Knee Injuries Limit Future Athletic Activity
by Dr. Gabe Mirkin
A study from East Germany shows that athletes who tear the anterior
cruciate ligament (ACL) in their knees will have permanent knee
damage if they return to competitive sports ( Arthroscopy,
June 2005). The ACL runs from the top bone of the knee to the
bottom one and prevents the top bone from sliding forward when
the foot hits the ground during running and walking. If it is
torn, the knee becomes so unstable that a person will have difficulty
walking, so all torn anterior cruciate ligaments must be repaired.
In this study, East German Olympic athletes who tore their knee
ligaments in 1963-1965 returned to competition after having their
ligaments repaired and were examined 10 and 20 years later. Virtually
all had severe knee cartilage damage and more than half had total
knee replacement surgery.
Athletes with repaired torn anterior cruciate ligaments probably
should never run or jump again, although they may be able to pedal
a bicycle. Another study showed that people who have broken cartilage
in their knees can walk and cycle, but should not run or jump.
To keep bones from wearing down at joints, their ends are covered
with a thick white gristle called cartilage. Even one bleed into
a joint damages cartilage forever. Doctors cannot replace or heal
broken cartilage, they can only replace entire knee joints. Operating
and removing broken cartilage probably increases a person's chances
of needing a knee replacement, particularly if the exerciser continues
to run and jump. Sheering forces on the knee are very great during
walking downhill and running, and minimal during walking on level
ground and cycling. So people who have ever damaged cartilage
in their knee should walk on level ground, swim or cycle, and
avoid running and jumping.
|
|
Site News
Walking
Shoes
 Check
out the fantastic womens'
and mens'
walking shoes at Amazon.com! They have thousands of types of walking
shoes and fabulous prices.
Coolwalking.com
is an associate of Amazon and we have found them to be a very
dependable online shopping site. The selection is incredible and
the prices are out of this world! Click
here to see more samples of what they offer.
Walking Gear
 We
are also working with a company that sells high quality socks,
shorts, pedometers and more. Ultimate
Walking Gear can provide you with the best walking gear available.
Their products are the finest quality on the market and they back
it up with a guaranteed for life policy! The following items will
help you get the most out of your walking experience:
To have a look at this high quality gear, click
here.
|
|
