< PreviousCAround Your Town Around Your Town 10 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2021 In the summer of 2020, many stages were left empty and fans of live music were forced to stay indoors due to the spread of COVID-19. As a result, musicians weren’t able to bring people together for a live concert experience. This summer, however, local communities are seeing a return to concerts and coming together over a shared love of music, food and fun. With warm weather arriving and restrictions lifting across the commonwealth, boroughs and townships are once again inviting communities outdoors for concerts and festivals. With space to distance, the format is one that organizers have found to be successful. “Outside events are what seemed to work best when planning for this season,” said Jane Tallon, activities coordinator for the Township of Robinson. “Not knowing what restrictions would be in place, we found this would be the best way to provide social distancing.” Planning has taken a dramatic turn since last summer, when many events were either cancelled, broadcast on Zoom or took on a drive-through format. “Parents had to adapt to so much, with Santa Claus drive-bys and Easter Bunny drive-bys going through the neighborhood,” said Tallon. Planning for festivals and concerts is increasingly easier for local communities due to the increased number of vaccinations in western Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, over 65% of Allegheny County has at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, one of the highest in the state. With a higher number of people able to unmask and gather, it is becoming easier to plan for concerts and similar events this summer and beyond. “People are ready to get out,” said Cara Mason, who organizes the Second Saturdays concert series in Coraopolis. “We are happy to have this beautiful weather to be able to be outside. People can still socially distance themselves if they want, but we are looking forward to giving people an opportunity to get together.” With less risk of spreading the coronavirus, park organizers are also noticing that audiences are feeling more comfortable with socializing and joining the fun. “We are excited for the bigger crowds and that people are starting to feel more comfortable being outside,” said Andrew Bott, assistant director of parks and recreation for Moon Park. “We have also seen a major uptake in people coming to the park, whether that be for events or just using some of our facilities around the park.” For musicians, the return to normal also marks a long awaited return to the stage. A former resident of Coraopolis, Byron Nash was able to bring his guitar playing back to the borough during Second Saturdays and give audiences a taste of the live music they were craving during the pandemic. “The best part about [playing live] is having the kids come up after you’re done playing and seeing the older people enjoy the music as much as someone younger,” said Nash. For Ashley Marina of Kennedy Township, who was featured on Season 15 of “America’s Got Talent” before the pandemic began, a recent performance she gave at Robinson’s Burkett Park provided her with a chance to bring her skills back to the stage. “It’s actually really cool because I haven’t been able to play for an open audience for awhile,” said Ashley. “This is one of the first performances I’ve been able to do since everything opened back up.” That energy is something that David Goettman, singer and guitarist for Bleach Fuzz, enjoyed capturing at a recent performance during the Moon Rocks Saturday Nights concert series. While the pandemic opened opportunities for him to do some more songwriting, the band was longing for the audience feedback again. “It’s great to be back playing in front of a live audience again,” said Goettman. “There’s nothing like the energy that comes from a live performance.” As the pandemic was raging last year, many musicians were working on their craft during their time indoors and found new ways to play and improve their styles. For many, this took the form of songwriting and solo performances. Local musicians help bring communities back together after COVID-19 STORY AND PHOTOS BY GARRET ROBERTS People gather at Burkett Park in Robinson Township to listen to a free concert by Ashley Marina on June 19. David Goettman (left), singer and guitarist for Bleach Fuzz, performs in Moon Park while Byron Nash (right) performs in downtown Coraopolis during Second Saturdays. CAround Your Town Around Your Town July/August 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 11 “Just because you can’t play at concerts doesn’t mean that the music stops,” said Nash. “It’s about an artist making sure they are versatile, that they can do anything anytime, anywhere, no matter what happens.” “I spent a lot of time trying to write songs while in the pandemic,” said Ashley. “We were all finding things that we wanted to do because there wasn’t a lot to do when we were stuck in our houses all the time. So, I spent most of that time songwriting.” In addition to practice, the pandemic also brought a bigger appreciation of the energy that venues can provide. As indoor concerts are slowly starting to open again across the nation, it’s something artists are excited to experience again. “Our hope for the future is that we’ll get back in the full swing of playing live shows regularly,” said Goettman. “We’re hoping that the establishments that hire live bands will be able to get back at it.” With the need for masks disappearing, artists are also excited to go from being virtual icons to seeing fans’ faces again. “I was emotional. It was like ‘Oh my god, these are people!’ Getting to perform for them is such an honor,” said Nash. “It definitely took some adjusting while on stage.” Whether community events or concerts, the future looks more social, with less distancing, as things continue in 2021. For upcoming local concerts this summer, visit www.moonparks. org, townshipofrobinson.com and coraopolisfoundation.org. A mobile version of local live music listings taking place around the area is also available on the AWMag Events App at awmagazine. com. Check the live music heading in the Summer Fun Guide section. Ashley Marina performs at Burkett Park (above) while concert-goers gather to hear Bleach Fuzz in Moon Park (below). CAround Your Town Around Your Town 12 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2021 For the past three years, Montour art teacher Natalie Rush has been working on writing and illustrating a children’s book. Then when COVID hit last year, the pandemic provided the impetus for her to finally finish it. “The book is about trying to stay in touch long distance, and finding a way to stay connected,” says Rush. “I thought it was appropriate with these times of the pandemic, when we were all trying to stay connected but also had to stay isolated from each other.” The book, which is inspired by her family’s own experience, tells the story of two pairs of sisters who become close friends over the course of four years. At the end of that time period, the siblings have to part ways when the father of one pair is reassigned within the Coast Guard. The sad but heartwarming tale of friendship is one that Rush’s own daughters experienced after they became friends with another set of siblings. It’s an experience similar to one that many children go through during their school years, as they develop close bonds only to have them broken. “I believe there are a lot of students who go through that,” says Rush. Though the book focuses on a family moving under a particular set of circumstances, Rush thinks the book can help children address feelings of alienation in a number of different circumstances, including starting a new grade and making friends. By learning how her characters cope with their emotions, children can explore, and cope with, their own feelings. However, she says she’s already thinking about another book on the subject, one that addresses transplanted military children who often find themselves having to make new friends in new environments. An art teacher of 24 years, Rush created the illustrations for her book using colored pencil and pastels. She then scanned her illustrations and sent the digital copies to her nephew, Gabe Enck, a graphic designer. Gabe then assembled the book using Natalie’s writing and drawings. Currently, Natalie teaches art at Montour Elementary School and Montour High School. She graduated from Seton Hill University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and her teaching certification in art. She also holds a Master of Education and early childhood certification from Carlow University. Rush’s book, which is titled “You Can Always Find a Way,” is available at Amazon.com. Montour teacher pens children’s book Dennis McMahon (also pictured at right) was a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the late 1980s. PHOTOS SUBMITTED STORY BY DOUG HUGHEYSTORY BY DOUG HUGHEY Dennis McMahon of Robinson Township experienced combat four times during the 20 years that he was in the Army, after serving in both Operation Desert Shield and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His most difficult assignment, however, came well before that, when he was just 23 years old and volunteered to be a sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. “Only about 20% of the guards who go there make it,” he says, referring to soldiers who volunteer for the post. “Physically, mentally, you have to be fit. You’re learning how to be out there in front of people. The discipline, the honor, it’s hard to describe. I still get chills when I go there, thinking I did that.” This year marks the centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, which was established in 1921 to honor American soldiers lost in Europe during World War I. In honor of the anniversary, The Society of the Honor Guard, which is made up of former sentinels and their family members, are making efforts to raise awareness of the tomb. In this area, the Rome Exchange Club of Georgia is planning to display a replica of the tomb at the Butler Farm Show from Aug. 9-11. The club is touring across the U.S. with the replica at events that will be attended by society members who will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the tomb’s history. “When they go places, they try to get as many tomb guards there as possible,” says McMahon. In this area alone, he says there are over a half dozen former sentinels. “Once you’re a tomb guard, you’re always a tomb guard,” he says. “Only a few a year get awarded. It’s the second least awarded badge in the military.” He says society members also visit VFW posts, schools, American Legion posts and other organizations to talk about the memorial and their service. McMahon joined the Army right out of high school in 1983 and, during the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan in 1984, was selected to serve in a prominent position during the ceremonies. He says he thinks he got picked because he was tall. He then volunteered to become a tomb sentinel in 1987 and underwent three months of training. “During those months you’re doing nothing but training,” he says. “You’re learning the routine of the sentinels, how to shine shoes, prepare your uniform and learning the background of Arlington. Once you’re efficient enough, you get to go and walk in the morning when no one’s out there. After four or five months of that, you’ll get a regular rotation.” Local veteran among rarified group of Tomb of the Unknown Soldier sentinels raising awareness on centennial CAround Your Town Around Your Town July/August 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 13 Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is considered a sacred duty and those who perform it follow an exacting and physically demanding routine. Sentinels guard the tomb 24 hours per day and each watch consists of three sentinels who relieve each other either one hour or every half hour, depending on the season, McMahon says. While guarding, sentinels march 21 steps south along a black mat laid across the ground. They then face east toward the tomb for 21 seconds. After that, they turn, face north, change their weapon to the outside shoulder and wait 21 seconds. They march 21 steps down the mat, then turn and face east for 21 seconds. Finally, they face south, change weapons to the outside shoulder and wait another 21 seconds. Sentinels repeat this process until relieved. The number 21 is significant because it corresponds with the highest military honor awarded. Sentinels also do not wear insignias so as not to outrank the soldiers interred at the monument. Three fallen service members are currently interred at the tomb from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. A soldier who served in Vietnam was also interred there until his remains were identified through DNA testing in 1998 and he was moved to a family gravesite. McMahon says sentinels follow a three-day routine. After working one full 24-hour day, they get the following day off to recover. They then get a second day off, but that day is usually dedicated to training, he says. The following day they return to duty. Despite their stoic appearance, tomb sentinels are not just there for show. McMahon says they will confront intruders or those being disrespectful. No one is allowed inside the chains surrounding the mat, and sentinels will intercept anyone who attempts to approach the monument. It is a military guard post. McMahon, though, says that “the weird things don’t happen very often.” He can recall only one time when he witnessed a sentinel having to physically confront someone. He says he’d just been relieved when the sentinel on duty had to stop a man who wanted to touch the tomb. For some reason, the man couldn’t seem to grasp the fact that he wasn’t allowed to do that and the sentinel responded by delivering a blow with the butt-end of his rifle, as the man just would not listen to requests to stop. Proper channels are available for those who would like to pay their respects by placing a wreath at the tomb. McMahon says this is often done by school groups. A sign-up is available through the Arlington National Cemetery website, though McMahon warns the list tends to be long. The president or vice president also places a wreath at the tomb on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. McMahon says he personally never got to guard on a Memorial Day, as his relief was off on those days, but he says he did get to meet a U.S. president during another chance meeting. While on detail on the South Lawn of the White House in 1985, he took a break with some secret service agents. “We were out setting up for a monthly presidential dinner and it was like 105 degrees,” he recalls. “The secret service guys brought us in and gave us some water, then all of a sudden Ronald Reagan came strolling in and just sat down.” He says Reagan asked each of them about their military service and why they joined. “I couldn’t believe it,” he says. “I’m this 21-year-old kid sitting there talking with the president. He just wanted to talk.” McMahon served as a sentinel at the tomb from 1987 to 1988. He later went from the Army into intelligence and retired in 2004. He has worked for the government for the past 17 years. Last year, he and his wife, Lisa, moved from Butler to Robinson Township. McMahon suggests that teachers or anyone else interested in learning more about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier visit www.arlingtoncemetery.mil, where there is an educational toolkit available. Requests can also be made by groups for a visit from the Society of the Honor Guard to deliver an educational presentation about the tomb. For more, visit tombguard.org.CAround Your Town Around Your Town 14 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2021 Though we may not often appreciate it, many of the products that we use on a daily basis - from smart phones to cars - are comprised of many complicated parts that have gone through lengthy manufacturing processes. From the design phase all the way to manufacturing the final product, many of those parts are oftentimes shipped from multiple locations as they are molded, heat treated, tested and finally used in assembly. Further testing can lead to design tweaks and even longer manufacturing wait times. Advancements in 3D printing technology, however, are changing the way many companies think about the manufacturing process. The day may quickly be coming when some companies will prefer to simply manufacture parts in-house, and thereby cut down on the time and money that it costs to develop prototypes and final products. “When you print the part, instead of waiting three months or six months to get the part, in two days you have your part tested, [and you can say] ‘Oh, let’s make a little adjustment,’” says Philip Moslener, corporate vice president of advanced technologies for the Pittsburgh-based company Wabtec. Wabtec, which is part of the same Westinghouse company that was founded in Pittsburgh 150 years ago, takes its name from Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation. The company makes products for rail-based transportation, including freight and passenger lines. After merging with GE Transportation in 2018, the company moved its base of operations from Wilmerding to Pittsburgh’s North Shore. In June, Wabtec also became the first company to open a 3D manufacturing facility at Neighborhood 91, a new industrial park located at Pittsburgh International Airport. Moslener says the facility is the company’s fourth 3D printing operation, though it’s the first dedicated to printing parts in aluminum. In addition to Wabtec, Rusal America, which produces powdered aluminum additives for 3D printing, is also opening a facility at Neighborhood 91. Arencibia, which produces and recycles gases used in 3D manufacturing, is to take up residence at Neighborhood 91 as well. David Storer, director of business development for the Allegheny County Airport Authority, says Neighborhood 91 was built specifically to cater to additive manufacturing. He says the airport authority is pushing to attract more companies involved in the additive manufacturing ecosystem as well as industries that can benefit from it. “We’re not going to be industry specific,” he says. “We’re looking to attract anyone who can benefit from additive manufacturing - and many industries can. It’s just that process of co-locating and being able to do it faster and cheaper.” Former state Sen. Matt Smith, who is now president of the Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce and also serves on the Allegheny County Airport Authority board of directors, says the idea is to bring everything needed for additive manufacturing to one place. “Everything you need is going to be here on the campus,” he says. “With 3D and additive printing, it’ll be one continuous cycle that exists completely on this campus. So, you’re not going to have to make something here, send it somewhere else, have it ship back here. Everything will be vertically integrated so you can just push it out.” In remarks delivered at an event held to mark the opening of Wabtec’s facilities, Allegheny County Airport Authority CEO Christina Cassotis said that Neighborhood 91 is the first of its kind in the country. Cassotis, who developed the idea for the advanced manufacturing site, said the idea came from consulting with various community members and stakeholders involved in 3D printing an additive manufacturing. “We have these world leading universities in CMU and Pitt that are doing the kind of research into artificial intelligence and robotics - which basically is 3D printing and advanced manufacturing - and we’ve got all of this foundation support at Hazelwood Green for R&D - production makes sense as the next part of the additive manufacturing chain,” she said. “So, we stepped forward and thought, how can we act as a strategic landlord? How do we develop this land so that we can attract all parts of the additive manufacturing industry, which is new and looking for a home in the U.S.?” Eric Gebhardt, Wabtec’s chief technology officer, said in his own remarks that the company will be printing large-scale, aluminum lightweight parts at the facility for customers. In remarks, he also emphasized the collaborative process behind Neighborhood 91. Neighborhood 91 sets stage for revolution in manufacturing STORY AND PHOTOS BY DOUG HUGHEY ABOVE: Eric Gebhardt, Wabtec chief technology officer, cuts a ceremonial ribbon at the company’s new additive manufacturing facility at Neighborhood 91 on June 8. To his right are Christina Cassotis, CEO of the Allegheny County Airport Authority, and Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald. BELOW: Philip Moslener, corporate vice president of advanced technologies for Wabtec, delivers remarks in front of a SLM 800 printer that the company will be using to print parts in aluminum. CAround Your Town Around Your Town July/August 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 15 “It brings together people from academia, industry, to pull together the best capabilities to really have an incubator to drive this forward,” Gebhardt said. “And, the members of this community, of Neighborhood 91, will be sharing ideas, testing theories, really advancing everything going forward.” Wabtec’s facility has been outfitted with a SLM 800 printer that has a number of efficiencies built into it. Moslener says that instead of releasing argon gas that’s used during printing into the atmosphere, the gas is captured and recycled. The printer also recovers upwards of 95% of its leftover aluminum powder, which can then be used for a subsequent print. Moslener says that to print a part, argon gas, which is non-reactive, is pumped into a chamber. Lasers then weld thin layers of powdered aluminum - which is usually explosive in an oxygenated environment - together. The weld plate is then dropped a matter of microns and another thin layer of aluminum spread on top. That next layer gets welded on top of the last one. The process repeats thousands of times until the part is complete. The part is then pushed onto a conveyor system and removed by a technician. Though printing one part can take a day or more, those who work for Wabtec say the process is still more efficient than traditional manufacturing. Peter Bocchini, a Wabtec site manager, says the process is also less labor intensive, particularly when it comes to milling parts. “If you were in a conventional machine shop and you were running that 24/7, you would have to run three eight-hour shifts with three different technicians running that machine,” he says. “With the printer, we only need the engineer to be at the machine during set up and breakout.” Storer says that Neighborhood 91 currently has two buildings constructed and that the airport authority is planning to break ground on more soon. ABOVE: An SLM 800 printer at Wabtec’s Neighborhood 91 facility utilizes lasers that weld together ultra-thin layers of powdered aluminum in a chamber filled with argon gas. BELOW: These aluminum parts were all printed at Wabtec’s Neighborhood 91 facility. 16 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2021 y > Learning Curves Learning Curves Michele P. Conti is an estate planning and elder law attorney. Conti attended Allegheny College in Meadville, Oxford University and Duquesne University School of Law. She received her LL.M. in taxation from Villanova University. She can be reached at (724) 784-0239 or michele@contilawpgh.com. BY MICHELE P. CONTI Planning ahead for a blended family It is likely that you or someone you know is on their second, third, or maybe even fourth marriage. Though they have found happiness more than once in their life, there are many legal complications that exist with a blended family. One such difficulty is determining who receives that person’s assets upon passing. Is it the spouse, the children from a prior relationship, the spouse’s kids or someone else? The idea of “yours, mine and ours” can fracture families. When we work with clients who have a blended family, we stress the fact that deciding who receives their wealth upon their death is essential. The challenge is satisfying everyone involved. If they do not plan correctly and view the whole picture - including retirement accounts and life insurance policies - they may unknowingly disinherit someone, whether they meant to do so or not. All too often, a former spouse also remains as the named beneficiary on an account. Regardless of what a will or trust says, the beneficiary designations trump all others. Therefore, we must be proactive when reviewing a person’s assets or else everyone, except the former spouse, will be unhappy. Another error that sometimes occurs is when a spouse names their current spouse as the primary beneficiary and their children as equal contingent beneficiaries. This is often done so that everyone will receive something. However, in this situation, the spouse receives all of the assets and is free to act as they wish. The spouse can spend all of the assets or even change the contingent beneficiaries upon receipt of the money. When a retirement account is involved, the surviving spouse inherits the account of the deceased while the contingent beneficiaries go by the wayside, even upon the surviving spouse’s death. Oftentimes, people also assume that their spouse receives everything upon their death simply because they are married. Others assume that their children receive the bulk of their estate because they are related by blood. Each of these assumptions is wrong. In Pennsylvania, when there is no will or beneficiary designation, the commonwealth provides us with the following chart to determine which beneficiary receives what percent: An easy remedy is to name both the spouse and children as beneficiaries on such an account and dole out percentages rather than an outright distribution to one person. Remarried couples often use a trust as the vehicle to spell out their wishes. If the intention is to provide income for the life of the surviving spouse, we can name the children as beneficiaries. The tricky part is naming a successor trustee. Without proper planning, the plan could fail, which is why oftentimes a corporate fiduciary is involved so that the assets remain consistent and continue to grow. What can you do if you have blended family? We can discuss your particular situation and determine the best option for you and the families involved. This may include a postnuptial agreement, a spendthrift trust or even a bloodline trust, depending on your overall wishes. There is no right answer, but there are a lot of options. We spend so much time and money planning for things like weddings, holidays and vacations, but let’s take some time to also plan for your loved ones’ futures. Doing so will ensure that the family will not be fractured upon your passing. lLegislative Update Legislative Update July/August 2021 • www.awmagazine.com • 17 State Rep. Anita Kulik State Rep. Anita Kulik represents Pennsylvania’s 45th District. Her office is located at 1350 Fifth Avenue in Coraopolis. She can be reached at (412) 264-4260. Visit her online at www.pahouse.com/ Kulik. As with so many of us, I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate the members of the Class of 2021. My best wishes to all who graduated from Montour, Avonworth, Cornell, Carlynton, Sto-Rox and Chartiers Valley, as well as Bishop Canevin, Nazareth Prep, OLSH and Propel Montour. I know this has been a very difficult year for these students. I am sure it was not the senior year they looked forward to having. I had the opportunity to talk with so many seniors over the past several months, and I know they worked hard to keep up with their class work, athletics and extracurricular activities. Their optimism through this past year has been a bright spot for all of us. I know they have exceptional futures ahead of them. As these graduates enter the world, they have so many paths available to them. Joining the workforce or attending a college or trade school are all great options. As we work in Harrisburg with the budget, we deal with funding for post-secondary schools and job training programs. Many of the colleges and universities receive special line-item funding from the state. Many of the trade and tech schools receive funding through special grants. Workforce development and training can get funding through bills and grants. With many funding options available, students can find the best programs to suit their needs and their pocketbooks. Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education schools have been on topic for some time now in Harrisburg. In our area, these would include California University, Clarion University and Edinboro University. These are state-funded colleges and universities that offer high quality education at an affordable cost. Consideration is being made by the board as to whether some of these colleges and universities should be consolidated to keep the system afloat. There is much debate in the legislature as to whether consolidation is a good idea at this time. Many argue that the process should be put on hold until further consideration can be made about the consequences of consolidating these schools. Proponents for the consolidation plan argue it is the only way to save these schools and the PASSHE system. There is also concern that the state needs to better fund these schools to keep them operating. The public comment period remains open, until the board meets for a final decision at its July meeting. If you are currently enrolled or have a child enrolled or are looking at attending a PASSHE school in the future, it is a good time to contact the PASSHE board on their public comment site or contact your state representative or senator with your thoughts or concerns. Please also remember as we enter the summer months to put safety first. I recently met with members of local fire departments. A few years ago, the laws changed as to the use of fireworks and more and more fires and accidents are being handled by our departments. Please, remember to exercise caution when using fireworks as well as fire pits and grills. Much of our district sits on the banks of the Ohio River. We are fortunate to have many first responders who are trained in swift water rescues. However, we do not want to make extra work for these good people so, please practice safe boating and swimming. Capsized boats due to too many passengers are the most common accidents on our waterways. Properly sized life jackets, especially for children, are a must. Please remember not to drink alcohol while enjoying water sports. Driving a boat while under the influence is not only a crime but also poses a danger to yourself and your passengers. Note that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be out on the rivers and streams to not only enforce the law but to also keep us safe. For further information on boating safety and regulations, please contact my office. We have waited a long time for summer to open. Use common sense while enjoying these much-anticipated summer months. hangel Gabriel atholic school Archangel Gabriel catholic school archangelgabrielpgh.org | 5720 Steubenville Pike | McKees Rocks, PA 15136 | 412.787.2656 August 5-7, 2021 6 PM - 10 PM Fun for all ages! •Food Trucks • Raffle Baskets • • Games and More! • Festival SAVE THE DATE Archangel Gabriel catholic school18 • Allegheny West Magazine • July/August 2021 y > Learning CurvesLearning Curves BY GEORGE HESS, PT, DPT, COMT HESS PHYSICAL THERAPY The knee is an essential part of our anatomy, allowing us to stand upright, sit down, run, and engage in countless other activities. When healthy and strong, our knees work like an engineering masterpiece. If a knee injury occurs, even the most basic movements can quickly become extremely difficult, if not impossible, to perform. If you’re experiencing knee pain, then read on. In this column, we will discuss the basic anatomy of the knee, in addition to outlining the three most common knee injuries seen by physical therapists. Knee Injuries Ligament injuries Ligament tissues are tough, fibrous material that connect to bones - in this case, the knee bones. The four most common knee ligament injuries are found in the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), the LCL (lateral cruciate ligament), the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) or the MCL (medial collateral ligament). All of these ligaments play a role in surrounding the knee cap and connecting it to bones in the upper leg and calf areas. A ligament injury often manifests with sudden and severe pain, followed by knee-buckling and the inability to bear little or no weight on the injured extremity. Many patients report hearing a snap or popping sound coming from the knee when the injury first occurs. It’s important to seek immediate medical attention to determine the extent of the injury. Mild cases may require only RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) treatment, but more serious cases will require physical therapy and perhaps even surgery. Physical therapy goals will include working on reducing pain and inflammation, gradually increasing range of motion and, lastly, increasing strength of surrounding muscles and tissues to help support the affected ligament. Meniscus injury Each knee has two menisci, or cartilage, that provide cushioning between the thigh bone and the shinbone (in the calf). A tear to one of these pieces of cartilage typically occurs from a sudden pivot or rotation of the knee joint. Any athletic activity that involves sudden stop and pivot motions can result in a meniscus tear, but even heavy lifting or deep squatting can result in this type of injury as well. Knee menisci also tend to weaken with age, thus patients with knee arthritis may eventually experience a torn meniscus. A meniscus injury will result in pain around the kneecap, especially when touched. Many patients report hearing a popping sound when the injury first occurs. Oftentimes, a patient will feel as if their knee is locking or catching on something within, and they may feel as if their knee is about to buckle. Physical therapy can help Physical therapies include effective treatments such as laser therapy, designed to reduce pain and increase healing blood flow to the area. Therapists will gradually introduce stretches designed to maintain and eventually increase range of motion, followed by strengthening exercises for muscles that support the menisci. If you are experiencing knee pain and would like to know more about how to recover from a knee injury, please contact Hess Physical Therapy at one of our three locations: Kennedy: (412) 771-1055 | Crafton: (412) 458-3445 | Allison Park: (412) 487-2787 First, a bit about knee anatomy The knee joint is actually a modified hinge joint, meaning the joint allows one to flex and extend the leg, along with a small amount of internal and external (side-to-side) rotation. The entire knee joint consists of bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage and other vital tissues. Nearby muscles in the calf and the main supportive muscles in the upper leg - the quadriceps and the hamstrings - also play a huge role in overall knee health. While any of these components could incur an injury, the three most common injuries are patellar tendonitis, a ligament injury (to the ACL, MCL, LCL, PCL), or a meniscus (cartilage) injury. Patellar tendonitis This injury occurs when the tendon that connects the knee cap (patella) to the shinbone (in the calf) becomes inflamed. This injury is sometimes referred to as “jumper’s knee,” as the injury often occurs from excess stress placed on the knee after landing from a jumping motion. Many athletic activities require these types of movements, and obesity can also put excess stress on this tendon as well. Pain can occur in front of, on the side, or even in the back of the kneecap. It’s very important to receive prompt medical care if a person suspects they have patellar tendonitis. Without proper treatment, the tendon is likely to become weaker and weaker, with the injured person becoming increasingly unable to perform even basic movements such as climbing stairs. Both physicians and physical therapists have special tests they use to determine whether or not a patient may be experiencing patellar tendonitis. Once diagnosed, a physical therapist can first help by providing treatment that decreases inflammation and reduces pain. As the patient feels more comfortable, a physical therapist will introduce stretching exercises and then eventually work toward strengthening exercises for surrounding muscles that help support the knee cap. This information provided courtesy of George Hess DPT, COMT. He is the owner of and a physical therapist at Hess Physical Therapy. He is also the author of the book “Back To Normal.” He can be reached at his Kennedy location at 566 Pine Hollow Road, Mckees Rocks, 15136, at (412) 771-1055; his Crafton location at 37 Foster Avenue, Pittsburgh, 15205, at (412) 458-3445; or his Allison Park location at 2870 Talley Cavey Road, Allison Park, 15101, at (412) 487-2787. Email him at George@hesspt.com.Get back to normal Without medications, injections or surgery Who NEEDS to register for this FREE WORKSHOP? This is for you IF 1. You find yourself taking pain medications to get through the day (TYLENOL, ADVIL, ALEVE) 2. You are afraid to move because you fear your knee “may give out” 3. You have changed the way you do everyday activities, such as getting in and out of a vehicle, going up and down stairs, etc. What will you GET out of this FREE WORKSHOP? 1. The #1 Single Biggest Mistake that Knee Pain sufferers make that can lead straight to surgery 2. Save time and money and learn how to get your life back and choose the correct treatment for the cause of your pain 3. What successful treatment and permanent relief look like without the side effects of unnecessary medications, injections or surgery By request, we are hosting the KNEE PAIN WORKSHOP here at Hess Physical Therapy. Thursday, August 26TH • 6 PM KENNEDY TWP. OFFICE 566 Pine Hollow Road McKees Rocks, PA 15136 Call 412-453-2200 to reserve your spot. Due to the interactive nature of this workshop, we are limiting attendance to only 20 spots. CALL NOW! Only 20 spots available! Next >