Jun 22, 2011

Sacroiliac Joint Pain & Pregnancy

May 15th, 2013
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Si Joint Pain During Pregnancy

A woman’s body does some incredible things before, during and after pregnancy to bring a baby (or babies) into this world. But some of these things also have some negative side effects. One of the more common ones is sacroiliac joint pain during pregnancy. Indeed, an estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of all women experience hip and back pain during pregnancy, according to Ronald J. Tyszkowski, chiropractic physician and founder of Pregnancy-Related Low-Back Pain Clinic at the Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island. (Read about other common causes of back pain during pregnancy.) Check out all of BraceAbility’s Maternity Braces & Supports on our website.

The two SI joints of the body refer to the connective ligaments between the iliac bones and the sacrum of the pelvis. The tissues that connect these bone structures of the pelvis allow for very limited movement. Too much movement can result in inflammation that is often the cause of SI joint pain.

SI Joint Pain: Pregnancy Risk Factors

The Sacroiliac (SI) Joint

During pregnancy, a woman’s body produces more of the hormone relaxin. This hormone increases the laxity of one’s ligaments. While this is good for giving birth, it is not so ideal in that it allows more movement of these pelvic ligaments, resulting in SI joint pain during pregnancy.

Compounding this issue is the excess weight a pregnant woman will carry as well as any abnormal gait (waddle) or posture she might assume.

Other things that increase one’s risk of SI joint pregnancy pain include heavy lifting (as one might do for childcare) and lying on one’s back. Standing up after sitting can also aggravate this sacroiliac joint dysfunction pregnancy pain.

The symptoms of SI joint dysfunction include pain or stiffness that centers in one’s lower back in the area the SI joints are located. Besides sacroiliac joint pain in pregnancy, one might also experience radiating pain in areas such as the hip, groin, abdomen or the outer part of the leg.

 

Cybertech Sacroiliac Joint Belt for Pregnancy

Cybertech Sacroiliac Joint Belt for Pregnancy

SI Belt: Pregnancy

One often-pursued means of achieving sacroiliac joint pregnancy pain relief is wearing a maternity SI belt. A pregnancy SI belt works as a SI joint pain treatment by stabilizing and supporting the problematic sacroiliac joints by applying targeted compression to the lower back.

Pregnancy can be a cumbersome state in and of itself without trying to throw a support brace into the mix. But the innovative design of the SI belts at BraceAbility makes them easy to wear and adjust. Consider, for instance, the Cybertech Low Profile Sacroiliac Brace that can be used as an SI belt for pregnancy. It features a unique pulley system for easily achieving 5 to 1 compression power with one easy pull. The top-selling Cybertech Sacro Iliac Belt offers the same features.

 

Other Treatment for SI Joint Pain in Pregnancy

One step for easing sacroiliac pain in pregnancy is to engage in exercises to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen, pelvis and back so that they can help correct the excess motion and take some of the strain off of the SI joint.

Pain relievers (approved by a doctor) can also be helpful for managing sacroiliac pain during pregnancy. A warm bath (keep the water under 100 degrees F to protect the fetus) can also be a soothing remedy for sacroiliac pregnancy discomfort. A prenatal chiropractor may also be able to perform some adjustments to ease SI joint discomfort.

The good news is that SI joint pain with pregnancy typically goes away after birth.

R.I.C.E. Treatment: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

May 14th, 2013
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RICE Treatment

RICE is a go-to mode of treatment for just about any injury, from repetitive stress injuries to torn or strained ligaments or muscles to stress fractures. Thus, a blog post on the RICE acronym is well overdue.

First off, the acronym RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, elevation. Rice treatment for injury is generally pursued with the goal of reducing the inflammation and swelling that coincides with injuries, ultimately allowing the injury to heal. In the article that follows, I will take you through each of the steps of RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) for a more detailed look at why each of these steps is pursued.

RICE Treatment Acronym

Rest

As soon as an injury occurs, it is important to stop doing the harmful activity and give the injured region a break. But it is not easy to rest certain areas of the body. In such cases, a support product might be helpful for minimizing pressure to a given region or immobilizing the injured area.

For instance, RICE treatment for sprained ankle might include use of an ankle splint or crutches as most of us cannot afford to be bedridden to rest the ankle—not to mention, this would lengthen the recovery process as one would lose muscle and flexibility.

Another important thing to keep in mind relative to RICE injury treatment is that if a certain activity causes pain, you should stop doing it or take a break. Pushing-through the pain will only cause additional damage over the long-term.

Ice

Applying ice is an important step of the acronym RICE. Ice should be applied immediately following an injury and during the recovery process. The benefits of ice are that it reduces pain and swelling and can slow bleeding (if applicable). Ice should be applied for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day the first few days following an injury. The ice should not be applied directly to the skin; blunt the cold by wrapping it in a towel or something of that nature.

If the skin turns white in response to the ice, one should stop treatment immediately. Also, those with a vascular disease, diabetes or diminished sensation should ask a doctor before applying ice; in such instances, ice may do more harm than good.

Compression

Compression is the next step in the acronym for RICE that is aimed at reducing swelling. A number of braces available at BraceAbility contain inserts that apply targeted compression. For instance, the Bauerfeind GenuTrain knee brace takes care of both the rest and compression element of RICE for a knee injury.

Alternatively, one can use an elastic bandage to apply compression. When doing so, one must take care not to wrap the injured region so tight that the bandage reduces circulation. If the bandage is too tight, one might experience numbness or tingling in the limb, pain, swelling below the bandage or coolness. (Watch a video introduction to applying compression taping.) For some injuries, a compression sleeve is a simple alternative.

Elevation

Elevation involves taking advantage of gravity as part of the RICE acronym injury treatment. Keeping the injured area above the heart can reduce swelling by allowing extra fluid to drain. When sitting down or icing the injured area, one should elevate the injured area on pillows.

Another important time when it is relatively practical to elevate the swollen limb is at night while one is sleeping. There are splints designed for such uses at night, such as the dorsal night splint for treating plantar fasciitis and other ankle conditions.

Rest, Ice, Elevation, Compression and …

Another add-on, if you will, to the rest, ice compression, elevation (RICE) steps is the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve). As implied by the name of this drug category, they are helpful with reducing swelling and pain.

Rest, ice, compression and elevation are a good first start, but the steps of the RICE first aid acronym are not always enough to treat an injury. Therefore, if following these steps for several days does not cause the symptoms to improve, one should enlist the help of a medical professional.

Trigger Finger Surgery

April 25th, 2013
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Trigger finger release surgery is usually only pursued after more conservative and less expensive methods such as splinting the trigger finger or a trigger thumb splint, resting  and icing the finger, engaging in trigger finger exercises, taking anti-inflammatory medications or getting a steroid injection in the affected finger have failed to bring trigger finger relief.
An estimated 85% of instances of trigger finger can be treated without surgery, though the odds of this go down if the condition goes untreated for six months or more.

But on the flip side, both types of surgery for trigger finger are relatively simple procedures that can usually be done on an outpatient basis.

Trigger Finger Surgery

Trigger Finger Surgery

Surgery: Trigger Finger and Trigger Thumb

There are two main types of trigger finger/thumb surgery:

  1. Open surgery
  2. Percutaneous surgery

Both of these procedures involve the doctor “releasing,” or splitting the A1 pulley through which the tendon is having trouble passing. The difference between these trigger finger surgeries is how the doctor goes about doing so.

With open surgery, the doctor will usually use local or regional anesthesia to deaden the hand or arm (general anesthesia is sometimes used, though this raises the cost of trigger finger surgery). Then he or she will make an incision to open up the hand to cut the restrictive tendon sheath. Then the surgeon will close the wound with stitches and will cover the area with a bandage. Watch an open trigger finger surgery video.

For percutaneous trigger finger release surgery, the doctor will use a needle to cut the tendon sheath. Only a local anesthetic is usually needed and in some cases this procedure can be done in the doctor’s office, avoiding the extra trigger finger surgery cost of a hospital visit and surgery room, not to mention an anesthesia fee. Watch a video of percutaneous trigger finger release.

Trigger Finger Surgery Complications

The downside of this less invasive percutaneous procedure is that the surgeon does not have a view of the pulley he or she is cutting; thus, this may raise the risk of trigger finger surgery complications such as digital nerve damage from a cut made in error. However, studies of percutaneous trigger finger release surgery have yielded as high as 100% success rates.

trigger finger surgery pictures

Trigger Finger Surgery

Besides the aforementioned chance of nerve damage, which can cause permanent loss of sensation in an area of the hand, other possible complications with trigger finger after surgery include bowstringing of the tendon if part of the A2 pulley is also released or infection. Post trigger finger surgery side effects might also include continued pain, stiffness and the loss of full range of motion of the digit.

On a related note, trigger finger after carpal tunnel surgery due to the related swelling in the hand is possible, though this is not the norm.

Trigger Finger Surgery Recovery

Movement of the finger is possible and even recommended very soon after trigger finger surgery, though one must be careful as to what type of movement one does during recovery from trigger finger surgery. One should do trigger finger exercises after surgery with a focus on improving the range of motion of the finger rather than speed. One should also avoid forceful, repetitious motions of the finger.

One can engage in light daily activities, lifting, typing, writing, etc. in the first week following surgery so long as this is done in moderate doses. One should always pay attention to any pain or swelling after trigger finger surgery and stop doing any actions that increase these side effects. Keeping the hand above the waist as much as possible can also be helpful toward minimizing swelling after surgery.

Driving should not be a problem after trigger finger or thumb surgery and over the counter medications should be effective in reducing any pain. Get more trigger finger post surgery information here.

Trigger Finger Surgery Recovery Time

Trigger finger surgery recovery time varies by individual, but for open surgery it usually takes four to six weeks to get back to unrestricted motion, while those who have had percutaneous trigger finger release will have a shorter recovery time as there will be no wound in the palm to heal.

Whether one will need to take time off work to allow for trigger finger release surgery recovery time depends upon the nature of the individual’s job. If one’s field involves extensive manual labor, that individual may need to take three weeks off of work. On the other hand, someone with a desk job that requires just light manual labor may not need to take any time off to allow for recovery time for trigger finger surgery. Visit our Orthopedic Library to learn more about Trigger Finger as well as alternative treatment options.

 

What Causes Trigger Finger?

April 24th, 2013
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The painful clicking, catching and, in some cases, sticking of the finger in the bent position associated with trigger finger or trigger thumb can, at its most basic level, be chalked up to trying to squeeze something through a passageway for which it is a bit too small.

Thankfully this condition does not have to be a permanent annoyance or debilitating condition. Check out the wide selection of trigger finger and trigger thumb splints at BraceAbility for trigger finger pain relief.

What Causes Trigger Finger

What Causes Trigger Finger

Trigger Finger Causes: Anatomically Speaking

The tendons that connect the muscles to the bones of the fingers, enabling them to move, pass through a series of tunnels along the finger known as tendon sheaths or pulleys. In a “normal” thumb, the tendon is able to glide through these passageways smoothly thanks to a slick lining on the inner part of the sheath.

But sometimes, certain activities irritate the tendon sheath located at the base of the finger or thumb, causing inflammation that thickens and thus narrows the passageway.

Most people bend their fingers a lot in a day and will continue to do so despite any minor irritation, forcing the tendon through the tunnel. As you might imagine, this friction irritates the tendon, causing additional inflammation. Over time, this compounding effect can result in a scarring and thickening of the base of the tendon and, ultimately, the formation of a nodule.

In some cases the nodule is too large to squeeze all the way through the tunnel, which causes the finger to get locked in a bent position. The cause of trigger finger in this sense is a bit confusing because while it is the upper part of the finger or thumb that is stuck, the problematic area is actually at the base of the finger.

What Causes Trigger Thumb in Children?

There is some evidence to indicate that trigger thumb causes in children are congenital, meaning the incompatible sizes and/or tendon nodules are present from birth and are thus not linked to any causal activity.

Movements that Cause Trigger Finger

Movements that Cause Trigger Finger

That is generally not the case for adults, though the exact culprit in adults is not well understood either.

Causes of Trigger Finger: Externally Speaking

There is thought to be a link between repeated gripping of an object for extended periods of time and trigger digit. For instance, trigger finger and trigger thumb are relatively common among construction workers who grip vibrating tools on a regular basis.

Repetitive, forceful use of the hands is also considered one of the possible causes of trigger finger. This condition is somewhat common with those who play instruments, for example.

In rare cases, what causes a trigger finger is trauma to the top of the palm/base of the finger or thumb.

In other instances, causes of trigger thumb or finger is some other underlying medical condition that causes inflammation in the joints. Some possibilities include rheumatoid arthritis, gout, hypothyroidism or diabetes. Some types of infection (tuberculosis, for instance) are also seen as causes of trigger thumb or finger.

While not necessarily a trigger finger cause, this condition is more common among women than men. It is also most prevalent with those between the ages of 40 and 60.

Learn more about trigger finger and trigger thumb as well as treatment options for these conditions.

The Bauerfeind EpiPoint Tennis Elbow Strap

April 11th, 2013
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Bauerfeind EpiPoint Tennis Elbow Strap

Bauerfeind EpiPoint Tennis Elbow Strap

Not surprisingly, the frequent swings of the forearm during tennis can lead to painful inflammation of the tendon of the elbow that connects the forearm muscles to the outer bony area of the elbow known as the lateral epicondyle.

But diagnosis of “tennis elbow” can be misleading. According to WebMD (NF), less than 5% of tennis injuries actually stem from playing tennis. It is, however, much more common among tennis players, as it affects roughly 50% of tennis players at some point, whereas just 1% to 3% of the general population are affected.

Careers or hobbies that involve repetitive motions of the arm, elbow, wrist, hand, etc. can result in “tennis” elbow. Thus, baseball players, bowlers, carpenters, landscapers or cleaners may experience this painful tendon condition.

Thankfully for those unwilling or unable to give up such causal repetitious actions, the respected Bauerfeind line of orthotic products offers an elbow brace specifically designed to ease the pain of tennis elbow: the EpiPoint elbow strap.

EpiPoint Tennis Elbow Band Use

This EpiPoint product is an elastic, adjustable band that one wears around his or her forearm. The one-size-fits all Bauerfeind EpiPoint support is secured via a Velcro strap.

It features a nubbed pad that provides compression to key areas of the muscles of the arm, thereby easing pressure on the tendon attachments and easing tennis elbow pain. This compression also helps to promote healing in that it increases blood flow to the injured region and reduces inflammation.

This nubbed pad can be rotated for use on either arm. The EpiPoint elbow strap also has an indicator window to help one ensure he or she has it positioned correctly.

Bauerfeind EpiTrain Elbow Support

Bauerfeind EpiTrain Elbow Suppor

The Bauerfeind EpiPoint brace is also constructed with user comfort in mind. The elbow brace is made of breathable material. Plus, its low-profile design means it can easily be worn under clothing.

If you’ve already done some window shopping, you might be wondering what the difference is between the EpiPoint elbow strap and the EpiTrain elbow support.

EpiPoint vs. EpiTrain

Quite simply, the EpiPoint is designed to treat injuries to the lateral epcondylitis, or tennis elbow. The EpiTrain, on the other hand, can treat both medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) and tennis elbow.

So in sum, the EpiPoint issues more targeted compression, whereas the EpiTrain provides compression to the whole elbow joint and forearm.

View all of our Bauerfeind Braces and Supports.

 

SI Joint Pain Symptoms and Causes

April 6th, 2013
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The sacroiliac joints refer to the areas of the body where the sacrum connects to the right and left iliac bones that make up the pelvis via strong ligaments. The sacrum is the triangular-shaped lower part of the spine that is composed of five fused vertebrae. Unlike most of the spine and other joints, the SI joint is not supposed to be overly mobile, and problems can arise when they deviate from the normal range of motion.

The Sacroiliac JointsWhat Causes SI Joint Pain?

These joints are subject to high amounts of stress as they support the entire weight of the upper body when one is upright. This can wear on the protective and shock-absorbing cartilage of the joint. The resulting damage to the cartilage is often at the root of SI joint pain symptoms.

There are a number of causes of SI joint pain, with the most common being degenerative arthritis, or osteoarthritis. This occurs naturally over time as one of the many joys of growing older.

There are also some conditions that cause inflammation of the joints, such as ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

SI joints that are overly mobile or that do not move enough are also thought to be SI joint pain causes. This is the case when pregnancy brings on SI joint dysfunction symptoms. Associated hormone changes cause the connective tissues of the body to relax. While this is well and good from a child-bearing standpoint, it is not ideal for the lower back because it allows the SI joints to move more than they should.

Other causes of sacroiliac joint pain include an abnormal gait. This can stem from have differing leg lengths or pain in the knee, foot problems, hip pain, etc. Being bow-legged or knock-kneed or having some other condition such as drop foot can also increase one’s risk of developing SI joint dysfunction.

Trauma to the back can also cause troubles with the lower back both in terms of cartilage damage and inflammation and abnormal mobility of the SI joint. This includes events such as a hard fall onto one’s bottom. (Learn about other types of back problems.)

Sacroiliac Joint Pain Symptoms

As you can see, in some instances, sacroiliac joint pain is a symptom itself. But when looking at SI joint dysfunction symptoms, specifically, the primary effect of the condition is pain and stiffness in the lower back on either side of the spine where the two SI joints are located.

Sometimes, this pain radiates to the hip, groin, abdomen, testicles or the outer side of the leg, though such symptoms of SI joint pain typically remain above the knee.

All of this can make it difficult to do things such as rolling over in bed, putting on one’s shoes and stiffness when getting up after sitting or laying. The aching pain in the back may become more evident after sitting in a car for an extended period of time.

But looking on the bright side, there are a number of lumbar braces at a relatively low price that can help ease these sacroiliac joint pain symptoms so that you can get on with your life. Some, such as the Bauerfeind SacroLoc SI Belt, can even speed up the healing process, especially if one engages in sacroiliac joint pain exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back as well.

View all of BraceAbility’s Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction Treatments and SI belts.

Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Achilles Tendon Support

April 5th, 2013
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Bauerfeind’s AchilloTrain line of braces are unique in that they are one of the few ankle supports on the market specifically designed to treat injuries or disorders of the Achilles tendon. Thus, the line embraces it in its name.

Bauerfeind Achillotrain Achilles Tendon Support

Bauerfeind Achillotrain Achilles Tendon Support

 

The other component of the name, “train” speaks to the fact AchilloTrain braces are is designed to be compatible with an active lifestyle and sports use. Indeed, the Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Pro Ankle Support is an optimal ankle brace for running as well as other sports.

The Bauerfeind AchilloTrain braces are ideal for treating the following conditions:

 

AchilloTrain Brace Eases Pain & Speeds Healing

The Bauerfeind AchilloTrain Achilles Tendon Support is a knitted ankle brace that includes a silicone insert that is positioned against the Achilles tendon to keep it free of pressure and provide compression at intermittent intervals to reduce any swelling or fluid buildup that is common with the aforementioned conditions.

This AchilloTrain brace also includes a viscoelastic wedge for the heel. The lift it provides to the heel also helps to ease strain on the Achilles tendon. (The support comes with a wedge for the unaffected foot to keep one’s legs at uniform heights.) These wedges also function as shock absorbers, helping to ease pain and strain.

The Bauerfeind AchilloTrain brace is designed to keep the foot in a slight plantar flexion, promoting healing and easing pain.

Achillotrain Pro Achilles Tendon Support

Achillotrain Pro Achilles Tendon Support

AchilloTrain Pro an Optimal Athletic Brace

This AchilloTrain brace is designed with a physically active lifestyle in mind, both in terms of function and healing. Its high-reaching silicone pad insert that runs along the Achilles tendon has silicone dots that massage the tendon and provide compression to improve muscle control of the tendon in addition to reducing swelling and fluid buildup.

Because the insert extends high on the ankle, it helps stimulate the top of the tendon as well as the transition area between the muscle and the tendon and the nerve endings that lie in this region. As noted, this improves muscle control and helps to speed healing of the Achilles tendon.

The material and structure of this AchilloTrain brace material provides support without restricting movement. At the front of the brace is a “stretch zone” that is helpful to that end. This makes both Achillotrain ankle supports great ankle braces for running

Both of these Bauerfeind ankle braces are made of a knitted material that is:

  • breathable
  • lightweight
  • non-heat retaining
  • non-restrictive of motion
  • machine-washable

Learn more about the Bauerfeind brand and its product lines here. And don’t forge to check out the rest of BraceAbility’s braces and splints for achilles tendonitis

Chondromalacia Patella Exercises

April 4th, 2013
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Chondromalacia patella is a condition where the cartilage covering the patella softens or wears down. This irregular cartilage increases friction as the patella slides against the trochlear groove of the femur. This, in turn, can cause inflammation and knee pain in the front side of the knee, behind the knee cap. This pain will typically become more intense when doing activities that increase the amount of force on the knee joint, such as climbing or descending stairs, running, squatting or kneeling.

The cartilage damage itself is thought to be associated with overuse (especially repetitive stress as one might experience running or playing basketball), a lack of control of the muscles in the hip and knee regions that cause a maltracking patella or trauma to the knee cap, such as a fracture or dislocated patella.

This condition can usually be treated without surgery by getting swelling under control via the steps of RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) along with taking an anti-inflammatory medication and possibly use of a chondromalacia knee brace. But this does not address the underlying problem.

Chondromalacia patella physical therapy exercises will be needed to improve the strength and flexibility of the leg and hip muscles that are instrumental in making sure the patella is tracking as it should—regardless of whether one has surgery.

Warnings About Chondromalacia Patella Treatment Exercises

You should not attempt to self-diagnose and treat chondromalacia. There are other injuries with similar symptoms; engaging in exercises for chondromalacia not suited for an injury can cause further damage.

Also, one should not begin these chondromalacia exercises until the pain and inflammation of the knee has gone away. Again, pushing the boundaries on this can cause further damage and extend the overall recovery time.

Warming up and stretching is also an important component of chondromalacia rehab exercises. Always stretch before engaging in any chondromalacia strengthening exercises to make sure straining tight muscles does not cause additional damage to the knee. Chondromalacia stretches are also important for returning flexibility to the knee.

There are also some exercises that put high amounts of pressure on the knee that should be avoided, such as:

  • Lunges
  • Squats
  • Leg extension machine

Strength Exercises for Chondromalacia Patella

Generally speaking, chondromalacia treatment exercises seek to strengthen the muscles of the legs and hips without increasing the amount of pressure between the knee cap and the groove of the thigh bone. Following are a few of the more common chondromalacia patella strengthening exercises.

 

Straight Leg Lift

Straight Leg Lift

Straight Leg Lift: Lie down with one leg bent at a 90-degree angle with the foot flat on the floor and the other leg fully extended with the quadriceps muscles tight. Raise the straight leg to a 45-degree angle and hold for a second or two before slowly lowering the leg. Repeat. Work up to repetitions of 20 lifts per leg for two or three sets.

 

Hip Exercises for Chondromalacia

Hip Exercises for Chondromalacia

 

Hip External Rotation: Lie on your side with the knees stacked and bent at 90-degree angles and the hips flexed at an angle of about 60-degrees. Keeping your heels stacked and the pelvis anchored and perpendicular to the ground, lift your top knee, hold for a second or two then lower it. Repeat this chondromalacia patella exercise 10 to 15 times per side for two or three sets.

Wall Slide

Wall Slide

 

Wall Slide: Begin by standing with the heels about 6 inches away from a wall and the feet about a foot apart. The back and butt should be pressed against the wall. Slowly slide the back and hips down the wall until the knees are bent at roughly a 45-degree angle. Hold that position for about five seconds, and then slowly slide back up to the starting position. Repeat this motion 10 to 15 times for two to three sets. It is important not to bend too quickly or too deeply as this can irritate the knee.

A variation of this chondromalacia exercise would be to repeat these steps away from a wall, holding on to a stick or broom for stability as one lowers the hips.

 

Dead Lift

Dead Lift

 

Dead Lift: A deadlift can also be an effective exercise for chondromalacia patella, but only if you exercise proper form. To get started, stand with the balls of the feet under the barbell with the feet shoulder-width apart. Bend the knees while keeping the back straight as if you were sitting down into a chair. Grab the bar with the hands on the outside of the legs so that they are a little more than shoulder-width apart and the shoulders are over the bar.

While looking straight ahead, straighten the back and lift the bar by raising the hips and shoulders at the same speed. It is important to keep the abdominal muscles engaged during the lift and to keep the bar vertical and near the body. After reaching the upright position with the shoulders pulled back, one can then lower the bar slowly back to the starting position. Repeat three to six times for three to seven sets. For a visual illustration, check out this video explaining how to deadlift:

When starting out with these, you can use an elevated rack to minimize the angle of the knees and thus the amount of pressure on the knee cap.

 

Chondromalacia Lifting Exercises

Chondromalacia Lifting Exercises

 

You can also use a hamstring curl machine or leg press machine for patella chondromalacia exercises with the caveat being that when doing leg presses, you must be careful to not let the knees bend farther than 90 degrees.

Active Patellar Chondromalacia Exercises

There are also some cardiovascular chondromalacia patellae exercises that, like the strengthening knee exercises for chondromalacia patella, place relatively low amounts of stress on the knee. Some of the “safest” exercises for chondromalacia patellae include:

  • Swimming (with the flutterkick)
  • Walking (avoid hills)
  • Cross-country skiing

Some also incorporate riding a stationary bike into chondromalacia rehab, though this requires a high placement of the seat and low resistance settings to minimize stress on the knee. There are also some chondromalacia knee braces that help limit stress on the knee without restricting mobility.

Generally speaking, you should avoid sports involving running or jumping when recovering from a chondromalacia knee injury as these place high amounts of stress on the knees.

View our related posts on this topic:

Corflex Hinged Knee Braces

Types of Knee Pain: Anterior, Posterior, Medial & Lateral Knee Pain

Knee Injuries & Pain from Running

Knee Joint Pain – Causes & Treatments

 

Knee Cap Pain

April 3rd, 2013
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Knee cap pain is a relatively common occurrence among both athletes and non-athletes. Among the latter group it is so common that the term “runners’ knee” is used synonymously for the generic medical term for pain in the knee cap—patellofemoral pain. This condition is not well understood, but the term is generally used to refer to a wide number of conditions that can cause knee discomfort around, under, behind or pain below the knee cap, often in association with running or other repetitive actions. View our website for more Knee Injuries and Treatments.

Generally speaking, pain in the knee cap stems from irritation of the tissues around the knee cap, such as tendons, cartilage, ligaments, bones, etc. Considering the amount of stress, impact and the repetitive motions that athletes subject their knees to, it is not surprising that this can result in pain in knee cap. Learn more about types of knee pain in our Resource Library.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome typically comes on gradually due to overdoing it with one’s activity level, stressing the tissues of the knee and leg. But it can come on suddenly due to a specific event, such as starting a new workout program or competing in a triathlon.

This knee cap pain is typically characterized as a dull ache around the patella, but a burning sensation or sharp pain in knee cap sometimes occurs. Activities such as mounting or descending stairs, squatting or sitting with the knee bent for an extended period (the “theatre sign”) will typically acerbate the pain. Runners’ knee may also come along with a click, pop or crackle sound or sensation in the knee with activity (though a small amount of this is normal).

Causes of Pain on Knee Cap

Mechanically speaking, the following abnormalities of the knee joint are some of the common culprits of knee pain on top of the kneecap or under knee cap pain:

  • Misaligned knee cap
  • Dislocated knee cap (full or partial)
  • Worn cartilage

Women are more susceptible to a number of these conditions due to their smaller knee caps that are more likely to track abnormally as well as the greater angle at which the bones in the knee joint meet due to the female’s wider pelvis.

What causes these problematic issues with the knee? A few common culprits include:

  • Overuse/strain
  • Flat feet (excessive pronation)
  • Bow-legged or knock-kneed stance
  • Weak or imbalanced thigh muscles
  • Tight muscles, ligaments or tendons
  • Trauma

This anterior knee pain can usually be further broken down into some more specific conditions, such as chondromalacia patellae or patellofemoral malignment, to name a few.

Pain Below Knee Cap & Pain Above Knee Cap

Chondromalacia patella refers to the deterioration of the cartilage of the knee cap. This cartilage begins to naturally erode around the age of 15, but certain sports and injuries can damage this earlier in life. This condition is most common among young adults and adolescents. Without this cushion, the joint lining and bones of the knee joint can become irritated, causing knee pain under the kneecap.

The typical mode of treatment for chondromalacia is strength exercises and stretches for the quadriceps possibly along with taping or knee braces for added support and improved knee cap alignment. The DeRoyal Chondromalacia Patella Trimmable Buttress, as implied by the name, is designed with this condition specifically in mind.

Ice and over-the-the-counter medications can also be helpful for relieving inflammation and pain. Switching to a sport that puts less stress on the knees may also be suggested. View all of BraceAbility’s knee pain treatment options.

The source of Chondromalacia or Patellofemoral Pain

Chondromalacia (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)

Patellofemoral malalignment is another condition that causes pain above knee cap, pain below the knee cap, pain under the knee cap—you get the picture; pain in the knee cap area. This often stems from unbalanced forces acting on the knee joint, with the result being a patella that is not centered within the trochlear groove. Or this groove might be too shallow or the patella abnormally shaped.

Whatever the cause, the abnormal gliding and friction that result causes the aforementioned knee cap pain as well as instability of the knee.

Patellofemoral malalignment treatment typically focuses on treating the underlying cause via bracing, stretches, strength training, foot orthotic use, etc. The Bauerfeind GenuTrain P3 Patella Knee Support can help one get back to an active lifestyle as it eases pain, provides stability and promotes healing. This brace is ideal for athletic use.

Surgery is another line of defense, though it is certainly not a physicians’ first choice.

Corflex Hinged Knee Braces

March 28th, 2013
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A hinged knee brace is perfect for most knee ligament strains. The knee is one of the largest and most used joints in the body, putting a lot of stress and wear on the ligaments and muscles. A knee wrap with lateral or medial stays is great for any instability that has appeared in the knee, whether it’s general or resulting from a prior injury. An anterior knee injury is focused on the front and middle of the knee, a common area for many knee ligament injuries.

Corflex Hinged Knee Sleeve

Corflex Hinged Knee Sleeve

With a lightweight hinged brace like the Corflex Hinged Knee Sleeve, the material that makes up the knee sleeve above the knee and the knee wrap below the knee is lightweight for the best mobility. Corflex designed this knee stay for patients who need the best knee stability and who are on the move. The lightweight material is complimented by durable knee hinges that keep knee flexion and knee extension from causing further knee problems.

The Corflex Anterior Closure Knee Wrap with Hinge

This Corflex wrap around hinged knee brace utilizes many of the same qualities but is available in a thicker 3/16″ neoprene material. This thicker, more durable version was built to accommodate patients who want a little extra protection from knee injuries. This knee wrap still allows breathing room and the ability to be more mobile, but has added padding for comfort.

Features of the Corflex Hinged Neoprene Knee Braces:

  • - Utilizes a knee wrap around design with straps for easy application and removal.
  • - The heavy-duty knee hinges provide support for medial and lateral knee instability.
  • - A neoprene knee brace designed latex-free for customer usability and support.
  • - There is a knee strap both above and below the knee joint for an adjustable compression and support.
  • - Ideal for medial knee instability and lateral knee instability—these injuries may have occurred from inward or outward turning of the knee, common in athletics.
  • - The knee muscles and knee ligaments, especially in the front and middle of the knee, are common areas for injuries and are important to patient’s mobility. This knee support is ideal for compression and stabilization of these symptoms.
  • - Osteoarthritis—degenerative joint disease—or a wearing down of the cartilage in the knee joint is also comforted and allowed to recover properly.
Corflex Neoprene Hinged Knee Brace

Corflex Neoprene Hinged Knee Brace

Hinged Knee Braces for the Best Knee Injury Support

  • - Ideal for ligament instability in the knee resulting from knee injury or otherwise.
  • - It is common for the knee muscles to be weakened and instable after a knee injury. Both Corflex hinged knee sleeves is great for muscle comfort and stabilization through the recovery process.
  • - Any direct wear and tear to the knee joint caused by degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis is protected and stabilized to recover properly.

All Corlfex hinged neoprene knee braces brace were designed to be mobile and comfortable while maintaining the stability seen in bulkier, more expensive hinged knee braces. Corflex knee wraps incorporate heavy-duty knee hinges for the best medial knee support and lateral knee support. Medial and lateral knee instability typically results from inward and outward turning of the knee and is common in sports such as football and hockey. These hinged knee sleeve from Corflex stabilize knee flexion and knee extension, as well as side-to-side movements without complete immobilization.

BraceAbility offers a wide selection of hinged knee braces.

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