Re: Kyrie Irving Part 2 (Waiting on MRI Results)
Numerous studies have been performed that show the history of, “I heard it pop. I had swelling and pain,” is the story of an important injury in that the knee and is best treated with a careful physical exam followed by treatment of the damaged tissue.
Just a little anatomy refresher.
Pain Free Popping
If knee popping occurs without any associated pain, it is usually due to either gas bubbles building up inside the joint and bursting, or ligaments/tendons snapping over the joint:
1) Gas Bubbles
Changes in joint pressure can cause tiny bubbles of gas to slowly form in joints. When these gas bubbles burst quickly, they make a popping sound, in a similar way to when you pop bubble-wrap. The technical term for this is cavitation. There is no harm in this and the myth that it makes you prone to arthritis is unfounded.
2) Ligaments/Tendons
Ligaments and tendons are soft tissues that are positioned around all the joints in our body. Sometimes, when you move a joint (eg your knee), a ligament or tendon may stretch slightly as it goes over a small bony lump around the joint and then snaps back into place making a popping sound.
These would be nice but there was definately visible pain going on when it happened
Knee Popping with an Injury
If there is a loud "pop" at the time of injury it usually indicates a ligament injury. The 2 most common ligaments that produce knee pain and popping when they are injured are the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) and the MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament).
1) ACL Injury
What is It? The ACL at the centre of the knee gets over-stretched and tears
How Does It Happen? Blow to the side of the knee, sudden twisting or deceleration, leg bending backwards too far
Symptoms? Approximately 50% of ACL tears are accompanied by a popping sound associated with immediate swelling and pain. The other classic sign of an ACL tear is the knee giving way.
Treatment? Visit the
ACL Injuries section
2) MCL Injury
What is It? The Medial Collateral Ligament on the inner side of the knee gets over-stretch and tears
How Does it Happen? Force through the outside of the knee eg tackle, or sudden twisting eg skiing
Symptoms? Inner knee pain, popping/tearing sensation, swelling, instability, difficulty bending the leg
Treatment? Visit the
MCL Injury section
Recurrent Painful Popping
Sometimes knee pain and popping develops over time, without any obvious injury. The popping tends to happen frequently and is usually due to one of these conditions:
1) Cartilage/Meniscus Tear
What is It? A tear in the meniscus – special cartilage that lines the joint.
What Causes the Noises? When the meniscus tears, small fragments of it can catch in the knee as it moves which results in the popping noise.
Frequency? Knee pain and popping tends to come and go, rather than happening all the time as the torn fragment moves around the joint.
Treatment? Visit the
Meniscus Tear section
2) Arthritis
What is It? Wear and tear of the cartilage.
What Causes the Noises? As the cartilage thins, the joint surface becomes rough and friction occurs between the bones resulting in crepitus.
Who Does it Affect? It is most commonly seen in people over the age of 50 and develops gradually over time.
Frequency? Crepitus associated with arthritis tends to be persistent rather than coming and going.
Treatment? Visit the
Arthritis section
3) Chondromalacia Patella
What is It? Irritation and inflammation of the cartilage lining the back of the patella.
What Causes the Noises? Friction between the back of the kneecap and the underlying femur (thigh bone) can cause knee pain and popping.
Who Does it Affect? Healthy, often sporty adolescents and young adults. More common in women
Frequency? Tends to be a more constant problem. The crepitus can usually be felt as well as heard when you put your hand over the front of the knee and bend and straighten it.
Treatment? Visit the
Chondromalacia Patella section
4) Runners Knee
What is It? A problem in how the kneecap moves which causes an ill-defined ache around the knee.
What Causes the Noises? The patella rubs against the femur which is often associated with a grinding sensation when the knee moves.
Who Does it Affect? It is usually worse with prolonged activity eg running, coming downstairs or after prolonged inactivity eg office workers.
Frequency? Tends to come and go
Treatment? Visit the
Runners Knee section
Im leaning towards MCL. even though there wasnt much contact he was stretching his knee at the time it poppoed (going up for a layup) and he was able to return briefly.
and im going with Stage 2 tear due to Irving saying "it didnt feel right" when he went back out.
[h=3]Grade 2 Tear[/h]
1) What is it: Many fibres are damaged but the ligament is still intact
2) Symptoms: There may be medial knee pain with a moderate amount of swelling and bruising (which appear in the first 48 hours), and the knee may feel slightly unstable
3) Treatment: PRICE first. May also benefit from
tubigrip or a
hinged knee brace in the short term if the knee is giving way to help provide stability and prevent further injury. Ultrasound treatment and deep tissue friction massage can also help reduce pain and speed up healing. This is usually carried out by a physical therapist or sports therapist
4) Recovery: Symptoms normally settle down within 4-6 weeks
