- 12% of all industrial workplace injuries involve the knee
- 70-75% of these knee injuries are sprains, strains or non-contact injuries, which can be prevented
- 100,000 annual ACL tears
- Knee pain just doesn’t originate in and around the knee. Short muscles in the calf, thigh, lower back, and hip region leads to poor alignment and pain in the knee
- Knee injuries cost employers over 2 billion a year in lost time labor, rehabilitation and insurance premiums.
- Common knee injuries are IT band syndrome, ACL tears, and jumpers knee
- Employees who suffer one knee injury are significantly more likely to suffer another, increasing their risk for lost time from work
- Because of the high prevalence of knee injuries, prevention of the 1st injury is the most effective means to promote an injury free workplace
Major causes
- Aging population
- Poor Physical Condition, Weak muscles strain easier and cannot support the structural stability of the muscles that surround the knee.
- Previous Injury can cause breakdown of the knee’s primary structures therefore causing weakness in tendons and muscles. This predisposes the knee to future injuries.
- Cumulative Trauma and repetitive overuse injury. Repetitive demands on joints and muscles can cause inflammation and tenderness, which can turn into an injury.
- Overactive Calf and Quadriceps Muscles- The over activity of these muscles pulls the knee either away from the midline of the body or toward the midline of the body. This causes awkward pulls on the tendons and muscles surrounding the knee.
- Underactive Gluteus Maximus and Hamstring muscles. Weakness in these muscles allows the overactive muscles to dominate the natural movement of the body and cause injuries.
Preventative techniques
Can reduce injury by 50% if one or all tactics are executed
- Always warm up properly before shift and mid-shift after break
- Have wellness safety rep assign and coach you on your personal injury prevention plan
- Execute a knee injury prevention plan to remove cumulative trauma, increase range of motion, and put your knee in its strongest injury resistant state
- Engage in a knee strengthening program assigned to you by your wellness coach or safety rep
- Proper Nutrition and Hydration – that includes hydration ensures that you maintain energy throughout the day and you muscles are less likely to fatigue.
- Rest and Recovery- Your body needs time to recovery from daily task. Also be sure to get your 6-8 hours of sleep so your body can repair itself.
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