Which action is recommended to avoid loading the knee during a knee-injury stretch?

Which action is recommended to avoid loading the knee during a knee-injury stretch?

• A. Increase knee flexion
• B. Do not adjust hip/knee angle
• C. Ensure alignment and avoid loading the knee
• D. Move quickly through ROM

Answer: (C)

Protecting a knee injury during stretching comes from keeping the leg in proper alignment and avoiding loading through the knee. When the knee, hip, and ankle move in a straight line and weight isn’t placed on the knee, the stretch can lengthen the surrounding muscles without pushing compressive or shear forces into the injured joint. This approach minimizes strain on damaged tissues and helps prevent aggravation. Increasing knee flexion would typically add more stress to the knee, misalignment from not adjusting hip/knee angle can cause undesirable forces, and rushing through the range increases the chance of jolts or overload. So, maintaining alignment and avoiding loading the knee is the safest, most effective choice.

Protecting a knee injury during stretching comes from keeping the leg in proper alignment and avoiding loading through the knee. When the knee, hip, and ankle move in a straight line and weight isn’t placed on the knee, the stretch can lengthen the surrounding muscles without pushing compressive or shear forces into the injured joint. This approach minimizes strain on damaged tissues and helps prevent aggravation. Increasing knee flexion would typically add more stress to the knee, misalignment from not adjusting hip/knee angle can cause undesirable forces, and rushing through the range increases the chance of jolts or overload. So, maintaining alignment and avoiding loading the knee is the safest, most effective choice.