the knee journal
Human ingenuity may make various inventions
but it will never devise any invention more beautiful,
nor more simple, nor more to the purpose than Nature
does, because in her inventions nothing is wanting and
nothing is superfluous
-Leonardo Da Vinci
I am a knee surgeon. More accurately, I am an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine and in the diagnosis and treatment of knee problems. In my capacity as team physician for the Oakland Raiders and former physician for the Golden State Warriors, I have seen knee injuries in the most well-conditioned and gifted athletes, but have also seen and evaluated injuries in weekend warriors, in relatively sedentary people, and in industrial workers.
According to The Knee Society (www.kneesociety.org), there are close to 250,000 knee injuries that occur per year in the United States. And over the last few years, we have witnessed an increasing number of knee injuries in kids and maturing adults. In fact, baby boomers, who continue to lead active lives, are injuring their knees at an alarming rate and demanding more innovative treatments to allow them to maintain their active and healthy lifestyle. As a result, being a knee surgeon has become highly technical and specialized, requiring an intimate knowledge of the anatomy and function of the knee joint.
The knee joint is a complex and finely tuned machine and not merely “the thigh bone connected to the leg bone”. It is the largest joint in the body. And despite popular belief, it does not merely function as a hinge. In fact, as well as bending (flexing) and straightening (extending), the joint actually moves from side to side, front to back, and it even rotates with every step. It is a wonder, with all of this movement going on, that more injuries with greater frequency do not occur.
Evolution has made the knee relatively resistant to injury, especially if you consider that it endures anywhere from 12,000 to 15,000 steps per day. And with each step it balances anywhere from 2 to 7 times body weight depending on whether you are walking, running, or jumping. These repetitive forces can eventually cause breakdown of the knee with a resultant injury. It would be like your car tire treads wearing out (after the warranty is over).
I am a knee surgeon. And I hope through this blog that readers will become more familiar with what I do in the prevention and treatment of knee injuries occurring in weekend warriors, amateur, collegiate, and professional athletes, as well as in any person attempting to function at their highest level. I will need to first familiarize you with the anatomy of the knee and how this affects injuries, and also to dispel any myths that are commonly held about knee injuries.
We will discuss the advances in the care of knee ailments including exercise and rehabilitation programs, knee arthroscopy, cartilage restoration and reconstruction (a growing new specialization), joint resurfacing, and total knee replacement. As a result, you may be better able to understand the decisions and recommendations that your own physician will make. You then will be able to make the right choices for your own treatment.
Until next time……
Warren J. Strudwick Jr., M.D. www.sportdoctor@mac.com
