• Types and Causes of Common Knee Injuries

    Types & Causes of Common Knee Injuries in Sandusky, OH

    A knee injury can affect your quality of life and overall physical and mental health. At Sandusky Wellness Center, our chiropractors have decades of experience evaluating and treating knee injuries in Sandusky, OH. Here is a look at the types and causes of common knee injuries, what you should do if you have a knee injury, and how to prevent knee injuries.

    Young man on his way to Sandusky Wellness Center in Ohio for knee injury treatment

    Different Types of Knee Injuries

    A knee injury is caused by trauma, stress, or strain to the ligaments, joints, tendons, cartilage, bones, or muscles of the knee. The most common knee injuries we encounter are:

    • Knee Fractures – A knee fracture is a break of one of the bones in the knee. The patella is the most broken bone in the knee. A knee fracture can be caused by trauma, falls, car accidents, sports and work accidents, fights, and abuse.
    • ACL Injuries – An ACL injury is a knee ligament injury caused by a partial or complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. ACL injuries are commonly caused by high-impact or high-energy sports like football, soccer, and basketball.
    • Dislocated Knee – A dislocated knee occurs when the bones of the knee pop out of place partially or completely. This can occur due to injury or trauma or as a complication of a medical condition or another injury.
    • PCL Injuries – A PCL injury is a knee ligament injury that affects the posterior cruciate ligament. It can occur due to trauma, sports or auto accidents, or a blow to the knee.
    • Collateral Ligament Injuries – A collateral ligament injury, also called a medial knee injury, is an injury to the medial collateral ligament or MCL. It is a contact injury caused by a direct blow or trauma to the knee.
    • Repetitive Stress or Overuse Injuries – Repetitive stress and overuse injuries are typically sports or work-related. They occur when the structures of the knee are stressed or strained due to repetitive motion.
    • Meniscal Tears – A meniscal tear is a tear in the meniscus that occurs when your knee suddenly twists or pivots. It is a common sports injury and can also occur as a complication of arthritis or aging.
    • Tendon Tears – A tendon tear is a tear of the quadriceps or patellar tendon that happens when it is severely stretched. It can happen due to a fall, direct force, or trauma, or as a result of a sports, auto, or work injury.

     

    Causes of Knee Injury

    The most common causes of knee injuries and knee pain in adults are trauma, overuse, aging, and complications from other injuries or conditions. Certain medical conditions can increase your risk of a knee injury. Aging and wear and tear of the knee joints and other structures can also make an injury more likely. You can also sustain knee injuries from falling, sudden twisting of the knee, landing on the knee wrong after a jump, or sustaining a sudden impact while playing sports or being hit by something. Repetitive activities like twisting, lifting, and carrying heavy objects, running, jumping, and standing on hard surfaces can put pressure on the knee and increase your risk of wear and tear. Aging can also cause knee-related problems like arthritis and age-related degeneration of the joint.

    Conditions That Increase Your Risk of Knee Injury

    Certain medical conditions increase your risk of a knee injury:

    • Obesity
    • Arthritis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
    • Diabetes
    • Joint hypermobility conditions
    • Rheumatoid arthritis
    • Lupus
    • Gout
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Osgood-Schlatter disease
    • Baker’s cysts

    What to Do if You Have an Acute Knee Injury

    If you have an acute knee injury, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. We have an urgent chiropractic care clinic and a walk-in clinic and can provide immediate pain relief and treatment for knee injuries. While waiting for your appointment, you can:

    • Immediately stop putting weight or pressure on your knee.
    • Apply ice packs to the knee for 20 minutes at a time.
    • Wrap your knee with a sports or medical wrap.
    • Elevate your knee.
    • Apply a heat pack or heating pad to the knee.
    • Take Aleve, Advil, or aspirin.

    Why Choose Sandusky Wellness Center

    Our team of experienced chiropractors at Sandusky Wellness Center treat a wide range of conditions, from musculoskeletal injuries to headaches, migraines, and stress. We specialize in integrative medicine and chiropractic care and focus on curative, preventive, and wellness care to improve your overall health. Whether you have chronic knee pain, an acute knee injury, or a high-risk lifestyle that increases your risk of knee problems, our team can design a personalized treatment plan that addresses pain, improves knee function, and teaches you how to prevent knee injuries in the future. In addition to providing routine chiropractic care, we also operate an urgent chiropractic clinic and walk-in clinic for emergency chiropractic care.

    Call to Find Fast Relief from Knee Injury Pain

    Call us now or contact us online to find relief from knee injury pain in Sandusky, OH. We provide chiropractic care to patients of all ages. Our state-of-the-art chiropractic clinic provides advanced techniques, wellness services, guidance, counseling, and diagnostic services that are carefully tailored to your needs.

  • Sports Chiropractor vs Traditional Chiropractor

    Exploring Sports Chiropractors vs Traditional Chiropractors

    For athletes who engage in intense physical activity, a sports chiropractor is an invaluable addition to your wellness regimen. Many patients do not realize that there are fundamental differences between a traditional chiropractor and a sports chiropractor. Fortunately, as a leading sports chiropractor, Sandusky Wellness Center in Sandusky, OH, is here to provide clarity.

    Your Partner in Chiropractic Care

    Sports Chiropractor in Sandusky, OH
    Determining whether you need a sports chiropractor or a traditional chiropractor can be daunting if you are unsure what the difference is. Both chiropractors are skilled in various chiropractic techniques. However, the main difference is their focus. As your trusted partner in premier chiropractic care, Sandusky Wellness Center is here to help you discover the right chiropractor for your needs.

    History of Sports Chiropractors

    Chiropractic treatment dates back to the 19th century. However, it wasn’t until 1980 that chiropractic care was implemented into the United States Olympic medical team. Since then, massage therapy, spinal adjustments, and other chiropractic mediums have become a monumental component of remedying sports-related injuries, proving to have transformative benefits for many different types of athletes.

    Understanding Sports Chiropractors

    In contrast to traditional chiropractors who treat general discomforts, a sports chiropractor focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries while optimizing an athlete’s performance and rehabilitation. Their goal is to get athletes back to their sport without pain as quickly and efficiently as possible.

    What Does a Sports Chiropractor Do?

    Sports chiropractors create personalized treatment plans based on an athlete’s unique needs and concerns. Their specialty as chiropractors for sports injuries enables them to evaluate injuries, diagnose and treat the injury, and provide rehabilitation without the use of drugs or surgery. Their techniques range from injury prevention to performance enhancement and beyond.

    Key Elements of Sports Chiropractors

    Sports injury chiropractors do not solely work with injured athletes. Some of the key elements a sports chiropractor can assist with include:

    • Enhanced recovery times
    • Faster healing
    • Prevention of sports-related injuries
    • Joint alignment restoration
    • Enhanced range of motion and flexibility
    • Improved balance and posture

    Traditional Chiropractor

    A traditional chiropractor is a professional who has completed eight to nine years of schooling, including an undergraduate degree in chiropractic medicine. These professionals are well-versed in an array of chiropractic care techniques. As such, they are adept at treating sports-related injuries. However, they are not trained in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of specific sports-related conditions.

    What Does Traditional Chiropractic Care Do?

    Traditional chiropractors focus on the health of the spine. They perform adjustments to resolve misalignment issues that may impact other areas of the body. The primary focus in traditional chiropractic care is to trigger the body’s inherent healing ability to encourage patient well-being without medication or surgical intervention.

    Conditions Treated by Traditional Chiropractors

    Traditional chiropractors are equipped to handle a range of posture, musculoskeletal, and alignment concerns. Some of the common issues treated by a traditional chiropractor include:

    • Back pain
    • Neck pain
    • Headaches and migraines
    • Joint pain
    • General wellness and stress relief

    Sports Chiropractor Certification

    Following chiropractic schooling, a sports chiropractor must continue their studies. To become a sports chiropractor, a chiropractor must enroll in a post-graduate course to complete a Certified Sports Physician or Diplomate American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians course. Then, they must pass the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians exam to become certified.

    Differences Between Sports Chiropractors & Chiropractors

    While both types of chiropractors share a foundation of common principles, there are several differences. These differences include:

    • The scope of conditions treated
    • The patient base
    • Their techniques
    • Diagnosis and monitoring of conditions

    What to Expect From a Sports Chiropractor

    With a chiropractor specializing in sports injuries, treatment is custom-tailored. With a collaborative approach, sports chiropractors often work in unison with coaches, trainers, and other healthcare professionals for a comprehensive treatment plan. Furthermore, they strongly focus on prevention, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

    Consult With a Sports Chiropractor

    At Sandusky Wellness Center, our sports chiropractors are here to help you enhance not only your quality of life but your athletic performance. From alleviating discomforts to improving your mobility, balance, and flexibility, we are here to provide comprehensive care. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with a sports chiropractor.