Knee Conditions - KV Healthcare (2024)

Knee injuries can affect various tissues, including ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, and muscles. Common causes include falls, twisting motions, or high-impact events like car accidents. Common knee injuries include fractures, dislocations, tears, and sprains. Proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

Pain, swelling, and stiffness are typical signs of knee injury. Without prompt care, injuries can worsen and lead to joint damage.

Rapid pain and swelling require immediate evaluation. Diagnosis involves physical examination and X-rays.

Mild injuries can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs, and excess fluid may need to be drained. Physical therapy, exercises, and strengthening may be recommended. For persistent pain, cortisone injections may be considered, though they can weaken cartilage over time. Severe cases may require surgery followed by rehabilitation.

Injury to any of these structures can cause knee instability. Common causes include sudden twisting, meniscus tears, ligament or capsule tears, osteoarthritis, and sports injuries. Damaged tissues can cause the patella (kneecap) to move out of its groove, leading to instability.

Pain, swelling, and stiffness are typical signs of knee injury. Without prompt care, injuries can worsen and lead to joint damage.

Your doctor will assess knee stability through a physical exam and may order imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) for confirmation.

Initial treatment includes R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation), physical therapy, and bracing. Pain-relieving medications may help. If conservative treatments fail, surgery may be needed to repair or reconstruct the joint, including the possibility of replacing damaged parts with a prosthesis.

A knee sprain occurs when the ligaments supporting the knee are overstretched or torn, often due to twisting or forceful movements.

Pain, swelling, bruising, warmth, restricted movement, and increased pain when moving the knee.

Common causes include sudden twisting, abrupt stops while running, direct knee impact, or falls. Risk factors include sports participation (e.g., skiing), poor coordination, and lack of flexibility or strength.

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and may use X-rays or MRI scans for confirmation.

After R.I.C.E., your doctor may recommend a sling, brace, or physical therapy, including strengthening and stretching exercises. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help with pain and swelling.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) stabilizes the knee by connecting the femur and tibia, preventing the tibia from sliding forward. It works with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) to provide knee stability.

Injury may cause a popping sound, knee swelling, and instability, especially during twisting movements.

ACL tears typically occur from sudden twisting, hyperextension, or rapid direction changes, common in sports like football.

Diagnosis involves a physical exam, medical history, and tests like X-rays or MRIs.

The meniscus is a wedge-shaped cartilage between the thighbone and shinbone that stabilizes the knee and acts as a shock absorber.

A meniscal tear occurs when the knee is suddenly bent or twisted, common in athletes. Older adults may experience degenerative tears as cartilage weakens with age.

A meniscal tear occurs when the knee is suddenly bent or twisted, common in athletes. Older adults may experience degenerative tears as cartilage weakens with age.

Your doctor will examine your knee and review your symptoms and medical history to determine the best treatment.

The knee is a complex joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It connects the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone) and is stabilized by ligaments, including the medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

Knee problems can occur from overuse or sudden trauma, especially in sports. Common causes of knee injury include:

Consult a doctor if you hear a popping sound or experience severe pain and instability.

Knee arthritis occurs when the smooth articular cartilage in the joint wears out, causing pain as the bone ends rub together. The most common form is osteoarthritis, which typically develops with aging and use.

Knee arthritis leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and decreased mobility. X-rays may show reduced joint space and bone spurs, and the knee may be swollen or deformed.

Doctors diagnose arthritis through medical history, physical examination, and X-rays. There is no blood test for arthritis.

The knee consists of the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap), with ligaments, muscles, and cartilage that enable stability and movement. Menisci act as shock absorbers between the bones.

Diagnosis involves a physical exam, medical history, and imaging tests (X-rays, MRI, CT). Blood tests or arthrocentesis may be used to detect infection or gout.

Knee dislocation occurs when the femur (thighbone) separates from the tibia (shinbone), potentially causing damage to nerves, blood vessels, and ligaments.

Knee dislocations are rare and typically result from high-impact injuries, such as car accidents, severe falls, or sports.

Initial treatment includes applying ice and elevating the knee to reduce swelling. A brace may be used for stability. Surgery might be required to repair damaged ligaments, blood vessels, or nerves.

A fracture is a break in the bone, commonly caused by high-energy trauma in younger individuals and weak bones in older adults. Knee fractures can involve the femur (thighbone) or tibia (shinbone).

Diagnosis involves medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to determine the fracture’s location and severity.

Surgical complications may include infection, knee stiffness, delayed healing, and arthritis.

Stress fractures of the knee, especially the patella, are rare, affecting about 2 out of 10,000 athletes. Symptoms include activity-related pain, followed by fatigue stress fractures or insufficiency fractures after previous knee surgery.

Worsening anterior knee pain and a popping sound if the fracture displaces.

X-rays may appear normal, and further tests like bone scans or MRIs are needed for confirmation.

Runner’s knee refers to pain around or under the kneecap (patella). It’s common in athletes like runners, jumpers, and cyclists. The pain can be linked to conditions such as patellofemoral malalignment and chondromalacia patella.

The main symptom is a dull ache under the kneecap, especially when walking upstairs, squatting, or sitting with bent knees.