Meniscal Tears Acute or chronic. Imaged with MRI (95% sensitivity & 81% specificity)Menisci are formed by a composition of radial and circumferential collagen fibers (97% type 1) mixed with cartilage, proteoglycans, etc. 65-75% H2OAging can lead to meniscal attritionAcute tears are d/t rotational and compressive forces, ACL deficient knees show greater chances of meniscal tearsPosterior horn of medial meniscus is m/c torn except in acute ACL tears when the lateral meniscus is m/c tornThe meniscus is well vascularized in children. In adults, 3-zones exist: inner, middle and outer (above bottom image)Injury of the inner zone has no chance of healingInjury of the outer zone (25% in total) has some healing/repair Clinical PresentationPain, locking, swellingMost sensitive physical sign: pain on palpation at the joint lineTests: McMurry, Thessaly, Apply compression in proneManagement: conservative vs. operative depends on location, stability, patient's age, and DJD and the type of t…

The knee is a made up of a variety of complex soft tissues. Enclosing the knee joint is a fold at its membrane known as the plica. The knee is encapsulated by a fluid-filled structure called the synovial membrane. Three of these capsules, known as the synovial plicae, develop around the knee joint throughout the fetal stage and are absorbed before birth.

However, during one research study in 2006, researchers found that 95 percent of patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery had remnants of their synovial plicae. Knee plica syndrome occurs when the plica becomes inflamed, generally due to sports injuries. This often takes place in the center of the kneecap, known as medial patellar plica syndrome.
What are the Symptoms of Knee Plica Syndrome? The most common symptom of knee plica syndrome is knee pain, although a variety of health issues can also cause these symptoms. Knee pain associated with knee plica syndrome is generally: achy, instead of sharp or shooting; and worse when using s…

Many people think of joints, bones, and the skeletal system when they think of chiropractic, but in fact, the muscles also play an integral part in supporting the body. The muscles are layers and interwoven work to move and stabilize the spine, facilitate the movement of the body’s joints, and aid in respiration. When there is pain within this system, chiropractic can be a very effective treatment. More patients are turning to chiropractic care to treat a variety of painful conditions because it does not use addictive pharmaceuticals with unpleasant side effects; it is completely natural. Chiropractic can also keep patients from requiring surgery in many cases. So when it comes to myofascial pain and trigger points, this form of treatment is often considered optimal.
What is Myofascial Pain? In simple terms, myofascial pain is simply pain in the muscles. When you break down the word, “myo” means muscle and “fascia” refers to the connective tissue that are interwoven throughout the bo…

Chondromalacia patellae, also referred to as runner's knee, is a health issue in which the cartilage beneath the patella, or kneecap, becomes soft and ultimately degenerates. This problem is prevalent among young athletes, however, it may also develop in older adults who suffer from arthritis of the knee.

Sports injuries like chondromalacia patellae are frequently regarded as an overuse injury. Taking some time off from participating in physical activities and exercise may produce superior outcomes. In the instance that the individual's health issues are due to improper knee alignment, rest may not offer pain relief. Symptoms of runner's knee include knee pain and grinding sensations.
What Causes Chondromalacia Patellae? The kneecap, or the patella, is generally found through the front of the knee joint. If you bend your knee, the rear end of your kneecap slips over the cartilage of your femur, or thigh bone, at the knee. Complex soft tissues, such as tendons and ligament…

Tibial Plateau FracturesImpaction type fractures predominateResult from valgus or varus stress with or w/o axial loadingAssociated with periarticular soft tissues injuryHigh-stress injury m/c due to jumps falls and axial loading, often with the splitting of the tibial plateau. Men>women. Patients are in their 30sLow impact or no trauma in patients with osteoporosis d/t insufficiency fracturesImpaction injury is more common with depression of tibial plateau. Women>men. Patients are in their 70s Lateral Tibial Plateau Fractures More CommonFunctional anatomy plays a significant role60% of weight bearing is by the medial plateauThe medial plateau is more concaveThe lateral plateau is slightly higher and more convex. Valgus stress impacts lateral plateau.Tibial plateau fractures considered intra-articular and prone to delayed healing, non-union, meniscal injury (m/c lateral) ACL tear, secondary OA. Other complications: compartment syndrome, vascular injury.Management: operative in m…

Have you ever had a pain in the neck? And your kids or significant other don’t count. If you’ve ever had a stiff, sore neck then you’ve more than likely experienced cervicalgia. You’re not alone. The American Osteopathic Association estimates that more than 25% of Americans have experienced or chronically experience neck pain. In fact, neck pain is one of the primary causes of chronic pain, ranking number three behind knee pain (number two) and back pain (number one). Chronic pain affects around 65% of people in the United States, ranging in age from 18 to 34. They either have experienced it firsthand or care for someone who has recently experienced it. That number increases as the population ages.

It is also worth noting that most doctors prescribe pain medications but more than 33% of patients with chronic pain won’t take them because they are afraid of becoming addicted.
What is Cervicalgia? Cervicalgia is a blanket term used to describe neck pain. It can range from a simple “cric…

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a common cause of knee pain in growing adolescents. It is characterized by the inflammation of the site below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap, or the patellar tendon, attaches to the shinbone, or tibia. Osgood-Schlatter disease occurs during growth spurts when muscles, bones, tendons, and other tissues shift rapidly.

Physical activities can place additional stress on the bones, muscles, tendons and other complex structures of young athletes. Children and adolescents who participate in running and jumping sports have a higher chance of developing this condition. However, less active children and adolescents may also experience this well-known health issue.

In the majority of instances, Osgood-Schlatter disease will resolve on its own and the pain can be managed with over-the-counter drugs and/or medications. Stretches and exercises can also help improve strength, flexibility and mobility. Alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, c…

You may have seen professional athletes, dancers, gymnasts, and others who engage in extremely physical activities using a type of tape on various points of their bodies. It is sometimes colored and does not seem to inhibit range of motion. While it looks like tape or maybe a very fancy bandage, it is actually a highly technical, specialized tape that is used to treat patients of all ages and activity levels. It is called Kinesio tape, and it is often used by chiropractors to help address specific injuries.
What is Kinesio Tape? Also called Kinesio Tex Tape, Kinesio Tape is a special adhesive tape that has elastic properties. It was developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase, a chiropractor, and acupuncturist, in 1979. It is safe for all ages including pediatric and geriatric patients. The tape is comprised of a 100% cotton fiber strip with medical grade acrylic adhesive. It is soft and gentle, but it works.

The tape is hypoallergenic and latex free, so it is appropriate for a vast audience. It is …

Robert "Bobby" Gomez first visited Dr. Alex Jimenez, doctor of chiropractic, after experiencing back pain due to a pelvic tilt on his hips. Born with cerebral palsy, Bobby always felt underestimated by his peers due to his condition. Thanks to chiropractic care, Robert Gomez received the support he needed to strengthen his body as well as to improve his flexibility and mobility. Bobby describes how he received more help than he expected with Dr. Alex Jimenez.
Cerebral Palsy & Chiropractic Care
Cerebral palsy is a disorder of motion, muscular tone or posture that's brought on by brain damage that happens before birth. The impact on functional abilities with cerebral palsy varies. Generally, cerebral palsy causes movement problems with reflexes or rigidity of the limbs and back posture, and unsteady walking. People with cerebral palsy may suffer a reduced range of movement in different areas of their body. The disability associated with cerebral palsy may be limited pr…

Sinding-Larsen-Johansson, or SLJ, syndrome is a debilitating knee condition that most commonly affects teens during periods of rapid growth. The kneecap, or patella, is attached to the shinbone, or tibia, from the patellar tendon. The tendon connects to an expansion plate at the bottom of the kneecap throughout growth.

Repetitive stress on the patellar tendon can make the growth plate within the knee become inflamed and irritated. SLJ mainly develops in children and adolescents between the ages of 10 and 15 because that is when most people experience growth spurts. SLJ is most common in young athletes due to excess or repetitive strain in the knee.
Causes of SLJ Syndrome The large muscle group at the front of the upper leg is known as the quadriceps. When straightening the leg, the quadriceps pull to deliver the leg forward. This puts pressure on the growth plate at the bottom of the kneecap. During rapid growth, the bones and muscles don't always grow at precisely the same rate.

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