Atlanta Falcons’ Defensive End’s Meniscus Tear (+ How It Could’ve Been Avoided)

If you watched last Sunday’s Falcons-Cardinals game, you know that DE Adrian Clayborn of the Atlanta Falcons was taken out due to a knee injury. The Falcons have since reported that he suffered a partial meniscus tear, and will be out for at least a month.

And it’s not just him; everyday, it seems like we hear of a new injury. At Healthpointe, we love our athletes,  so this got us thinking: why don’t we spread the love, and share some of our favorite time-tested tips for all you athletes out there? And since football season is upon us, we’ll tailor it just for football players.  So, in between games, just sit back, relax, and learn a few tricks from this guide on football injuries:

An orthopedic perspective on Sunday’s game:

In order to understand how the Falcons could have spared the injury, we need to understand what a meniscus tear is:

A meniscus tear is a tear of a ligament located in the front of the knee (which serves to “cushion” the joint) caused by sudden injury or blunt force trauma. When the ligaments endure too much stress, they may weaken, pinch, and tear. Athletes prone to tears often perform vigorous exercise without proper conditioning.

How can a tear be avoided?

Proper stretching – especially before games – is crucial, but sometimes, no matter what precautions you take, a tear is inevitable in the NFL. However, permanent injury doesn’t have to be. What Clayborn did right after the injury, and what he will do for the next several weeks, could determine the outcome.

The minute you suspect a severe injury such as a tear, stop playing. Take pressure off the knee, and use ice and elevation to reduce pain and swelling. See a doctor immediately, and do what he or she tells you to. Seriously, do it. Proper, expedited treatment, such as surgery to re-connect the ligament, will help speed the healing process and strengthen the knee.

Want to learn more?

For more information on sports medicine, call 888-719-8448  or contact any of the Healthpointe clinics, such as the Anaheim clinic near Fullerton, Placentia, Villa Park, Buena Park, Cypress, Cerritos, and Garden Grove.

About Healthpointe:

Healthpointe offers medical services in practice locations throughout Southern California (Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and Riverside County, including La Mirada by Whittier, La Habra, Norwalk, Cerritos, Buena Park, and Santa Fe Springs. For more information, a complete list of services, and Healthpointe locations, visit Healthpointe.net.