Georgia Bulldogs are ‘Smart’ and Recover from Sports 'Injuries'

Knee pain is very common and can have different causes. Whether young or mature, you can experience knee pain. When knee pain is experienced by a young person, it’s usually a result of an injury. Older adults and the elderly experiencing knee pain may be due to wear and tear or arthritis.

The University of Georgia has experienced plenty of 'injuries' over the 41 year National Title drought. Whether those injuries be sports related or mental/heart breaking injuries, the Dawgs finally overcome those injuries during last nights game. Alabama was not so lucky on the injury front this year and we saw many sports related injuries, including a few common knee injuries. 

The knee is the largest joint in the body, and one of the most easily injured. It is made up of four main things: bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.

• Bones.
  • Three bones meet to form your knee joint: your thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella).
• Articular cartilage.
  • The ends of the femur and tibia, and the back of the patella are covered with articular cartilage. This slippery substance helps your knee bones glide smoothly across each other as you bend or straighten your leg.
• Meniscus.
  • Two wedge-shaped pieces of meniscal cartilage act as "shock absorbers" between your femur and tibia. Different from articular cartilage, the meniscus is tough and rubbery to help cushion and stabilize the joint. When people talk about torn cartilage in the knee, they are usually referring to torn meniscus.
• Ligaments.
  • Bones are connected to other bones by ligaments. The four main ligaments in your knee act like strong ropes to hold the bones together and keep your knee stable.
• Collateral ligaments.
  • These are found on the sides of your knee. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of your knee, and the lateral collateral ligament is on the outside. They control the sideways motion of your knee and brace it against unusual movement.
• Cruciate ligaments.
  • These are found inside your knee joint. They cross each other to form an "X" with the anterior cruciate ligament in front and the posterior cruciate ligament in back. The cruciate ligaments control the back and forth motion of your knee.
• Tendons.
  • Muscles are connected to bones by tendons. The quadriceps tendon connects the muscles in the front of your thigh to your patella. Stretching from your patella to your shinbone is the patellar tendon.

It may be time to visit an orthopedic doctor if you experience any of the following, especially after an incident like an injury following athletics:

• Redness, warmth, and tenderness in the knee
• Significant swelling
• Severe pain
• Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
• Fever
• Physical deformity in the area

Knee pain that does not get better warrants a visit to an orthopedic doctor. Orthopedic doctors have the specialized knowledge and training needed to treat a wide variety of problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. Pain is your body’s way of alerting you that something is wrong.

During the College Football National Championship, UGA took on Alabama and we saw many sports injuries. Including a devastating knee injury to star WR Jameson Williams. Whether you are playing on the big screen or backyard, if you experience a knee or sports injury, call Dr. Nicholson to get back on the field sooner than later.  

Chronic knee pain that is not severe enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room or urgent care may be a sign of a degenerative condition. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting the knee and is a result of age-related changes to the protective cartilage of joints. Osteoarthritis is progressive, meaning it will continue to get worse. If you have to take pain relievers more than a few times a month for knee pain, it is a sign that you should see a doctor.

Also seek medical attention for knee pain that is accompanied by stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion. These are signs that an injury or condition exists. Many people ignore such signs, especially as they get older because they think it’s a part of normal aging. People who are overweight also think it’s a normal symptom. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Chronic knee pain, while very common, is not normal. Don’t accept it as your fate. There are many treatment solutions available that can reduce or eliminate knee pain.

Dr. Daniel Nicholson

Known for his expertise in arthroscopic and minimally invasive procedures of the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee, Dr. Nicholson is a licensed and board certified orthopedic surgeon.

He maintains a special interest in preventing and treating ACL injuries, and in cartilage restoration procedures. Dr. Nicholson previously served as an associate team physician for a number of high-profile sports organizations, including the Houston Rockets, Houston Astros, Houston Texans, Houston Dynamo and more.

In his practice, Dr. Nicholson is passionate about building a strong and personable relationship with his patients. By engaging with his patients holistically, he’s better equipped to optimize their surgical and nonsurgical outcomes and provide an overall improved quality of life.

Perimeter Ortho says Go Dawgs! Congratulations on winning the 2022 College Football National Championship!

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Information Gathered by AAOS & Advanced Bone and Joint. Images credit: Fox5 News & Getty Images. 

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Lauren Mueller Marketing