Knee injuries can take weeks or months to recover from and can result in long-term damage. Sprains, strains, tendonitis, fractures, dislocations, and arthritis are all possible knee problems. Following sports medicine guidelines and seeking medical treatment is important for recovery.
A knee injury can be painful to experience and recover from. Depending on the type of injury, it can take weeks or months to recover, and in some cases, the knee may never be the same again. The knee itself is a joint, but surrounding the joint are muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can be damaged by impact or trauma, resulting in injury.
When a knee injury is the result of stretched or torn ligaments, it is also called a sprain. There are four ligaments in the knee area that connect the femur to the tibia. An injury resulting from tearing one of these ligaments is classified by the type of ligament sprain. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is located along the inside of the knee. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sits along the outside of the knee, keeping the outside of the knee stable. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur and tibia in the middle of the knee and controls rotation and forward motion. An ACL tear is common in athletes. Finally, the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located at the back of the knee.
A sprain may be evident by a popping or clicking sound, knee pain, swelling, or an inability to put weight on the leg. Similar symptoms result from strains, which is a type of injury that results from partial or complete tearing of a muscle or tendon surrounding the knee.
In addition to a sprain or strain, both of which are common injuries, other knee problems such as tendonitis or inflammation of the tendons, fractures and dislocations are possible. A fracture involves broken, cracked, or even crushed bone and is diagnosed with X-ray imaging. The knee can also experience cartilage injury, which involves breaking off a small piece of cartilage at the end of a bone.
An individual may also suffer from knee arthritis or inflammation of the knee joint. Sometimes this inflammation is acute or short-lived and is the result of an injury. In some cases, it is a chronic problem and is the result of a permanent condition rather than a specific injury.
To avoid knee injuries during physical activity, it is important to follow sports medicine guidelines and adequately stretch muscles and tendons before and after physical activity. Orthopedic and sports medicine doctors can treat these injuries. Treatment will range from keeping the knee tightly wrapped to reduce range of motion while the injury heals to surgery. The type of treatment obviously depends on the type and severity of the injury.
If you injure your knee and experience symptoms such as swelling, immobility, and pain, or feel a popping or popping sound, see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
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