Knee Pain From Kicking a Ball

Whether you play soccer as a hobby or on a community team, the repetitive motions from running and kicking can wreak havoc on the muscles and tendons in your knee. The pain you feel when kicking the ball can have a variety of causes, all due to overuse or strain in the knee muscles. By understanding the cause of your knee pain, you'll know better how to treat the pain and adjust your skills to avoid knee pain in the future.

Causes

Since the pain in your knee when kicking a ball can have a variety of causes, it's best to check with your doctor if you have ongoing or lingering issues. Some of the causes of knee pain include an anterior cruciate ligament tear, attributed to sudden changes in the joint's direction. Patellar tendinitis may affect soccer players who play often and suffer from pain due to repeated overuse of the knee. Your knee pain could be attributed to patellofemoral joint syndrome, a condition where the kneecap doesn't glide over the femur efficiently and results in locking and pain.

Symptoms

Depending on the cause of your pain, you may experience it in different ways. If your pain is the result of an ACL tear, you'll feel a sharp pain when you go to kick the ball and that pain will not subside until you rest your knee. When patellar tendinitis results in knee pain, you'll feel a constant throbbing or numbing sensation just below the kneecap. If atellofemoral joint syndrome is the culprit, you may experience pain on either side of your knee, along with a locking sensation when you extend your knee to make a kick.

Treatment

In most cases, the best treatment for knee pain is using the rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) formula. Knee pain is greatly alleviated by rest, especially when it's the result of an ACL tear or patellar tendinitis. Inflammation and tears can be reduced and healed through proper rest of the knee. Playing while in pain could exacerbate your symptoms or cause long-term damage. Patellofemoral joint syndrome is usually treated through a combination of physical therapy and bracing the knee 1. However, in some cases surgery is required to reduce the amount of lateral pull on the knee joint.

Prevention

When it comes to knee pain, prevention is the best medicine. Practicing your kicking technique can help you avoid strain injuries. When you kick the ball, your knee should never snap for the most power. Instead of kicking with your toe, cushion the ball against the inside of your foot to protect your knee. When you kick, keep your knee soft. Avoid repetitive use injuries by giving your knee sufficient rest after a practice or game. When you start to feel pain, stop playing and visit your doctor to get treatment before the condition becomes worse.