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Common Knee Injuries

Few parts of the body are as instrumental for movement, mobility, exercise, and athletic achievement as the knee. If an injury compromises the stability of the knee, simply walking from room to room becomes difficult—let alone running a marathon or keeping up with your weekly ultimate frisbee league. This month, the knee is our spotlight topic, which means we’re looking at some of the most common conditions that affect the knee.

ACL Injuries: The anterior cruciate ligament is a critical ligament in the knee. It is also the site of one of the most common knee injuries. ACL injuries usually take the form of partial or complete tears in the ligament tissue. This kind of injury is especially common among athletes in sports that involve lots of sudden stops or changes in direction, such as soccer or basketball. A torn ACL can impair or entirely compromise the stability of the knee, leading to pain, loss of motion, swelling, and a feeling that the knee is about to “give out.” Treatment can range from rest and ice to surgical repair procedures.

Cartilage Injuries: Cartilage is the rubbery tissue at the ends of joints that helps to absorb shock and reduce friction. Injuries to the cartilage in your knees, therefore, can lead to significant pain and discomfort, limited range of motion, or even a feeling that the knee is locking up. Injuries involving knee cartilage can include meniscus tears, dislocations, infections, inflammation, and impact injuries. The cartilage in the knees also often deteriorates with age, especially for lifelong athletes. Depending on the severity, treatment options may include rest, physical therapy, arthroscopic surgery to repair the cartilage or full knee replacement.

Knee Tendinitis: Knee tendinitis, or patellar tendinitis, occurs when there is an injury to or inflammation of the knee tendon that links the kneecap and shinbone. It is also referred to as “jumper’s knee,” as this type of injury is extremely common in jump-heavy sports such as basketball and volleyball. The injury is most commonly caused by overuse, hence its frequency of occurrence in athletes who repeatedly put stress on the knees by jumping. Over time, this stress results in small tears in the tendon, which cause inflammation, soreness, swelling, burning, and tenderness around the knee. When severe enough, knee tendinitis can significantly weaken the knee and begin to impair function. Athletes who suffer from the condition will typically experience the worst pain after intense exercise. A severe jumper’s knee will make it difficult to jump, to climb stairs, or even to get up out of a chair. Treatment options include rest, stretching, and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee, nonsteroidal medication, and potentially surgery.

If you are experiencing chronic knee pain, or have recently begun to feel soreness in your knees after workouts, any of these three conditions could be to blame. Consult our doctors at Landa Spine & Orthopedic Center to learn more about your injury, get a firm diagnosis, and lay out a plan for recovery and treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.