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Did you know... While direct blows will cause knee injuries, most injuries to the knee are caused by twisting or stretching the joint through a greater range of motion than it can tolerate.
Cause
Knee injuries are very common in sports as well as daily activities. Patients typically complain of a twisting or buckling injury or a fall or blow to the knee.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a knee injury include:
- Immediate pain that worsens when you try to walk or bend your knee
- A popping sound
- An inability to bear weight on the injured knee
- A feeling that the knee might buckle or give way
Treatments
Knee injuries should be examined by a physician as soon as possible. X-rays can rule out a fracture that may need casting or surgery. If there is no sign of fracture, initial treatment for knee injuries includes icing, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications if medically indicated. Occasionally a cortisone injection may quickly relieve the acute inflammation and pain. If there is no significant improvement within a few days to weeks, a short course of therapy may be all that is needed to get the patient back into shape. If all conservative measures fail, then an special imaging study called an MRI is often ordered by the physician which will help him identify problems such as a meniscal tear, ACL tear, or other ligament injuries. Surgery, such as arthroscopic surgery, may be required to bring the knee back to health.
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