Plica Syndrome

Plica syndrome is pain in the knee due to overuse. Plica is used to describe the folds that are found in the lining of the knee joint. There are four plicae synovial folds, but  only the medial plica causes issues. The medial plica is attached to the lower end of the kneecap and runs sideways on the inner part of the knee to the lower end of the thighbone. 

Repetitive motions from exercising can irritate the plica and cause plica syndrome. Plica syndrome can also occur from a fall or any type of trauma hitting the knee. The injury can cause the plica to swell and may lead to scarring and thickening of the tissue.

The swelling and scar tissue will cause pain within the knee. A snapping or catching feeling may be felt when the knee is bent and you may experience or tightness that is tender to the touch.

Your physical therapist will assess the state of your knee through an examination. The examination will determine the mobility of your knee and to find thickened piece of plica on your knee.

Working with a physical therapist is great way to improve your symptoms of plica syndrome without surgery. He or she will design a customized treatment plan to reduce your pain as well as to improve the strength of your knee. Their goal is to keep your pain under control while improving the quadriceps muscle strength and range of motion. Icing the knee and taking anti-inflammatories will also help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Your physical therapist will focus on getting the quadriceps muscle moving when the symptoms of pain and swelling begin to subside. He or she will instruct you to do exercises designed to keep pressure off of your kneecap while improving the muscles in your leg. Physical therapy is a great way to heal your knee from plica syndrome by building your strength back and healing the injury.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Chondromalacia

Chondromalacia patella, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is when damage is done to the cartilage underneath the patella (kneecap). Damage due to overuse and injury causes the cartilage under the kneecap to soften and deteriorate. The condition has been given the nickname “runner’s knee” as many athletes, especially runners, are diagnosed with this condition.

There are a number of reasons why someone could be faced with chondromalacia. Injury, repetitive stress, weak muscles, and poor alignment due to a congenital condition can all cause improper kneecap movement and lead to chondromalacia. When these factors arise, the kneecap rubs against the bone causing deterioration.

Chondromalacia is very common in women because there is more pressure on the kneecap due to having a wider pelvis and less muscle mass. Age is also a risk factor as young adults and adolescents are at a higher risk due to growth spurts, causing a short-term muscle imbalance affecting the knee.

Running, jumping or exercising that puts extra stress on the knee can increase your risk of developing “runner’s knee.” These activities can put pressure on the knee joints especially if you are increasing your training level.

Chondromalacia usually causes a dull aching pain in the front of your knee and you may feel sensations of cracking or grinding when bending your knee. The pain may worsen from walking up or down stairs, prolonged period of sitting, or from extended periods of exercising.

Physical therapy is a great option to help treat pain from chondromalacia. A physical therapist will develop a customized treatment plan to relieve the pressure from your kneecap. Strengthening your quadriceps, hamstrings, and the muscles around your hips can help improve your strength and balance, and improving your balance will help to prevent the misalignment of your knee.

Icing and ibuprofen may be recommended to reduce swelling as the knee may be inflamed as a symptom of chondromalacia. Your physical therapist may have you wear a supportive knee brace to help improve the alignment of your kneecap. If you are suffering from “runner’s knee”, physical therapy should be your first option to help alleviate your pain from this condition.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Tommy John Surgery

Tommy John Surgery (TJS), or it ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is a medical procedure where a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body. The replacement tendon is from either the hamstring, forearm, or foot of the patient. This surgery is extremely popular in the world of collegiate and professional athletes, most notably baseball, as it has proven to be very successful in providing the athlete with the power and range of motion they possessed prior to their injury.

The surgery was first performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974 on the great major league pitcher Tommy John, whose career had seemingly come to an end after an ongoing injury to his left elbow. Dr. Jobe gave Tommy John’s surgery a 1 and 100 chance of being successful as the surgery was still new and experimental in nature. After a year of rehabilitation, both men realized the procedure had be a success and the surgery was dubbed Tommy John Surgery.

The injury results from repetitive use of the elbow during violent motions (such as throwing a baseball or javelin). The repetitive strain can lead to microscopic tissue trauma, inflammation, and eventually a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) also know as the medial collateral ligament(MCL).

The procedure is quite interesting and inventive. The arm is opened up around the elbow and holes are drilled in the ulna and humerus bones. The tendon (graft) taken from somewhere else in the body or from a donor is passed through the tunnels (drilled holes) and woven into a figure-eight pattern to reconstruct the ligament. For extra strength, any remaining original ligaments are attached to the tendon as well.

After the surgery, there is a rigorous rehabilitation period that follows. In most cases, it takes up to a year for the patient to perform comfortable with their elbow, but could take two years or more. Athletes work with physical therapist after surgery to get their elbow back to their previous level of ability.

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.

Cross Country Injuries

Cross country is a competitive sport combining a repetitive motion with repeated force on the body over an extended period of time and physicians estimate that nearly 80 percent of runners become injured each year. Cross country injuries are most likely impact, motion, or bone related.

Top injuries that most cross country runners face are:

1. Runner’s Knee

Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), is pain around or behind the kneecap. The knees receive extra stress from to the consistent pounding force of running, whether it be from the pavement, from running downhill, or because of weak hips or muscles.

2. Achilles Tendonitis

Achilles tendinitis is the inflammation at the back of the lower leg just the above the heel at the Achilles tendon.

3. Plantar Fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis is caused from tearing the plantar fascia (tissue at the bottom of the foot). It can lead to inflammation or pain as well as extreme stiffness.

4. Shin Splints

Shin splints occur when the muscles and tendons covering the shinbone become inflamed.

5.Patellar tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis, also known as “jumper’s knee”, are the tiny tears in the patellar tendon and are very common in long distance runners. Strengthening your hamstrings and quads can help to reduce patellar tendinitis.

6. Stress Fracture

Stress fractures are tiny cracks within a bone that are caused by repeated force.

7. Ankle Sprain

An ankle sprain occurs when the ankle rolls inward or outward. Certain circumstances can cause an ankle sprain such as potholes, curbs, branches or landing wrong can cause your ankle to roll.

8. Pulled Muscles

The fibers and tendons can tear and pull a muscle when it is overstretched. The hamstring and the calf muscle are common pulled muscles in runners.

To minimize and prevent injury cross country runners should always make sure to warm up and cool down before and after any physical activity. Runners should identify and make sure their form is correct in order to limit shin splints and back pain. Runners should replace their sneakers every 600 miles.

Adding weight training into a workout helps to strengthen your bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Strengthening your structural fitness helps to avoid injury and endure the stress that running does to your body

Always know your limits. Your body is your temple, and by taking care of it, you will be able to avoid injury and preserve your running career!

Did you know that you have Direct Access to Physical Therapy? No referral is needed. We offer the best Physical Therapy on Long Island where you can get help from our trusted and expert Physical Therapists. We have several locations on Long Island including Massapequa, Valley Stream, Wantagh and Lindenhurst. To start your Physical Therapy evaluation, call Park Physical Therapy and The Physical Therapy Alliance at (516) 568-4444.