If you are an athlete, you will be placing more strain on your knees than the average individual. Then, if you suffer a knee injury, it is much more likely that you will be forced to retire early from your sport. There are three particular knee injuries that are relatively common for athletes, so you will need to know how to prevent them.

The ACL Injury

An ACL injury is common for those who play basketball, though athletes who participate in any high-impact sports are at risk. You will need to learn the proper mechanics of squatting, jumping and landing in order to perform these motions without a knee collapse. When a body becomes tired, it is more likely to place itself in a familiar movement pattern. Therefore, if you can help your body become accustomed to specific movement patterns, you will be less likely to move in such a manner that can lead to an injury.

Athletes are likely to focus on building up their quadriceps because of the belief that this will improve athletic performance. However, if the quadriceps are built up without placing focus on the glutes, you will be more likely to suffer from an ACL injury.

Patellar Tendinitis

If you participate in a sport that involves a lot of jumping, there is a chance that you will suffer from patellar tendinitis. Also, runners, skiers and cyclists are likely to suffer from this condition. If you experience pain, you might be tempted to try to push through the pain. However, this is only likely to make the condition worse. Instead, you should rest until the pain subsides somewhat. When you have recovered from the pain, you should focus on strengthening your thigh muscles so they are better able to handle the stress that you are placing on your knees.

Illiotibal Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome is a common problem suffered by long-distance runners. However, those who run in worn-out shoes and who frequently run downhill are the most likely to suffer from this condition. You should also try to avoid running on concrete surfaces. As a result, you should regularly replace your shoes and you should consider running on a level terrain or at an incline. Whenever you experience pain in your knees, you should run less frequently to give your knees time to recover. 

These are not the only knee injuries you can suffer from, but they are among some of the most common suffered by athletes. To ensure that you do not suffer from a debilitating knee injury, make sure to see an orthopaedic specialist, like those at Orthopaedic Associates Of Osceola and other locations.