Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Knee injuries 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training The knee joint The knee joint is a pivotal hinge joining the thigh with the leg. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training The knee joint It supports nearly the whole weight of the body, therefore it is vulnerable to injury. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training The knee joint Injuries to this joint are amongst the most common in sport. Understanding the anatomy of the joint is fundamental in understanding first aid treatment. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training The knee joint Basically, the knee joint is made up of four bones, which are connected by muscles, ligaments, and tendons: 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Ligaments The stability of the knee owes greatly to the presence of its ligaments. They are like strong ropes that help connect bones. Each has a particular function in helping to maintain good knee stability in a variety of different positions. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Ligaments 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cruciate ligaments Cruciate ligaments are so called because they form a cross in the middle of the knee joint. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training ACL injury Out of all the knee ligament injuries, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are the most common cause of knee instability. If it is torn, the knee joint may become unstable and affect the ability to perform work or athletic activities. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training ACL Basically, the ACL prevents the shin bone (tibia) from moving forward on the thigh bone (femur). 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training ACL injury An injury to the ACL can be a debilitating injury to the knee. Non-contact tears and ruptures are the most common causes of ACL injury. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training ACL injury 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage The ends of the bones are soft, so they must be covered with a thick gristle called cartilage. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage They also distribute your body weight across the knee joint. Without this the weight of your body would be unevenly applied to the bones in your legs. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage Cartilage in the knee has to deal with repetitive mechanical forces that can sometimes reach 65 times body weight. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage Once damaged, cartilage can never heal. When it is damaged, the person spends the rest of their life losing more cartilage until it is completely gone and the knee hurts 24 hours a day. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage There are two types of cartilage within the knee joint; articular and meniscal 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Cartilage The meniscus sits on the top surface of the tibia and act as two shock absorbers. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Meniscus tears 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Patella The patella, also known as the knee cap, is a thick, circular-triangular bone which joins with the femur and covers and protects the front of the knee joint 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Patella 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Patella The patella is located in a groove which is known as trochlea. When the knee bends or straightens, the Patella moves around in the groove. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Patella Sometimes, the Patella moves out of its groove due to an injury. Thus it comes unstuck from the rest of the knee, causing dislocation. Patella dislocation is a common type of knee injury 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training Patella The main causes of Patella dislocation are: A rough landing on the knee while walking or running Or a blow to the outside of the knee 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Severe pain, manage the injury as a fracture and seek medical aid. Rice management REST the casualty and the injured part. ICEPACKS (cold compress) wrapped in a wet cloth may be applied to the injury for 15 minutes, every 2 hours for 24 hour, then for 15 minutes every 4 hours for 24 hours. COMPRESSION apply elastic bandage, firmly to extend well beyond the injury. ELEVATE the injured part. Severe pain, manage the injury as a fracture and seek medical aid. 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training

Coffs Harbour Divisional Training 8 November 2018 Coffs Harbour Divisional Training