Sept. 3, 2020 | The knees provide stable support for the body. They also allow the legs to bend and straighten. Both flexibility and stability are needed to stand, walk, run, crouch, jump, and turn. Made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles, the knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most easily injured. A fourth of adults in this country will experience frequent knee pain this year. It is the most common reason for visiting an orthopaedic surgeon. Knee injuries can occur as the result of a direct blow or sudden movements that strain the knee beyond its normal range of motion. Sometimes knees are injured slowly over time. Problems with the hips or feet, for example, can cause you to walk awkwardly, which throw off the alignment of the knees and leads to damage. Knee problems can also be the result of a lifetime of normal wear and tear. Much like the treads on a tire, the joint simply wears out over time.

Sept. 3, 2020 | There are a number of diseases can affect the knee but the most common is arthritis. Although arthritis technically means “joint inflammation,” the term is used loosely to describe many different diseases that can affect the joints. Some people with knee problems have a form of arthritis called osteoarthritis. This disease causes the cartilage to gradually wear away and changes to occur in the adjacent bone. Osteoarthritis may be caused by joint injury or being overweight. It is associated with aging and most typically begins in people age 50 or older. Rheumatoid arthritis is another type of arthritis that affects the knee. In rheumatoid arthritis, the knee becomes inflamed and cartilage may be destroyed. The kind of treatment used will depend on the form of arthritis affecting the knee. For osteoarthritis, treatment may include pain-reducing medicines such as acetaminophen or, in some cases, injections of corticosteroid medications directly into the knee joint.

Sept. 3, 2020 | Chondromalacia refers to softening of the articular cartilage of the kneecap. This disorder occurs most often in young adults and can be caused by injury, overuse, misalignment of the kneecap or muscle weakness. Instead of gliding smoothly across the lower end of the thigh bone, the kneecap rubs against it, thereby roughening the cartilage underneath the kneecap. The most frequent symptom of chondromalacia is a dull pain around or under the kneecap that worsens when walking down stairs or hills. A person may also feel pain when climbing stairs or when the knee bears weight as it straightens. The disorder is common in runners and is also seen in soccer players. Many doctors recommend that people with this knee disorder perform low-impact exercises that strengthen muscles, particularly muscles of the inner part of the quadriceps, without injuring their joints. Electrical stimulation may also be used to strengthen the muscles.

Sept. 3, 2020 | The menisci, crescent-shaped pads of connective tissue that act as shock absorbers in the knee, can be easily injured by the force of rotating the knee while bearing weight. A partial or total tear may occur when a person quickly twists or rotates the upper leg while the foot stays still, such as when dribbling a basketball around an opponent or turning to hit a tennis ball. If the tear is tiny, the meniscus stays connected to the front and back of the knee; if the tear is large, the meniscus may be left hanging by a thread of cartilage. The seriousness of a tear depends on its location and extent. If the tear is minor and the pain and other symptoms go away, the doctor may recommend a muscle-strengthening program. If the patient’s lifestyle is limited by the symptoms or the problem, the doctor may perform arthroscopic surgery to determine the extent of the injury and to remove or repair the tear. Most young athletes are able to return to active sports after such surgery.

Sept. 3, 2020 | Two commonly injured ligaments in the knee are the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, and the posterior cruciate ligament, or PCL. The ACL is most often stretched or torn or even both by a sudden twisting motion. The PCL is usually injured by a direct impact, such as in an automobile accident or football tackle. A thorough examination, including an MRI, is essential to determine the extent of the injury. For an incomplete tear, the doctor may recommend an exercise program to strengthen the knee’s surrounding muscles. A brace may also be prescribed to protect the knee during activity. A completely torn ACL will likely require surgery. One of the most important elements in a successful recovery after ligament surgery is a four- to six-month exercise and rehabilitation program that may involve using special exercise equipment at a rehabilitation center. Successful surgery and rehabilitation will allow the patient to return to a normal lifestyle.