We offer weekend warriors, competitive athletes and other women a unique, whole-patient approach offering the latest in non-invasive therapies and create a customized, comprehensive plan to treat such common injuries as stress fractures, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and patellofemoral syndrome.
Stress fractures, or tiny hairline fractures in the bone, occur up to four times more frequently in female runners than in their male counterparts. Those most often seen in women are:
- Pelvic stress fractures, which are characterized by groin or inner thigh pain, tenderness in the pelvic area and trouble standing on one leg. When diagnosed–via a thorough examination and diagnostic testing–such fractures usually take about two to five months to heal with limited activity, rest, swimming and physical therapy.
- Femoral neck stress fractures. Because these hip stress fractures are relatively uncommon, accurately diagnosing this condition takes the extensive experience and expertise our women's health specialists possess. These fractures occur four times more often in women than in men, particularly in those who are more advanced athletes. Symptoms of this type of fracture include groin pain radiating to the knee that increases when bearing weight, standing or raising the leg. Diagnosis usually requires a bone scan or MRI.
Non-contact ACL injuries are up to five times more likely to occur in women. While researchers aren't sure why, it may relate to hormone levels, the presence of estrogen receptors in the ACL or basic anatomical differences between men and women. Whatever the reason, women who suffer a painful ACL injury usually experience:
- A "pop" in the knee during a sudden directional change or deceleraton
- Swelling, decreased range of motion and tenderness
- An ongoing feeling of knee instability
A torn ACL may be effectively treated without surgery with pain management techniques and proactive physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Another common knee injury experienced by women athletes is patellofemoral syndrome. Women diagnosed with this condition usually:
- Have no known medical history of trauma to the knee
- Experience pain at the front of the knee that worsens with prolonged sitting or standing or when going up or down stairs
- Report hearing clicking, popping or the feeling that the knee is "catching," especially during deep knee bends
Patellofemoral syndrome, most often diagnosed with a thorough physical examination that includes diagnostic testing, is most often successfully treated by strengthening the area via proactive physical therapy.