The kneecap protects the front of the knee. Groups of tendons join the muscles to the bones and hold the kneecap in place. Each year, more than four million Americans seek medical help for a knee problem. In athletes, the knee is one of the most commonly injured joints. Injury can occur from overuse or overtraining, impact to the knee, falls, and sudden twisting movements.
Some injuries heal on their own with rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the leg.
Severe or chronic knee injuries may require surgical repair of the joint structures. After Knee Surgery Research shows high levels of stress can delay wound healing. Stress appears to be related to an increased production of a hormone called cortisol. Now, doctors at Yale Sports Medicine Center want to know if stress and other factors influence healing time after knee surgery. Early findings show patients who have a lot of psychological stress tend to heal more slowly than similar patients with less stress.