Tag Archives: fractures

Common Causes of Knee Injuries

November 15, 2017 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Knee

While most of us take our knees for granted, injuries can occur quite easily and for a variety of reasons. Only when you suffer a knee injury, do you realize how much we rely on these joints on a day to day basis. Knee injuries cause discomfort and pain, but that’s not all. They can also be extremely debilitating and in serious cases, result in dramatically reduced mobility. So let’s take a look at some of the most common causes of knee injuries, and what to do in case you experience one.

What Are the Most Common Knee Injury Causes?

Well, there are a number of them – some more serious than others. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones!

Fractures: Fractures are very common knee injuries and can affect the patella, which is the most commonly fractured bone around the knee. Fractures can also affect the ends of the tibia and femur in the area where they come together to form the knee joint. Incidents such as serious falls and road traffic accidents are common causes of fractures. And sometimes even the best knee brace for running or other sports won’t be able to prevent a fracture.
Dislocated knee: Knee dislocation is another common knee issue and it occurs when the knee bone is either partially or totally out of place. This could include the patella slipping or the femur and tibia sustaining injury that forces them out of alignment. Various different sports activities as well as falls and other high impact trauma can cause this injury.
Torn ligament: Tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament is also a common type of knee injury. This is more common among those that take part in athletics and sporting activities. Some of the common causes of this injury include a rapid change in direction when running or incorrectly landing from a jump. In many cases, this sort of injury also comes with additional injuries to the cartilage.
Torn tendons: This type of injury is more common among older people, particularly those who are active runners or do any sports that require a lot of running. The tendons of the patella can become stretched and then torn during this type of activity. Direct force to the front of the knees, falls, and incorrect landing following a jump are all common causes of a torn tendons.

There are many different causes of knee injuries, but usually they involve some sort of high impact trauma. This is why these types of injuries are often sustained by athletes as well as people who are keen on physical activities. Falls, incorrect landings following a jump, and the twisting of the knee can all cause various different knee injuries.

The knees are among the most easily injured joints in the human body, and also one of the most common reasons for people seeing their doctor. So in the event of a knee injury, no matter what the cause, it is important to seek medical advice because a knee injury can escalate from simple twisting of the knee to a dislocation or worse pretty quickly. Because the treatment for a knee injury varies based on the severity as well as the type and cause of the problem, ranging from medication and physical therapy to even surgery, consulting a medical professional is the first step to treating your knee successfully.

More information about common knee injuries can be found in the PTandMe injury center.

Most Common Hockey Upper Body Injuries

October 3, 2017 Teresa Stockton - Blog, Sports and Fitness

Hockey season is getting ready to start and the sport of hockey can be quite dangerous. It is important for players to know how to prevent and treat injuries that occur during games. Unfortunately, these injuries leave us with some questions with descriptions such as “lower-body” and “upper-body” injuries. These injuries are purposely vague to leave some question as to the exact nature of the injury.

The accompanying infographic gives players an assist by listing off some common “upper body injuries.” It features tips and tricks to remain healthy both on and off the ice. The following should ease the minds of players who want to play the game as safely as they possibly can.

Click arrows in the bottom right corner to expand full screen

Upper Body Injuries by Pro Stock Hockey, an online resource for authentic pro stock hockey equipment (https://www.prostockhockey.com/)

Avoiding Workplace Hazards for Feet and Hands

October 20, 2015 contentadmin - Blog, Industrial Rehab

OSHA Estimates totals for foot and hand types of injuries annually at 320,000 hand and finger injuries, 70,000 eye injuries, 70,000 head and face injuries, and 110,000 foot and toe injuries in 1987. Close to 30% of the total injury base. Sharp or heavy falling objects are the primary sources of foot injuries. So how does one go about avoiding workplace hazards for feet and hands?

To help you get started we have listed out some of the common injuries and actions that lead to workplace injuries of the hand and foot. This is by no means complete as there certainly could be burns or lacerations or multiple levels of sprains/strains in either body area in addition to those noted.

Foot Injuries

One’s feet provide support and movement. Yet, the 26 bones in the human foot can be easily damaged. According to the BLS, 40 laborers suffer disabling injuries to their feet and toes every day. These injuries account for 8.5 percent of all lost-time injuries in the construction industry.

Compression – when foot or toe is squeezed between two objects
Puncture – when a sharp object like a nail, penetrates the shoe
Slipping – loss of traction due to oil, water or chemicals
Chemicals/Solvents – may penetrate ordinary safety shoes and can harm feet
Temperature Extremes – insulated boots may be necessary, depending on climate
Wetness – extended exposure to water may result in discomfort and possible infection
Electricity – a danger when using power tools or electric equipment

Some of the most common foot and leg injuries include:

Fractures – A fracture of the bones in the leg, foot, or knee may be caused by falling objects or an accidental fall from a height. Some fractures can be treated by using a lightweight cast and crutches, while more serious fractures may require surgery and extensive physical therapy.
Knee Tendonitis – Knee Tendonitis is a swelling of the tendons surrounding the knee. Individuals who spend a lot of time walking, standing, or lifting objects while at work are at risk of developing this painful condition. Older individuals are, particularly at risk.
Knee Bursitis – Knee Bursitis is a swelling of a fluid sac that provides cushioning for your knee joint. Like tendonitis, bursitis can cause severe pain, inflammation, and loss of mobility.
Loss of Limb – The most serious workplace accidents may require amputation. These life-altering accidents can have devastating effects on an individual’s quality of life and ability to work. Amputation cases are especially complicated because they involve issues of retraining, prosthetic replacement, wound care, and home modification. Leg and foot injuries can be among the most devastating for an individual to sustain as well as the most difficult to overcome. Using crutches or a wheelchair can severely limit a person’s mobility, and make it difficult to complete, let alone enjoy, everyday activities at work, at home, and in the community.
Leg and foot injuries can also make it very difficult, if not impossible, to return to one’s pre-injury employment. Individuals who perform manual labor rely on the use of their legs and feet to perform nearly every aspect of their jobs. Furthermore, many workplaces are also not properly equipped for individuals with limited mobility.

Hand Injuries

The hands are an extremely important part of the body and can be damaged in a matter of seconds, leaving a Laborer permanently disabled. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Laborers suffer over 8,600 disabling hand injuries each year, accounting for roughly 18 percent of all disabling injuries.

The most common dangers include:

Pinch or crush points
Hot surfaces
Rotating devices
Chemicals
Machinery not properly locked out

Some common hand, wrist, and arm injuries that can occur in the workplace include:

Fractures – A hand, wrist, or arm fracture can occur due to falling objects or other accidents. Some fractures can be severe and may require extensive reconstructive surgery.
Nerve damage – An accident may damage the nerves in the hand and arm, which may cause numbness and pain.
Loss of limb – A serious accident may require the amputation of an arm or hand. This serious injury can dramatically affect all aspects of your life. Individuals must relearn how to conduct even simple functions, and while prosthetic limbs can help, they are expensive. Furthermore, approximately 60-80% of amputees experience phantom limb syndrome, causing them to feel sensations such as aching, itching, and burning to emanate from the body part that is no longer there.

In addition to hand and arm injuries that are caused by an accident, many common injuries are caused or worsened by repetitive stress.
These ailments include:

Carpal tunnel syndrome – People with carpal tunnel syndrome experience pain and tingling sensations in their thumbs and fingers. Although the exact cause of carpal tunnel syndrome is unknown, many researchers believe that performing repetitive manual tasks, such as typing on a keyboard, may cause or worsen the condition. Carpal tunnel syndrome may require wrist surgery, steroid injections, or the use of a brace.
Repetitive strain injuries – Repetitive strain injuries are characterized by painful sensations while performing a repetitive task, such as lifting heavy objects. These injuries can worsen the more an activity is performed. Injuries to the arm and hand, whether suffered by an accident or through repetitive strain, can permanently impact a person’s life. Even the completion of simple, everyday tasks may become difficult and exhausting, diminishing one’s overall quality of life.

Understanding what the injuries are is the first step in prevention. If you are looking to put protocols in place to help team members avoid workplace hazards for feet and hands, please reach out to a physical therapy clinic that specializes in industrial rehabilitation. They can work with you to improve the safety of the workplace and the employees.