The knee joint is a very stable joint unlike the shoulder, which is an aerobat
ic joint, controlled to a great degree by muscle. When the knee is injured it many times occurs with loading (compression) and twisting (torque). The knee also can be injured by forces applied to an extended knee.
It is common for the ligaments and meniscus (cartilage) to take this abuse. Micro tearing and inflammation can occur, which then leads to scar tissue formation. Commonly injured structures include the stabilizing ligaments of the knee (MCL, LCL, ACL and PCL), the quadriceps and patellar tendons, the pes anserinus and Gerdy’s tubercle.
Overuse of the muscles controlling the knee as it flexes and extends during running can overload the tendons, which can cause inflammation and scarring. Advanced soft tissue therapy (A.R.T./Graston) is designed to disrupt this scar tissue formation thus allowing these tissues to support and move the knee joint as it is designed.