Your knee is a complicated joint carrying out various activities and body weight. It means whether you are old or young, active or inactive, there are many ways your knee may end up injured. Based on the cause of the condition, knee injuries can be treated at home or, in severe cases, require the attention of a medical professional to heal promptly and effectively. Scroll down to discover more about the common types and treatments of knee injuries.
Common Knee Injuries and Ways to Treat Them
The knee is the largest joint of the body that involves bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments to work together to facilitate the movement of your legs. If you are experiencing sudden or prolonged knee pain, there are chances that you are suffering from one of the common knee injuries.
Here we have listed some types, their causes, and how to address them:
- Knee fractures
The knee has different bones that may be fractured due to sudden blows or falls. The patella, also called the kneecap, is fractured easily as it is right across the joints. It will make the first contact with the accidents and protect the knee from further damage. Studies show that women are more affected by fractures than men due to low bone density.
How to treat: Treatments will be suggested based on the fracture type. A simple fracture requires the person to wear a cast and keep the affected area immobile to heal. In certain cases, when the knee bone is dislocated from its original position, surgery will be suggested to reposition and stabilize them in place.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is characterized by injuries caused by accidental falls and landing so hard or stretching the ACL tightly over the kneecap. It plays a crucial role in maintaining the elasticity of knees. Symptoms of the condition include popping noise, pain, and instability. Research shows that ACL injuries are the most prevalent (20%) among knee injuries.
How to treat: When the ACL is mildly sprained, it requires rest, ice, and compression bandages. The doctor might suggest surgery to reconstruct the injured area if it’s completely torn.
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries
The posterior Cruciate Ligament is located at the back of the knee, connecting the femur bone and shinbone. The injury might occur when a concussion impacts the knee, or the person bends the knee due to sports or vehicle accidents.
How to treat: Similar to ACL injuries, it will heal independently, and ample rest is required. However, when the injury is severe, seeking immediate medical assistance and even surgery is important.
- Meniscus tear
The menisci are the two parts of cartilage in bones that provide a cushion between the knee and other bones. At the time of rough sports activities, a meniscus tear may occur. However, it is also common in older people as the cartilage gets thin and weakens as they age.
How to treat: If the knee joints are stable and strong, the meniscus tear can be treated with simple rest and individualized physical therapy. However, if the condition makes it challenging for you to move or put your weight on joints, surgery might be recommended to resolve it.
- Knee dislocation
A knee dislocation occurs when the knee bones come out of place without breaking. Simply put, the knee bone will move out of alignment. It can occur when your knee joints face a large impact, such as a strong collision, car accident, sudden fall, or other abnormalities.
How to treat: The initial treatment involves moving the bones back to their position by immobilizing the knee for a few days and taking prescribed medications. If the dislocation doesn’t heal or happens often, surgery will be required to position the bones properly.
- Bursitis
Bursae, the tiny fluid sacs in the knee, provide cushioning and lubrication to the joints. The individual has developed bursitis if there is any inflammation in the bursae. It occurs due to the overuse of knee joints.
How to treat: Bursitis is commonly treated with rest. In certain cases, the accumulation of excess fluid will cause swelling in the knee joints. Affected individuals will need aspiration to eliminate the fluid.
- Collateral ligament tears
The collateral ligaments in the knee joints aid in holding the bones in place. When exposed to a lot of force, like at the time sports (football), it will result in injury. Collateral ligament tear injuries are divided into grades 1, 2, and 3, which involve a specific treatment plan according to the root cause.
How to treat: Grade one and two collateral ligament tears require ample rest, ice, and physical therapy to heal. At the same time, grade three injuries need surgery to cure properly as it involves severe damage to the collateral ligament.
- Iliotibial band syndrome
The iliotibial band is a thick connective tissue extending between the outside of your thigh and your knee. The condition usually happens when your heel strikes the pavement, which is common in runners.
How to treat: You need to stop moving and rest the leg to recover from the condition. Focusing on physical therapy will restore flexibility and prevent any further injury in the future.
- Tendonitis
The tendons are considered the strong bands of fibrous tissues that attach the leg muscles to the knee bones. When there is any inflammation in these tendons because of excess stress or pressure, it will result in patellar tendinitis. It is also known as a jumper’s knee, as it is common among athletes.
How to treat: Anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy are effective treatment plans to heal the condition. However, if there is the development of scar tissue due to swelling, surgery might be recommended.
Conclusion
The knee’s numerous parts and sensitive nature make it highly prone to injuries. Even though you can identify the symptoms of the condition, only the specialist can determine the exact cause and treatment.
Therefore, if you are experiencing any knee pain or injuries, it is important to seek the consultation of an orthopedic specialist as soon as possible. They will suggest an early diagnosis and proper knee injury treatment plan to help you return to the active lifestyle track as soon as possible.