Why Does a Hard Hit to the Knee Make You Feel Sick?

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SUMMARY

A hard hit to the knee can cause an individual to lose balance and drop to the ground due to the knee's critical role in maintaining stability. The sensation of sickness following such an impact is attributed to the release of endogenous opioids, which serve as natural pain relievers but can also induce dizziness and nausea. This physiological response is common after experiencing significant pain from an injury.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of human anatomy, particularly the role of the knee in balance.
  • Knowledge of pain response mechanisms, including endogenous opioids.
  • Familiarity with the concept of proprioception and its importance in maintaining stability.
  • Basic understanding of the physiological effects of acute pain on the body.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the anatomy of the knee and its functions in balance and stability.
  • Explore the role of endogenous opioids in pain management and their side effects.
  • Investigate proprioception and its impact on physical coordination and injury response.
  • Learn about common injuries related to knee impacts and their physiological effects.
USEFUL FOR

Individuals interested in human physiology, sports medicine professionals, physical therapists, and anyone seeking to understand the body's response to acute injuries.

SkepticJ
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Why is it that if you get hit just right and hard on the knee you drop to the ground and feel like you're going to throw up or weird at least?
 
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SkepticJ said:
Why is it that if you get hit just right and hard on the knee you drop to the ground and feel like you're going to throw up or weird at least?

I thought only us "Joiseyans" were skilled in the fine art of knee cap breaking. :biggrin:

As for dropping to the ground, that's the easy answer. When you get hit in the knee, you lose your balance. Since the motion of your knee is important for keeping yourself stable while standing, the right strike to the knee prevents you from correcting your balance and catching yourself from falling.

As for the sick feeling, I can only guess. I'm assuming when you get hit hard enough to fall, it also hurts like heck. The sick feeling would then be the same reason you'd feel sick after any really painful injury...the rush of endogenous opioids that works as an analgesic can also make you feel a bit dizzy and/or nauseous.
 

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