Knee injuries are common among all types of individuals, from athletes to those who live sedentary lifestyles. But what’s the most common type of knee injury?
There isn’t a single most common injury, as the circumstances of every injury differ. However, the most common knee traumas usually involve fractures, sprains, tears, and dislocations.
ACL Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a critical structure in the knee joint responsible for stabilizing the knee by preventing too much forward movement and rotation of the tibia, the shin bone.
ACL tears usually occur during sports activities involving jumping, changing directions, or stopping suddenly, such as in soccer and basketball.
ACL tears typically cause immediate pain and swelling. Walking or bearing weight on the affected leg is difficult or nearly impossible as the knee joint is destabilized. Treatment for ACL tears usually involves physical therapy, bracing, and regenerative medicine. Surgery is an option for more advanced tears.
Meniscus Tears
Meniscus tears are another common knee injury affecting the cartilage that cushions the knee joint and helps to distribute weight evenly across the joint. Meniscus tears usually result from a sudden impact or twisting and are often seen among athletes or active individuals.
Symptoms of meniscus tears also involve pain and swelling, and individuals with meniscus tears may experience stiffness and have difficulty moving their knees.
Treatment for meniscus tears involves rest, physical therapy, or sometimes surgery. Regenerative therapies like stem cell therapy or platelet-rich plasma therapy can help heal meniscus tears and reduce recovery time by improving the overall function of the knee.
Regenerative Medicine for Knee Injuries
Traditional treatment methods for knee injuries can certainly be effective, but these treatments aren’t suitable for everyone. Sometimes, clinical interventions lead to long-term complications or insufficient recovery. Regenerative medicine, like stem cell therapy, offers alternative solutions to treat knee injuries.
Regenerative medicine works by harnessing your body’s innate ability to heal itself through repairing or replacing damaged tissues with healthier tissue.
Stem Cell Therapy
One method of regenerative medicine is stem cell therapy, which some options involve extracting stem cells from your body — such as from fat tissue or even bone marrow — and injecting those stem cells directly into the injured area.
Stem cells have the ability to differentiate according to the environment they’re in. When they’re injected into damaged tissue, they’re able to potentially regenerate it and promote healing.
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is another method that involves administering concentrated platelets to the injured site. Platelets have growth factors and other healing proteins that can work together with your body to reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair.
Using Regenerative Medicine to Treat Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are an unfortunate experience that can cause a lot of pain and difficulty in performing activities of daily life. Fortunately, regenerative medicine shows promise in helping individuals with knee injuries reduce inflammation, find pain relief, and enhance their healing process for a quicker recovery overall.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine for knees, also known as Regenerative therapy for Knees! Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions.
