Reducing Knee Pain from Overuse Injuries in Gymnasts with Janis Konkle

Overuse knee injuries can be incredibly frustrating and painful for gymnasts, especially when they involve growth plate injuries like Osgood-Schlatter's or patellar tendon problems. 

In this episode of The Shift Show, Janis Konkle PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS, a former Division I gymnast and now physical therapist, shares her knowledge on what causes overuse knee injuries in gymnasts and what can be done to help manage and prevent them.

Janis is a traveling Physical Therapist, Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist, Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and Owner of Precision Performance For Gymnasts: injury prevention seminars & performance testing at gymnastics clubs across the U.S.

Janis provides a comprehensive overview of growth plate injuries and the principles behind why they happen. 

She also discusses what gymnasts can do to reduce knee pain, including flexibility, soft tissue work, and strength work. 

Importantly, she emphasizes the need for a good plan of attack when managing overuse knee injuries to avoid flaring up again and again.

This episode is a must-listen for gymnasts and coaches who want to better understand how to manage and prevent overuse knee injuries. 

Janis provides invaluable insights and advice for anyone looking to help gymnasts overcome knee pain and continue to perform at their best.

We discuss: 

Why do overuse injuries happen in gymnastics? 

The role communication and culture play in gymnastic injuries.

What kinds of injuries are we seeing the most?

Why overuse injuries evolve with age: understanding the progression from growth plates to cartilage damage.

The most obvious factor of knee pain is…

The importance of proper landings in gymnastics. 

And…

Practical steps to get out of knee pain.


Research articles noted in the podcast:

Meta-analysis of meta-analyses of anterior cruciate ligament injury reduction training programs:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29737024/

2018 International Olympic Committee consensus statement on prevention, diagnosis and management of paediatric anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries:

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/52/7/422 

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