patello-Femoral Syndrome is one of the most common causes of knee complaints, particularly among adolescents and young adults.

Description of Patello-Femoral Syndrome

The knee is a complex joint that not only bends and straightens but also twists and rotates. The knee is not a simple ball-and-socket joint, like the hip. It depends heavily on the soft tissues that surround it, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments because it is a weight-bearing joint that is subjected to many different types of motion. This variety of motion can lead to tearing of the cushioning cartilage inside the knee and supporting ligaments on both sides of and inside the knee.

Because of its structure, the knee is extremely susceptible to blows from the side. It also can be severely damaged by rotating, twisting forces. The joint is well designed for its intended functions but it is the most poorly designed of all joints in the body to withstand the forces of athletics.

The most common complaint with patella femoral syndrome is pain, located on the sides of the kneecap. You may also have discomfort under the patella. There may be a grinding feeling, or occasional popping of the knee as well. Running sprinting, jumping, going up and down stairs, and squatting are all things that can increase patella femoral pain.  Rest will usually make your knee feel better, however, without fixing the underlying problems causing it your pain is going to return once you start playing again.

The condition in which the blood supply to certain areas of the body is not sufficient to meet the metabolic needs is know as poor circulation. Various disorders can lead to poor circulation either generally or in a particular area. It can lead to cyanosis, pallor and other symptoms. It can cause discomfort and reduce the healing effectiveness in the affected area.

Most fractured (broken) bones will heal in usually six weeks but when you have enough stress placed through your body to fracture a bone there's usually a lot of other soft tissues and structures that have been damaged in the process. You also must consider being immobilised in plaster as there will be post-immobilisation stiffness and considerable weakness. This may even affect joints that don't seem related to the break. For example, a fractured shoulder may result in a very stiff elbow or wrist just because you were keeping your shoulder in a sling for a few weeks.

Arthroscopic surgery is the standard treatment to repair a meniscus tear. Meniscus tears typically occur in sports that require fast starts, stops, cuts and pivots. The medial meniscus is most commonly torn. During surgery the torn tissue is removed and the healthy meniscus tissue saved. Without surgical repair, the tear will likely continue with activity and fragments of the torn meniscus may damage the smooth articular cartilage of the knee, resulting in not only pain but possible arthritis. The main focus post surgery is to decrease swelling, regain full range of motion and build muslce strength.

Post-surgical pain is a complex response to tissue trauma during surgery that stimulates hypersensitivity of the central nervous system. The result is pain in areas not directly affected by the surgical procedure. Post-operative pain may be experienced by an inpatient or outpatient. It can be felt after any surgical procedure, whether it is minor dental surgery or a triple-bypass heart operation.

Early post-operative strengthening can lead to a faster recovery. Strong muscles provide vital support to the surrounding joints enabling them to become more stable thus allowing for better mobility.

Post-stroke rehabilitation

Rehabilitation helps stroke survivors relearn skills that are lost when part of the brain is damaged. For example, these skills can include coordinating leg movements in order to walk or carrying out the steps involved in any complex activity. Rehabilitation also teaches survivors new ways of performing tasks to circumvent or compensate for any residual disabilities. Patients may need to learn how to bathe and dress using only one hand, or how to communicate effectively when their ability to use language has been compromised. There is a strong consensus among rehabilitation experts that the most important element in any rehabilitation program is carefully directed, well-focused, repetitive practice - the same kind of practice used by all people when they learn a new skill, such as playing the piano etc.

Rehabilitation involves promoting independent movement because many patients are paralysed or seriously weakened. Patients are prompted to change positions frequently while lying in bed and to engage in passive or active range-of-motion exercises to strengthen their stroke-impaired limbs. Patients progress from sitting up and transferring between the bed and a chair to standing, bearing their own weight, and walking, with or without assistance. Rehabilitation helps patients perform progressively more complex and demanding tasks, such as bathing, dressing, and using a toilet, and they encourage patients to begin using their stroke-impaired limbs while engaging in those tasks. Beginning to reacquire the ability to carry out these basic activities of daily living represents the first stage in a stroke survivor's return to functional independence. For some stroke survivors, rehabilitation will be an ongoing process to maintain and refine skills and. Rehabilitation doesn't reverse the effects of a stroke. Its goals are to build your strength, capability and confidence so you can continue your daily activities despite the effects of your stroke.

*www.ninds.nih.gov

A thigh bone (femur) fracture is a break in the upper bone of the leg. Because the femur is the longest, strongest bone in the body, unless the bone is diseased, it takes great force to break it. Femur fracture most commonly occurs after a motor vehicle accident, a collision playing a sport, a fall from a high place, or as the result of a gunshot wound and underlying tumor (neoplasm). Nevertheless, elderly individuals or others who have weakened bones as a result of osteoporosis or other bone disease may experience a femur fracture from a simple fall in the home. The goal of rehabilitation after a femur fracture is to restore function. The rehabilitation protocol depends on the type, location, and severity of the fracture.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

PCL tears aren't usually as dramatic or painful as ACL tears. Most often, you'll experience pain and swelling in the space behind your knee (popliteal fossa) and a feeling of instability, as if your knee might give way.

 PCL Tear *

Your PCL ligament is located inside your knee and crosses the ACL as they stretch diagonally from the bottom of your thighbone to the top of your shinbone (tibia). The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) connects to the back of your shinbone.

 Posterior Cruciate Ligament Treatment

Treatment of your pain and swelling with crutches, ice, and elevation will provide you with relief and should be done immediately after the injury. Once these symptoms have settled and are controlled, physical rehabilitation exercises are beneficial to improve overall knee function and to maximize the other stabilizing structures of the knee. KNEEHAB XP combined with physical / voluntary exercises will provide you with the optimum therapy to help regain your joint movement and leg strength.

*orthopedics.about.com

Muscles can be weakened before surgery as a direct result of the injury and reduced mobility. Strengthening these muscles pre surgery can aid post operative recovery significantly.

Range of Motion deficit refers to a joint that has a reduction in its ability to move. The reduced motion may be a mechanical problem with the specific joint caused by injury or it may be caused by diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other types of arthritis. Pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with arthritis can limit the range of motion of a particular joint and impair function and the ability to perform usual daily activities.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis can affect almost any joint in your body, including your knees. In addition to pain and swelling, you're likely to have aching and stiffness, especially when you get up in the morning or after periods of inactivity; loss of motion in your knees and eventually deformity of the knee joints.

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects both knees at the same time. Although it's a chronic disease, it tends to vary in severity. Periods of increased disease activity called flare-ups often alternate with periods of remission.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. To date, the goal of treatment in rheumatoid arthritis is to reduce joint inflammation and provide pain relief, maximize joint function, and prevent joint destruction and deformity. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis optimally involves a combination of patient education, rest and exercise, joint protection, medications, and occasionally surgery. KNEEHAB XP when used as part of your exercise program will optimise your treatment therapy, restoring your strength and joint movement with maximum control. Early treatment of rheumatoid arthritis results in better outcomes.

Sports rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary approach to treat injuries sustained through sports participation so the athlete can regain normal pain-free mobility.

In cases where an injury has been incurred and an athlete must accelerate strengthening or off-set muscle atrophy, EMS can play an important role. This is very common when a joint injury occurs, the limb cannot be used and muscles are not being worked normally. A foot or ankle injury is a perfect example of this application. The MediStim XP unit can be used to work quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves when the athlete cannot properly walk or run for the initial stages of rehabilitation. For the athlete that sprains their ankle or knee in the latter stages of their training cycle, EMS can help to maintain muscle strength until you are ready to resume conventional training. The primary goal is to return to pre-injury activities.

By definition, a knee sprain is an injury to a knee ligament. The sprain may vary in severity from a slight stretch to a complete tear of the ligament. A mild, or grade 1, sprain simply stretches the ligament and causes pain and swelling. A moderate, or grade 2, sprain partially tears the ligament and is much more disabling. A severe, or grade 3, sprain is a complete rupture and often needs surgical repair.

Parts of the body may swell as a result of an injury, infection or disease. Swelling can also occur if the body is not circulating fluid properly. Generalised swelling from fluid retention is called edema. Lymph nodes may swell in response to an infection.

Arthritis causes the body to produce extra fluid in the knee joint. The amount of fluid tends to fluctuate over time. Patients with knee arthritis often notice the affected knee is larger than the other. The amount of fluid often corresponds with the amount of activity the patient has been doing--more significant activities cause more swelling.

Tendon Injuries (Tendonitis)

Tendonitis is the irritation and inflammation of one or more of your tendons. Tendons are the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscles to bone. Athletes, especially runners, skiers and cyclists are prone to develop inflammation in the patellar tendon. This connects your quadriceps muscle on the front of your thigh to your lower leg bone (tibia). Tendonitis can occur in one or both of your knees and often causes you pain and swelling at the front of your knee and just below your kneecap.

The discomfort you will feel usually isn't constant but tends to occur when you jump, run, squat or climb stairs. Your quadriceps or patellar tendons may also rupture, either partially or completely. In that case, the pain is likely to be most intense when you try to extend your knee. If your tendon is completely ruptured, you won't be able to extend or straighten your knee.

Tendonitis Treatment

First rest and protect the area. Then apply an ice pack to reduce the swelling. This allows your tendon to return to its usual state and perform its usual function. Take Anti-Inflammatory medications such as NSAID’s to reduce the swelling and provide pain relief. Do not begin exercises until the inflammation of tendonitis has resolved. Take Breaks to relieve stress on your tendons and don't perform one activity continuously for hours at a time. Protect the Tendons by using a support garment to provide relief. Strengthening with the aid of KNEEHAB XP will optimise your rehabilitation restoring your strength and joint movement.

Paralysis is a medical condition characterised by the inability to move one or more muscles. In most cases, a person experiencing paralysis also loses all feeling in the affected area. Paralysis may be temporary, depending on the cause. If it is the result of damage to the nervous system, it is usually consistent. There are many potential causes of paralysis. Two of the most common causes of paralysis are stroke and trauma, particularly to the nervous system or the brain.