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Master of Education : Master of Education
by
Larry W. Maguire
August, 1969
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APPROVED FOR THE GRADUATE FACULTY
________________________________
Everett A. Irish, COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
_________________________________
Stanley A. Sorenson
_________________________________
Dohn Miller
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The writer wishes to extend his gratitude to Dr. Everett Irish for
his advice and for serving as Chairman of the Graduate Committee. Appre
ciation is also expressed to Dr. Dohn Miller and Mr. Stanley Sorenson for
their aid and for serving on the Graduate Committee.
I am most grateful to my family for their encouragement and
patience.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter
1.
2.
3.
THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITION OF TERMS •
THE PROBLEM •
Statement of the Problem
Importance of the Study •
Limitations of the Study •
Overview of the Pa per
DEFINITION OF TERMS
REVIEW OF LITERATURE •
DEFINITION, TREATMENT, AND REHABILITATION •
DEFINITION
Contusions •
Minor Ligament Strains •
Ligament Tear •
Anterior Cruciate Integrity •
The Retropatellar Fat-Pad
Prepatellar Bursitis
TREATMENT •
REHABILITATION
Page
1
2
2
3
3
4
5
7
16
16
18
18
19
20
21
21
23
26
4.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS •
31
v
Chapter
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX •
Page
34
37
Chapter 1
THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITION OF TERMS
Knee injuries are probably the most common of all athletic injuries.
They are almost as common in football as ankle injuries and are far more
disabling. Coaches and teachers in the field of physical education and
particularly athletics are indirectly responsible for the safety of their
student participants in the program they are conducting.
Therefore , it is
imperative that educators be aware of the implications surrounding such
injuries.
Today, man enjoys football and other athletic events both as
recreation and as competitive sports. Since the year 1933, when the first
pamphlet on the prevention and care of athletic injuries was written, there
has been a great many medical discoveries and advances which have
increased the knowledge as to how to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate an
injury to the knee. Unfortunately, however, those educators working
directly in the area of athletics, are not always aware of the implications
and events leading to the possibility of injuries which occur to the athlete.
In any case, the effects of the injuries are not always recognized as being
factors to take into consideration when planning and implementing the
athletic program. While the knee injury to the star athlete is widely
1
2
reported by the news media, and the "football knee" is so widely recog
nized, no coach or instructor can be expected to be an expert in the
surgical treatment of such injuries. There is, however, a need for the
coach and instructor to be familiar with the problems surrounding the injury
in order that precaution can be taken, and activities eliminated which pro
vide for the safety of the student participant.
THE PROBLEM
Statement of the Problem
Coaches entering the area of football need to be aware of the
factors involved in knee injuries. Both experienced and inexperienced
coaches can benefit from research which will enable him to adequately
care for any injuries which may arise. Often coaches in athletics do not
have available to them, ready information covering this problem. There
fore, the purpose of this investigation was to provide relevant data per
taining to all facets of the knee injury as it occurs in football; the diagnosis
of the injury; prescribed treatment; qnd the actual rehabilitation of the knee.
Attention will be given to these areas in hopes that the problems accom
panying such an injury may be thoroughly examined and reached a better
understanding.
3
Importance of the Study
The value of competitive sports, especially the contact sports,
is inevitably a part of our culture and is exhibited in everyday life.
Injuries occur; therefore, the more knowledge that can be obtained, the
better the care that can be given. In the contents that follow, this infor
mation will be presented and evaluated in an effort to attain a more thorough
understanding of one small phase within the scope of athletic injuries.
An overall examination of the knee injury as it occurs in football and the
treatment involved will be of significance to those coaches who realize
the importance and the personal responsibility for being cognizant of these
problems with their players.
The writer developed this comprehensive overview of the knee
injury problem with the intent of providing a framework of knowledge for
himself as well as to other coaches and administrators who may benefit
from such material for personal use. Such available data gleaned from
the research of medical and educational authorities will be of value to the
coach or administrator who does not have the time or facilities to pursue
such an investigation.
Limitations of the Study
There was no attempt to compare or evaluate training or other
coaching methodologies relating to the incidents of knee injuries. This
research investigation was undertaken only to provide a comprehensive
4
compilation of data which could serve as a resource guide. It was not
the purpose of this study to formulate conclusions based on statistical
analysis of the significance or la sting effects of the knee injury. It was
determined that a knowledge base regarding the care and prevention was
a more worthwhile approach to the problem, rather than a mere review of
cases of knee injuries taking place during the athletic sport of football.
A further limitation to the study was the lack of literature provid
ing a comprehensive overview of all facets of the knee injury problem.
Literature on the subject was emersed in various fields of discipline as
is shown in the Bibliography of this paper.
Overview of the Paper
Chapter 2 presents the opinions of authorities in the fields of
medicine and education regarding the significance of the knee injury
problem and how such injuries affect the physical and mental well-being
of the injured person.
The review of literature pertaining to athletic injuries was
attempted in an effort to gain insight into this area of concern and also
to provide rationale for the compilation of a comprehensive guide on foot
ball knee injuries for use by the coach and athletic administrator.
Chapter 3 is the presentation of the resource material which
delineates various factors concerned in the specific knee injuries pertinent
to the football player. This research data provides a basic guide for use by
the coach and administrator.
5
Chapter 4 summarizes the research investigation and offers
recommendations for further research.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Cause of Injury
Definite origin of why damage was inflicted to a part of the body.
Contusions
Type of bruising injury in which no tearing or breaking of the skin
occurs.
Rehabilitation
To restore to the original state.
Drawer Sign
The presence of abnormal forward movement of the knee joint.
Anterior Cruciate Integrity
Proper functioning of knee joint through normal movements.
Retropatellar Fat-Pad
A pained area directly behind the knee cap due to hyperextension
or a blow to this area.
6
Knee Injury
Damage to the lower extremity of the leg caused by a blow,
striking force, or other similar pressure.
Prepatellar Bursitis
Technical term for "water on the knee," which is an excess
amount of fluid accumulated around an injured area.
Chapter 2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
A major concern of most coaches and parents of players is the
possible incidence of injury to the participant in the athletic event.
Authorities in the area of physical education point to the need for coaches
and other teaching personnel to cooperate with the family and community
in preventing the occurrence of injury on the playing field, and providing
for optimum programs in sports and athletics:
... new and imposing demands will be made on teachers and
administrators. More effective coordination with medical personnel,
the home, and public, semipublic, and private agencies will have
to be developed • . . (2 :xi-xii) .
Hirata (18:210) remarks upon the inability of the coach to assume
the task of being an expert in the surgical treatment of knee injuries, or
an expert in the reconstruction of permanently damaged knees. He also
explains the necessity for educators to elicit the assistance of those in
the medical profession and the need for schools to provide competent
doctors "primarily responsible for the health of athletes in a controlled
program."
According to Daniels and Davies, teachers and coaches:
.
need to know a great deal about the structure and function
of the human organism. They must understand not only normal
structure and function, but also the effects of disease and injury,
7
8
and the kinds of experiences ... to remove the condition, or
at least minimize its effect on total living (2:81).
While the employment of a medical specialist is often beyond the
financial realm of many school districts, it is conceivable to expect those
educators involved in the athletic program to avail themselves of any
resource person or research data which will guide them in the direction of
prevention and safety.
Dr. Donald B. Slocum points to the need for the coach to become
aware of the manner in which injury may be incurred and the injuries most
likely to occur in a given situation. He said that football presents "certain
inescapable injury hazards, due to the very nature of this vigorous body
contact sport" and that a knowledge of the mechanics of these injuries is
vital if adequate medical history and effective diagnosis is to be made.
He further states:
Classifying the injuries incurred by football players has given
valuable clues for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment ....
Here probably the most lethal weapon in football is the oncoming
knee, which exerts forces that must either be absorbed by the
head or transmitted to the vertebral column (13:1640).
Another member of the medical profession, Dr. Paul Trickett,
Director of Athletic Medicine at Tulane University, remarks upon the psycho
logical effects of the football injury. He states that while physically the
injured player may recover, the trauma factor is always present and indeed
increasing with the "intensity of participation" in the athletic event"
(lS:iii). Therefore, it would seem that the coach and athletic trainer must
9
recognize the possible traumatic psychological effects of injuries as well
as the physical implications. Trickett lists "The Bill of Rights for the
College Athlete" and a review of his statements leads the reader to the
realization that such a "Bill of Rights" is applicable to any coach or player
from the elementary school level and higher:
Participation in college athletics is a privilege involving both
responsibilities and rights. The athlete has the responsibility to
play fair, to give his best, to keep in training, to conduct himself
with credit to his sport and his school. In turn he has the right to
optimal protection against injury as this may be assured through
good technical instruction, proper regulation and conditions of
play, and adequate health supervision.
GOOD COACHING: The importance of good coaching in protect
ing the health and safety of athletes cannot be minimized. Technical
instruction leading to skillful performance is a significant factor in
lowering the incidence and decreasing the severity of injuries. Also,
good coaching includes the discouragement of tactics, outside either
the rules or the spirit of the rules, which may increase the hazard and
thus the incidence of injuries.
GOOD EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES: There can be no question
about the protection afforded by proper equipment and right facilities.
Good equipment is now available and is being improved continually;
the problem lies in the false economy of using cheap, worn-out,
outmoded, or ill-fitting gear. Provision of proper areas for play and
their careful maintenance are equally important.
GOOD MEDICAL CARE . . . Including:
FIRST •.. a thorough preseason history and physical examination.
Many of the sports tragedies which occur each year are due to
unrecognized health problems. Medical contraindications to partici
pation in contact sports must be respected.
SECOND ... a physician present at all contests and readily avail
able during practice sessions. It is unfair to leave to a trainer or
coach decisions as to whether an athlete should return to play or be
removed from the game following injury. In serious injuries the
availability of a physician may make the difference in preventing
disability or even death ... (15:16).
10
As it has been pointed out, football because of the very nature
of the game, accounts for a major proportion of athletic injuries. In a
study made by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching,
twenty-two universities and colleges in different parts of the United States
were investigated for incidents of athletic injuries. Among 44, 000 students,
l , 3 2 0 serious accidents and injuries had occurred in one year. These
included sprains, dislocations, concussions, fractures, collapses, and
internal injuries. More than half of the l, 320 accidents were due to foot
ball (lS:iii).
Slocum and Larson reported a study of seventy-six patients per
sonally examined and operated on whose injuries were located in the knee.
An analysis of the results of the investigation showed that of the seventy
six patients, sixty-five were athletic injuries. Forty of these occurred in
football: twenty-five injuries resulted from lateral or posterolateral blows
to the weight-bearing leg while running (clipping), nine occurred when the
patient twisted a leg when suddenly changing direction while running, five
injuries resulted from gang tackles, and one occurred when the patient
received a lateral blow to the leg while standing (14:211-225). It appears
significant to note the large number of football injuries with the variety of
incidents resulting in injury.
Larson and McMahan reported a study taking place with the school
population of the area which includes the University of Oregon at Eugene.
A study of l, 338 athletic injuries as viewed by a group of four orthopedists,
11
revealed 20 percent of such injuries to occur in the age group fourteen
years old and younger and 40 percent in the group fifteen to eighteen years
old. Sixty per cent of the students were in elementary and junior high
schools, 15 percent in high schools, and 25 percent at the university.
The high school students with 40 percent of the athletic injuries in the
smallest numerical group appeared to be the most vulnerable to athletic
injury. The authors concluded that the high incidence of joint injuries
resulting from the high school students' participation in athletics was
accounted for by many factors, including the nature of the athletic sport
as well as the physical maturation of the player. The authors reflect upon
the need for the coach to recognize these factors such as involving pre
teenagers in a football game without limiting playing time, etc. They
further pointed out that coaches consider the effects of possible injuries
along with the benefits derived by youth participating in athletics (11 :607
612).
The above studies point out the relevance of the game of football
to the occurrence of athletic injuries, and the fact that principles for
prevention and treatment of injuries should be acknowledged as a part of
the educational philosophy of the coach and trainer. Trickett directs
responsibility to the coach and asks him "What sort of man do you want
[your child] to have as his coach?" He goes on to say:
First of all, you want a man who knows his sport and can teach
the skills required in that sport to those who come under his
charge • • . . Certainly, you want a man who knows something
12
about the physiological and psychological make-up of the age
group he is dealing with. What are their capabilities? What
are their limitations? You want a man who can be inside the
boy's head and see what makes him tick .•. (15:20).
The author discusses the attitude of the coach and states that all too often
youngsters are pushed too far too fast by coaches whose only philosophy~
seems to be to win at all cost, with apparent total disregard for the physical
and emotional well-being of the youngsters:
Although a great deal of the coach's responsibility for
insuring the health and safety of the athlete is shared with his
trainer and with the team physician, generally speaking it is
the coach who must enforce the rules of conditioning, the rules
of health, and the rules for safety that coach, trainer, and phy
sician have set up (15:20-21).
It is pertinent to reflect, at this point, upon the fact that while
authorities are pointing out the need for coaches to assume knowledge
and responsibility for the prevention of athletic injuries, there are many
coaches whose attitudes about such occurrences of injuries are of a
selfish nature. Trickett observes that there is no excuse for a coach not
reporting an injury simply so the player can suit up and continue to be a
member of the team. He says that time and again "I've heard of coaches
saying, 'I'd rather have my star out there limping around than anybody I've
got on my bench. 111 (15:23).
Hirata is concerned with the lack of information available to the
coach or injured player whenever such injuries happen to be reported. He
'.stated the lack of professional knowledge by those in the medical field
was also apparent when it came to the vast implications surrounding a
13
football knee injury, and similar athletic injuries:
..• For despite the many books and the voluminous literature by
experts in the field, he will find, as I did, that the real problems,
the difficulties that plague all doctors working directly in athletics,
are either not to be found in the printed word, or are hidden in the
middle of paragraphs dealing with more "major" clinical problems
(8:3).
Hirata further elaborated upon the lack of available medical data when he
stated that "a frenzied scrutiny of the literature at the nearest medical
library, or a quick look at one of the accepted classics will avail the
doctor nothing" (8:3).
This accusation by Dr. Hirata leads one to question why this is
so. Why is there such a lack of accurate medical information on this
level? Hirata gives an explanation:
11
serious11
The answer to these questions is simple. An overwhelming
percentage of athletic disabilities are so minor as to warrant little
or no attention from the devoted clinician, who deals only with
conditions. A sore hamstring, asymptomatic except
when a boy really "pours it on," is hardly worthy of notice;
there is no real disability, the boy can continue to go to school,
he is not in pain, so why worry about it? The serenes s will
surely disappear if the part is adequately rested, will it not?
Given sufficient time and rest, the complain cannot fail to
disappear! (8:4)
The long lasting results of knee injuries by some individuals
attest to the fact that such lack of medical awareness and treatment is dis
turbing. As Hirata emphasized, athletes and coaches fully and rightfully
so, expect serious accidents and disabilities to be treated with efficiency,
dispatch, and skill. But they also expect that any disability--no matter
how minor--will be treated with the same efficiency, dispatch, and skill.
14
All disabilities are important and must be dealt with seriously and
individually (8 :4-5).
A comprehensive study of knee injury in sports has been recently
reported by Klein and Allman. Their research is directed to the athletic
team physician, athletic trainer, coach, and other physical education
personnel. These authorities have clinics and treatment laboratories with
which to develop methods to rapidly and completely restore the strength of
muscles weakened by injury and disuse. Apparently, the importance of
studying the knee injury problem is coming to the attention of professional
educators (10).
This was evidenced during the Second Annual Sports Medicine
Seminar held in March at Seattle, Washington, when a major concern of
medical and educational leaders present involved the problem of knee
injuries. According to Bob Peterson, Head Trainer at the University of
Washington, more coaches need to be aware of the definite causes of knee
injuries. He said that many times the severity and longevity of the injury
is brought about by the negligence or lack of knowledge by the person in
charge--the coach. It was suggested that perhaps through a projected and
mandatory program of interest, some of these problems could be eliminated
by informing the coach as to how to diagnose and treat these injuries (12).
In retrospect of the review of literature, it can be concluded that
authorities in the fields of education and medicine acknowledge a lack of
information on the part of both professions. While it was agreed that the
15
dangers and lasting implications of athletic injuries are apparent and of
prime importance to the physical and mental well-being of the player,
medicine and education need to join ranks and develop specific knowledge
bases regarding the prevention and treatment of the problem.
Chapter 3
DEFINITION I
TREATMENT I
AND REHABILITATION
DEFINITION
The knee injury is probably the most serious injury that occurs in
football. Nowhere in athletic medicine are early examination and treatment
more important. Certain results can be expected, but there is no miracle
pertaining to knee injuries and their treatment.
Let us examine some of the reasons or situations as to why an
injury to the knee occurs. The knee is a very vulnerable joint and is not
designed to accept undue stress or shear forces that might be placed upon
it. The two biggest causes of injury are receiving a blow from the side
such as delivered in a 11 side block 11 or being tackled and the undue stress
that is present when cleats are firmly fixed in the turf. When these situa
tions are presented and all factors involved, injury usually occurs. Some
thing has to give and many times it is ligaments or cartilages found in the
knee joint, especially those of high school boys whose joints and liga
mentous structures are not entirely mature or fixed.
The next phase to consider is how to evaluate the true extent of
the knee injury. Complete and painstaking examinations must be undertaken
16
17
at the time of the injury and thereafter. Every advantage must be taken
of X-ray and other diagnostic measures.
Complete examination includes: First, an exacting history of the
precise mechanism of injury, something that must be obtained immediately
after the injury and before the athlete forgets exactly how it happened.
Second, a thorough inspection of the entire knee joint for swelling or
deformity must be made. Third, a sequential series of tests that must
include a complete range of motion from hyperextension to full flexion,
abduction and adduction in full extension as well as 15 degrees flexion,
the "drawer" sign and rotation of the lower leg on the femur with the knee
flexed to 20 degrees. No knee can be examined without each of these
maneuvers nor can any injury be correctly evaluated by any single one
without the others (8:214). Each maneuver has a specific meaning and the
presence or absence of findings in each one of them is of lasting signifi
cance. Fourth, all areas must be thoroughly palpated, checking for
tenderness along the medial and lateral joint lines, the medial and lateral
collateral ligaments, the medial femoral condyle, and finally, testing for
true joint effusion as contrasted to prepatellar effusion while routinely
pressuring the fat pad area for suggestive thickening or tenderness. Only
after this complete examination can a working diagnosis be formulated and
a program of future rehabilitation be established.
18
Contusions
The next step shall be to consider the types of knee injuries
encountered, the first of which will be contusions. There are many types
of contusions which are the result of a specific incident of impact. These
are almost always possible to determine within the first minutes of evalua
tion. If the blow was neither sufficiently forceful nor remarkable to cause
any counter-joint motion, the player will be able to state this with a
positive knowledge that can be depended upon. The site must then be
carefully located and inspected, keeping in mind possible confusion with
contusions on the femoral condyle and associated neighborhood symptoms
that might falsely suggest collateral ligament strain. Also, the "low
char lie" with its penchant for supra patellar bursa! bleeding must be kept
in mind. Also, bruises of the bony surfaces of the condyles or of the
patella itself can occur with local characteristics typical of the bone bruise.
Minor Ligament Strains
The second type of injury to be discussed will be the minor ligament
strains. Minor ligament strains are evidenced first by a history of counter
joint force; and second, by distinctly localizeable tenderness along the
length of the medial or lateral collateral ligaments. Occasionally this
tenderness is limited to a narrow area, but this is diagnostic even in the
absences of demonstrable instability either in full extension or at 15 degrees
flexion. The most common type of ligament strain is characterized by some
19
degree of demonstrable laxity in the involved ligament with a distinct elas
ticity on abduction or adduction at 15 degrees flexion; and in a few days is
as tight and stable as ever. Two other types are the medial collateral
strain and the lateral collateral strain which are not serious injuries as
long as there is full range of motion and full hyperextension in the standing
position.
Ligament Tear
The next injury type that will be discussed is the complete or near
complete collateral ligament tear. All the symptoms present in ligament
strains are present, but to a greater degree. Abduction or adduction is
greatly evidenced without any sense of elasticity at all and full quadriceps
stabilization in extension does not alter the degree of lateral instability.
In cases of complete collateral tear, the only remaining stability is provided
by the medial joint capsule itself. If this is partially torn, there may be so
little support that the true limits of lateral angulation of tibia or femur can be
downright frightening.
If there is joint-line tenderness and limitation of extension or
hyperextension by more than five degrees, a cartilage injury must be
suspected which is the next injury type to be discussed. Every opportunity
should be afforded the knee to spontaneously resolve under these circum
stances since past experiences has shown that a large proportion of these
subside spontaneously, full range of motion returns, joint-line tenderness
20
disappears, and the football player can return to full participation. Close
observations should be maintained on the knee because re-injury or lack of
proper attention and care will undoubtedly result in surgery to remove the
damaged cartilage.
Anterior Cruciate Integrity
Now we come to the "drawer sign" and its true meaning, the
presence or absence of anterior cruciate integrityo(8:214). This is directly
dependent upon an immediate on-the-spot examination which may be the
most revealing before any reflex spasms of the hamstrings can develop to
completely obscure any possible positive sign.
Of additional importance in all knee injuries, but particularly in
cases of ligament strain, is the rapidity of quadriceps atrophy. This
atrophy is sometimes evident within three or four days and is apparent in
the lower-most portion of the bastus medialis, just above the patella.
This atrophy is all the more evident because of the usually extraordinary
development of this muscle group in the football player or any other com
petitive athlete. Ironically, this is usually the last segment of the
quadriceps to develop even after the most strenuous competition over many
years and is the first to go after injury. It must be restored as soon as
possible to stabilize the injured knee.
21
The Retropatellar Fat-Pad
Another injury that occurs to the knee is the retropatellar fat-pad
to use medical terminology, but is commonly called the "pinched fat-pad"
in athletic terms. This injury is characterized by the complain of pain in
the kneecap or patella area on hyperextension. A thorough examination
may fail to reveal any ligamentous instability, joint-line tenderness, or
evidence of internal damage; yet the football player will still complain of
pain and increasing discomfort directly behind the patella. Examination of
this area reveals an ill-defined soft tissue thickening on both sides of the
patella, which is exceedingly tender and is most often termed as a bruise.
Under normal circumstances this injury might not be too noticeable and
would present only minor discomfort. However, under the stress of compe
titive athletics such as in football, the incessant demand on repetitive knee
action is certain to pinch the pad sooner or later. Once this pinching
occurs, hemorrhaging results and the pinched or damaged tissues swell
more and present a larger protruding mass that is painful and tender. During
this time the symptoms and the discomfort increase unless activity is pro
hibited until this "fat-pad" and the surrounding tissue have had the oppor
tunity to return to normal or ordinary corrditfon.
Prepatellar Bursitis
Prepatellar bursitis is another knee injury that is of concern to
football players. Commonly labeled as "water on the knee, " it is
22
characterized by excessive fluid present on the knee, usually caused by a
blow or impact to the bursa. This condition is usually eliminated by aspir
ation, ice, and compression or use of steroids. Also of great importance
is the use of a greater amount of padding or a more absorbent type knee
pad to insure adequate protection and prevent further aggrevation or
damage to the irritated bursae.
There are other injuries .or problems to the knees such as Osgood
Schlatter' s Disease and Menisectomy, but since these are not usually an
injury caused directly by football, they will not be discussed at this time.
Many times they may create difficulties for the football players vJ1 ich are
then labeled as injuries caused by football.
Also there are the rare but easily recognized dislocation of the
patella. This injury is usually lateral and is very painful and disabling.
The deformity of a knee whose patella has been displaced laterally out of
the condyle notch and is locked into a lateral position is impossible to
miss. Immediate replacement by a qualified person such as a physician
or team trainer should take place on the spot of the injury before spasms
and swelling occur. Any delay in replacement of the patella causes
increased pain and difficulty. Immediate attention should follow in the
form of X-rays for possible bone chips or fractures and to determine if
surgery is necessary for complete treatment and correction of the injury.
23
TREATMENT
The next phase to be considered is the treatment and rehabilitation
of the knee. First of all, when a knee injury occurs, any good coach,
trainer, or doctor should practice a sound "on-the-field" routine. This
means that the injured player should be supported or carried from the field
either by his teammates or on a stretcher. This is no time for heroic efforts
or "tough it out" attempts which will bring the oh's and ah's from the fans
and possible increased injury to the player. The fans will clap and the
cheerleaders will give him fifteen rahs regardless of how he leaves the
field, so think of the injured knee and carry him off the field. The injured
knee should be packed in ice immediately and elevated. Hopefully, a team
physician or trainer will examine the knee before a great amount of swelling
occurs. A compression pad of cotton batting or composition roll is placed
over the knee and wrapped with an elastic bandage. Nowhere in athletic
medicine are early examination and early treatment more important. It is
difficult to examine an injured knee adequately three or four hours after the
time of injury. Swelling and muscle spasms occur and make functional tests
for stability and flexion unreliable and difficult to perform. Early diagnosis
and treatment usually enhance the speed of recovery and most of the time
insure more positive results. Knowing how the injury occurred is extremely
important in evaluation of the nature and extent of the injury. One of the
most important factors is that all knee injuries require immobilization until
24
the exact nature of the injury is determined. If the football player is
allowed to walk on an injured knee, changes or increased damage might
occur which might mean that the joint cannot be repaired properly even
through surgery.
In the case of minor knee injury such as partial or minor ligament
tears and strains, the boy should be required to use crutches probably for
a minimum of three or four days or longer depending on a doctor's prescribed
treatment. This is to keep all weight off the knee to prevent aggravating
the injury and to allow the swelling to decrease. Many times a cast is
required to insure immobilization of the knee joint.
The majority of the knee injuries will involve the medial meniscus
which is the medical term for the cartilaginous surface of the joint (3:114).
Injuries of this type require surgical repair, usually the sooner, the better
the outcome of the injured knee. Although a boy may continue to play with
cartilage damage, his knee will begin to lock, causing increasing pain,
greater damage, and decreasing palying efficiency, which is why surgery
is so necessary.
In the cases of complete ligament tear, surgery is required to
insure proper results in re-establishing the knee. Frequently both the
collateral and cruciate ligaments are torn. It is possible for a person in
normal life to function with torn cruciates, but not a football player who is
subjecting his knee to abnormal stresses.
25
One of the biggest problems that complicate the diagnosis of the
knee injury is the almost uselessness of the X-ray. Any broken bone,
bone chips, dislocated patella, or similar injury will show up on the X-ray,
but not a damaged cartilage or ligament. Therefore, it is imperative that a
physician or trainer examine and diagnose the injury or refer the injured
player to an orthopedic specialist. Also of equal importance is to be aware
of any previous injury that might have been sustained by the knee.
The biggest therapeutic improvement in the treating of soft tissue
injuries is the use of medications known as enzymes, such as Papase
Ananase or similar proteolytic type. These enzymes will reduce the injury
and discoloration period by apparently speeding the re-absorption of blood
and fluid in the injured area (11 :87). Also, they have a tremendous
psychological effect on the injured player because they are fairly new
and not too well known by the average person.
Another phase in the treatment of the knee is to start whirlpool
therapy approximately 48 hours after cessation of treatment with ice.
This should be done gradually and is definitely not to be used for a minimum
time -period of 48 to 72 hours after the time the injury was sustained. Heat
therapy through the use of the whirlpool bath should begin at fairly low or
moderate temperatures and gradually increased to a higher degree. However,
it is necessary to consult with the physician who is treating the injury since
only those of a minor nature will respond while those of a more serious
nature will probably require surgery.
26
REHABILITATION
Most of the time football players are great patients physiologi
cally and psychologically. They are fine physical specimens and usually
have been ingrained to accept and live with injury and pain. However, too
many times these same players are subjected to unrealistic rehabilitation,
probably because of their playing ability, with too little regard for their
physical being and the nature of their injury. Hopefully, these situations
may be avoided by leaving the boy under the care of the attending physician
and thus making him responsible for instituting and supervising the rehabili
tation processes.
Before a boy is returned to the football field, his knee should be
at least as strong as it was before the injury. The main problem that a boy
is faced with is atrophy of the muscles supporting the knee, particularly
the quadriceps group:.
Because the strength and stability of the knee is
dependent upon the quadriceps, it is important that this muscle group is at
least at its original strength to provide these qualifications.
Basically, there is not much reason why extensive atrophy should
occur; but it often does, usually because of negligence and unawareness.
Even on the day of the injury, work can begin with the quadriceps muscles.
When the leg is fully extended, the boy can contract the muscles and hold
it for approximately five seconds. No joint movement is involved and a
boy should be able to do two or three sets of ten repetitions of this post
27
operative exercise. This is nothing more than a simple isometric exercise
and will aid in good muscle tone which is easier to maintain than to rebuild
after the muscles have been allowed to atrophy.
As soon as the boy's condition permits, he should begin raising
the leg in a fully extended position to strengthen the quadriceps. If his
leg is in a cast, he can use isometric type exercises by having someone
hold the cast whi_le he exerts force upward. The hamstring muscles group
can be strengthened in the same manner by simply having the boy roll over
on his stomach and force up on the leg against the cast or stay on his back
or in a sitting position and exert downward pressure.
As soon as possible, attempts to restore full flexion to the knee
should be made. The type of injury will determine what treatment and what
type of motion should be used. Probably the best exercise to begin with is
to have the boy sit on the edge of a table with the lower portion of his leg
hanging down over the side and flex the knee. The weight of the leg itself
will be enough at the beginning. He should raise the leg until it is
straight and then slowly lower it to the original starting position. A boy
should start out with five to eight repetitions and gradually increase
according to the individual 1 s tolerance and endurance.
As soon as the boy has achieved a reasonable range of motion, he
should begin to walk. Here is where the team trainer or physician should
be consulted. Emphasize the point of not limping or favoring the knee.
This will be difficult in the beginning, but it is important when striving to
28
rebuild strength and endurance. After a reasonable length of time, he
should begin running to establish stability to the knee. As progress is
made, the boy should do a few simple agility drills such as quick starts
and stops, cuts, figure eights, and other similar maneuvers. This should
be a gradual process determined by the type and nature of the injury and
designed to restore the knee to full use.
Many types and variations of exercises are used to rehabilitate
the knee. Some of them are running and bicycle riding, preferably on a
stationary or exercise type mode so that the injured player can be properly
supervised. Another exercise to be utilized after flexion is to use weights
such as the boot, sandbags, or the quadriceps bench, such as is designed
in the Universal Gym Set or the Marcy Gym Set. There are many home-made
apparatus such as inner tubes, springs, etc., that can be manufactured to
fit the individual budget and facilities and provide adequate exercise.
Over-exercising can be as dangerous as under-exercising, but is
not so common. Therefore, supervision and guidance are essential so that
any attempted exercise is not extended beyond tolerance and results in
retarding rehabilitation. The boy must be encouraged to do enough exercise
to insure his opportunity to return to the football field. Again, it should be
emphasized that a knee strong enough to allow a boy to bowl, dance, and
lead a normal everyday life may not be strong enough to withstand the
stresses and strains that it will be subjected to in football.
29
Once the player returns to football practice, the injured knee is
still of primary concern. How do you support the knee? Externally, the
most elaborate devices of steel, plastic, rubber, canvas, and elastic
have failed to provide adequate support under the daily demands of football.
Granted there are some such as the Palmer knee brace that seem to do a
better job than others, but~ are really satisfactory.
Ta ping the knee
every day seems to provide the best results, but this proves to be costly
to some athletic budgets and is not always 100 percent effective. The.
main concern should be for the stability of the knee in order to allow the
player to participate without excess danger of re-injury. Any boy whose
knee is so unstable that it cannot withstand the demands of football which
occur when flexed should be prevented from participation regardless of his
own desire, parental pressure, or his "importance" to the team. No boy
should be subjected to possible permanent injury to win a game or cham
pionship. These cases are usually the exceptions rather than the usual
cases, but this should be kept in mind.
The next item: to look at is the role of football cleats in knee
injuries. In the past few years, there has been a great deal of concern,
study, and experimenting in the correlation of the knee injury and the
football cleats. Hirata reports that originating with Hanley at Bowdoin,
who demonstrated a convincing relationship between cleats which were
firmly fixed in the ground and subsequent knee injury, there has been many
modifications and changes (8:229). The cleats have been shortened,
30
rounded, made into circular discs and flat bars, redesigned like soccer
cleats, made from rubber, metal, and plastic, but still knee injuries occur.
In some cases, the heel cleats have been replaced by an ordinary shoe
heel in an attempt to prevent injury. Knee injuries can and do occur if the
heel becomes firmly locked in the ground, thereby creating torsonial forces
to the knee (8:235). This is compounded when impact is added, such as a
block or tackle, especially from the side. This leaves a great deal of
speculation and second guessing to all concerned parties and provides a
great selling point to the manufacturers of football shoes.
Chapter 4
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Throughout the paper, the writer has endeavored to objectively
and thoroughly examine some of the various types of knee injuries that
occur in football. A review of related literature showed that while medical
and educational authorities were aware of the problem, a definite lack of
literature in both areas often leads to haphazard treatment and attitudes
by doctors and coaches alike •
The main points that were emphasized in the paper were those
factors relating to methods of treatment and rehabilitation of the knee. It
appears that the most successful cases of knee injuries and their recovery
are determined by intelligent and early diagnosis and treatment. It is the
tendency of too many of us in coaching to be more concerned with the
"toughness" of the player and his immediate return to action on the playing
field.
With football players, it is especially important to diagnose the
injury immediately, treat it, and personally supervise the post-operative
care and muscle development. It is not always possible for the average
coach to be an outstanding authority on every injury, but it, is possible to
apply common sense, concern for the injured player, and some basic
knowledge of how to care for athletic injuries.
31
32
Our main concern must be a return to 100 per cent normal func
tioning of the player's knee. How this goal is achieved depends upon the
coach, his concern and interest, the cooperation and rapport established
with a qualified physician, and how each individual case is handled.
Bearing in mind the statement from Coach Duffy Daugherty of Michigan
State University, "Dancing is a contact sport, football is a collision
sport," each one of us is responsible to be aware of the symptoms of a
knee injury and the steps to follow to achieve the best possible results.
It is recommended that educators, and especially the athletic
coach, take a sincere look at his school's policies and procedures
regarding the prevention and treatment of injuries occurring on the football
field. A baseline knowledge for guidance in the area of injury prevention
is a necessary prerequisite to any educational endeavor when one is
responsible for the safety of young people. This responsibility is of
direct concern to the athletic coach whose influence on the mental and
physical well-being of the athlete is powerful. Administrators should
allow time for coaches to participate in professional training courses
directed toward the safety and health of the student participants. Finally,
it is recommended further investigations be made relating to the prevention
and treatment of all injuries which might occur during school athletics.
The provision of proper and immediate medical attention to the athlete
which enables him to continue to participate in a sport he loves and which
33
will prevent him from being forced to live for the rest of his life with a
disability that could have been prevented, should be the desire of every
athletic coach.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
34
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Cullen, Charles C. Orthopedic and Surgical Appliances, 8th and
Olive Way, Seattle, Washington.
2. Daniels, Arthur S. and Evelyn A. Davies. Adapted Physical Education.
New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, 19 65.
3. Dayton, William. Athletic Training and Conditioning. New York:
Ronald Press Company, 1960.
4. De Palma, Anthony F. Clinical Orthopaedics. Philadelphia and
Montreal: J. B. Lippincott Company, 19 6 2 •
5.
• The Management of Fractures and Dislocations.
Philadelphia and London: W. B. Saunders Company, 1964.
6. Grant, J. C. An Atlas of Anatomy. Baltimore: The Williams and
Wilkins Company, 19 61.
7. Gray, Carolyn E. Textbook of Anatomy and Physiology. New York:
The Macmillan Company, 19 63.
8. Hirata, Isao, Jr., M. D. The Doctor and the Athlete. Philadelphia:
J. B. Lippincott Company, 19 68.
9. Kerr, Barry A. "Knee Extension Movement," Research Quarterly, Vol.
37, No. 2, May, 1966.
10. Klein, Karl K. The Knee in Sports. New York: The Pemberton Press,
Jenkins Publishing Company, 19 69.
11. Larson, Robert L. , M. D. , and Robert 0. Mc Mahan, M. D. "The
Epphyses and the Childhood Athlete," The Journal of the American
Medical Association, 196:607-612, May 16, 1966.
12. Second Annual Sports Medical Seminar, Seattle, Washington, March,
1969.
13. Slocum, Donald B. , M. D. "The Mechanics of Common Football
Injuries," The Journal of the American Medical Association,
170:1640-1646, August 1, 1959.
36
14. Slocum, Donald B., M. D., and Robert L. Larson, M.D. "Rotatary
Instability of the Knee," The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery,
50-1 :211-225, March, 19 68.
15. Spalteholz, Werner, M. D. Hand Atlas of Anatomy. Philadelphia:
J.B. Lippincott Company, 1959.
16 • Thorndike, Augustus. Athletic Injuries, Prevention, Diagnosis, and
Treatment. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1948.
17. Trickett, Paule., M. D. Athletic Injuries. NewYork: Appleton
Century-Crofts, 19 65.
18. Wakefield, Charles T. , M. D. , Port Orchard Medical Clinic, Port
Orchard, Washington.
APPENDIX
T. •UCKNEA, M.D. (1959)
E. MCCONVILLE, M.D.
I. CALLAHAN, M.D.
J. ELLll:NGE•, M .D.
Please note:
Signature has been removed due to security concerns
EA•T 9-D~DD
ORS. MCCONVILLE, CALLAHAN & ELLINGER
701 SIXTEENTH AVENUE
SEATTLE, WA19HINlllTCN 99122
Mey 19, 1969
Mr. IBrry Maguire
Footbal 1 Coach
South Kitsap High School
Port Orchard, Washington, 98366
Dear Mr. Maguire :
l(y" most sincere apology for the delay in answering your
letter.
In going over your letter I would suggest that you get
hold af a copy ar ''Treatment af Injuries to .Athletes"
by Dr. Don O'Donoghue.
This book wes first published in 1962 by the W. B. Saunders
& Canpeny af Philadelphia end actually is ''The Bible" for
doctors who treat injured athletes. I em sure that any
doctor friend af yours in the canmunity would have this
or make it available to you through e county medical library.
At the .Athletic Injury Conference in Oklahane City this year
one of the better days was spent on a break dawn on the knee
in its relationship to athletic injuries. This included the
extensor mechanism, the knee ligaments which wes subdivided
into the medial canpirtment, lateral canpartment, end posterior
canpartment, es wEi 1 es the cruciete ligaments. A separate
day was likewise spent on cartilage injuries. I would think
that if you could break down your thesis along these lines
you might have a very workable plan •
.Another end sanewbat newer book ''The Doctor end the Athlete"
by Isao H:lreta, Jr. has recently been published by the J. B.
Lippincott Canpaey. This takes up injuries more or less
in en enatanicel division. rather than by sports. There h •
great deal ar good inf o:rmation in this book end it is
readily available to anyone through any reliable book store.
If I can be of any fl.Il"ther help to you, kindly call.
With kind personal regards,