Maybe you twisted your knee hiking. Maybe it started hurting after pickleball or skiing. Or perhaps there wasn't a specific injury at all, it simply began bothering you one day.

In many cases, a few days of rest is exactly what's needed.

But certain symptoms suggest the problem may be more than a simple strain. When these warning signs are present, delaying an evaluation can sometimes allow the injury to become more difficult to treat.

Patients tell me, "My knee only really hurts when I go down the stairs."

At first, it doesn't seem like a big deal. Many people continue exercising, walking, or even playing sports without much trouble. But descending stairs places unique forces on the knee, and pain during this everyday activity can provide important clues about what's happening inside the joint.

Skiing is a thrilling way to embrace the winter months, but for those with knee instability or past injuries, it can also be a source of concern. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or hitting the slopes for the first time, knee braces can be a game-changer in boosting your confidence and protecting your knees.

ACL reconstruction is a widely performed surgery that helps restore stability and function to a knee with a torn ACL. However, you might wonder if there's a risk of developing arthritis after ACL surgery. While the goal is to get you back to your pre-injury activities, sometimes arthritis can sneak in after the procedure.

Dr. Sterett explains, “Dancers often perform movements that place immense stress on the knee. These repetitive stresses, combined with the need for flexibility and strength, make the ACL susceptible to tears.”

Dr. Sterett explains, “Children’s bones are still growing, which means their ligaments, tendons, and muscles are also developing. This makes their growth plates more vulnerable to injuries, including ACL tears.”

The question, "can a dislocated shoulder cause a rotator cuff tear?" is often asked by patients. The answer is yes. The force that dislocates the shoulder can indeed cause a tear in the rotator cuff.

"Biking can be a valuable addition to a runner's training regimen as it provides a low-impact alternative that reduces the repetitive stress on the knees," states Dr. Sterett.

OK, you’ve gotten over the shock of tearing your ACL, concluded that you should have surgery, and now your surgeon wants your input on what he should use to replace your ACL. But it feels like he is speaking a different language. Lets go over some of the lingo.

“In fact, athletes in many sports that meet criteria for being loose jointed are more than four times more likely to tear their ACL than athletes that are not loose jointed,” states Dr. Sterett.

Dr. Sterett advises, "By diversifying training activities, runners can reduce the strain on specific muscle groups and joints, thereby minimizing the risk of overuse injuries.”

Dr. Sterett explains, "Knee popping can arise from harmless, physiological mechanism. Common causes of knee popping encompasses a variety of factors. Soft tissue interactions, such as the movement of tendons, ligaments, or menisci can produce audible popping sensations.”

Dr. Sterett explains that, “Knee dislocations have the potential to cause arthritis, primarily due to the significant trauma and damage to the joint structures.” Knee dislocations occur when the bones of the knee joint are forced out of alignment, often as a result of high-impact accidents or sports injury.

This overview aims to delve into the distinct differences and commonalities in knee injuries associated with skiing and snowboarding, as well as provide insights into risk factors and injury prevention techniques.

I am dedicated to helping ski enthusiasts enjoy their time on the slopes without the risk of debilitating shoulder injuries. A proactive approach that encompasses both pre-skiing preparations and on-slope techniques is my top recommendation for shoulder injury prevention.

The journey back to sports after such a procedure is a careful and gradual process, and as we step into 2024 I want patients and athletes to have the information needed for a safe, successful recovery.

As the winter sports season unfolds, the risk of ACL injuries looms prominently in ice hockey. Dr. Bill Sterett, a distinguished board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurology, brings forth his wealth of expertise in preventing and treating ACL injuries in ice hockey players.

As the winter sports season approaches, ensuring the safety of our young athletes becomes a top priority. Dr. Bill Sterett, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and renowned sports medicine specialist, shares valuable insights on preventing ACL injuries in youth winter athletes.

It is a priority to Dr. Sterett to provide patients with a comprehensive overview of ACL injuries. This blog post focus on answering the questions about anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in older adults. While ACL injuries are often associated with young athletes, they can also affect older individuals, presenting unique challenges and considerations for patients.

Dr. Sterett concentrates on the distinct characteristics of shoulder dislocations, including their cause clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. Hopefully you will come away with a better understanding of shoulders that “pop out”, are first time dislocations, and who is at risk for recurrence or other related injuries.