Musculotendinous injuries about the athletically active middle-aged knee

As the number of athletically active middle-aged individuals grows, these patients may present with injuries previously found in younger athletes or injuries unique to their age group. Physiologic age-related changes to the musculutendinous unit may predispose to more frequent injury, altered healing responses, and potential delay in recovery. This article reviews these changes and common musculotendinous injuries around the knee of the middle-aged athlete. With a better understanding of these processes, the physician should be able to make timely, accurate diagnoses with appropriate and cost-effective treatment and rehabilitative recommendations.