Acute sport-related knee injuries

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Australia experiences high sports participation rates, leading to frequent knee injuries, especially in contact and pivoting sports.
• Common sport-related knee injuries involve ligaments (collateral, cruciate), menisci, and the extensor mechanism.

Approach:

• This review synthesizes current management strategies for prevalent sport-related knee injuries.
• It differentiates between injuries amenable to non-operative, physiotherapy-led rehabilitation and those requiring surgical intervention.

Key Points:

• Isolated medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament, and posterior cruciate ligament injuries often respond well to non-operative treatment.
• Anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in young athletes targeting return to pivoting sports, specific meniscal tears, and extensor mechanism disruptions typically necessitate surgical management.
• A multidisciplinary approach is crucial for optimizing patient care and outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of sport-related knee injuries in Australia requires distinguishing between conservative and surgical treatment pathways.
• Physiotherapy plays a significant role in the rehabilitation of many knee injuries, while surgical intervention is indicated for specific, more severe cases.
• Integrated, multidisciplinary care ensures comprehensive management for athletes with knee injuries.