Anatomy of the knee
The knee joint is a hinged joint in which the only movement allowed is the flexion-extension on the essay plane at 135 ° in flexion and 0 ° in extension and is very complex both from an anatomical and functional point of view because it must be stable but at the same time allow considerable mobility to the limb. It is formed by bones, ligaments and menisci that form different anatomical and functional compartments.
The bones are 3: the femur, the tibia and the patella that from the functional point of view forming two articular complexes, patellofemoral and fomoro-tibial. While the femur and tibia are in fact the levers that realize the joint movement, the patella has mostly functions of centralization of forces, protection and facilitation of the extension movement.The menisci are fibro-cartilage pads inserted between the two bones. The external meniscus gives mobility to the knee while the medial meniscus makes the joint more stable.
The menisci also perform shock absorption functions, transmission of body weight over the entire area of the tibial plate, homogeneously spread the synovial fluid, improve the joint between the tibia and fibula and limit its rotation.
The anterior cruciate ligament has the role of maintaining the stability of the joint, limits internal rotation and hyperextension; also during flexion reduces the forward movement of the tibia. It is considered a "fragile" ligament because it is subject to frequent injuries.
The posterior cruciate ligament is crucial in controlling rotation and during extension reduces the posterior displacement of the tibia.
Externally to the knee there are then two ligaments: lateral collateral and medial collateral. The collaterals are important because they block the lateral tilt movements of the tibia on the knee. The ends of the two ligaments reach maximum tension at extended knee while with the flexion joint the tension is reduced.
Lesions
In athletes and young people, traumatic injuries of the menisci and cruciate ligaments, most frequently the anterior one, may occur.
Meniscus injuries are very frequent and occur due to knee sprain trauma or chronic meniscus wear and people who use their knees a lot as sportsmen are more at risk, especially those who practice motocross and enduro.
Joint instability is defined by a failure of the joint during loading
and can be caused by degeneration of collateral ligaments and wear of
femoral or tibial bone.
Most anterior cruciate ligament ruptures occur without contact between the knee and another object but as a result of excessive loads and twists.
These movements are common for all agility sports and extremely frequent in off-road motorcycle practice.
In many cases, when the ligament ruptures, the pilot feels the knee with a resounding "crack", the injury is often associated with pain that can be moderate or very intense reducing or even stopping sports activity.
fonte : su Endurista Dott. Carlo Rivellini
Orthopedic braces
Due to the characteristics of the off-road discipline, the percentage of knee injuries is unfortunately particularly high.
Orthopedic braces are designed to significantly limit the movement of the knee in hyperextension and rotation and their use is able to reduce the rate of ligament injury by up to 50%; They are also able to control the anterior translation of the tibia by reducing the amount of forces that go to load on the anterior cruciate ligament.
Knee-braces are widely used not only to prevent a possible injury during sports but also during the rehabilitation of a knee already operated.
The use of a joint brace not only protects the anterior cruciate ligament but also prevents the rupture of the lateral one.
A study performed on athletes has shown that the use of the knee brace reduces by 50% the cutting force on the ligaments both in load (standing subject) and without load (sitting subject) greatly limiting the risk of injury.
The best braces on the market base their action on multiple strengths by limiting the forward sliding of the tibia and the hyperextension of the knee slowing it down in the last stages of movement and blocking it before 0°.
Many knee-braces on the market have the possibility of adjustment in order to choose the blocking angle limiting the dangerous hyperextension of the knee and also its torsion.
Companies such as Alpinestars, Ufo, EVS, POD, offer high quality products on the market and a high level of protection.
Investing in prevention is therefore crucial.
The best knee braces available now from Motostorm.
