Knees

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are common knee injuries.

The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured in several ways:

• Changing direction rapidly
• Stopping suddenly
• Slowing down while running
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle

Treatment for an ACL tear will vary depending on the patient's individual needs.

Knee Dislocation occurs when the kneecap slips out of its groove. This is often a result of a non-contact injury, such as a pivot, twist, or awkward fall. A sharp blow to the kneecap could also pop the patella out of place.

If the kneecap has been completely dislocated out of its groove, the first step is to return the kneecap to its proper place. This process is called reduction. Sometimes, reduction happens spontaneously — meaning, on its own. Other times, your doctor will have to apply gentle force to push the kneecap back in place.

Kneecap Bursitis is n inflammation of the bursa in the front of the kneecap (patella). It occurs when the bursa becomes irritated and produces too much fluid, which causes it to swell and put pressure on the adjacent parts of the knee. Bursae are small, jelly-like sacs that are located throughout the body, including around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel. They contain a small amount of fluid, and are positioned between bones and soft tissues, acting as cushions to help reduce friction.

Prepatellar bursitis is often caused by pressure from constant kneeling. A direct blow to the front of knee can also cause prepatellar bursitis.

Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Injuries are common knee injuries. Your knee ligaments connect your thighbone to your lower leg bones. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are found on the sides of your knee.

Injuries to the collateral ligaments are usually caused by a force that pushes the knee sideways. These are often contact injuries, but not always.

Most isolated collateral ligament injuries can be successfully treated without surgery. If the collateral ligament is torn in such a way that it cannot heal or is associated with other ligament injuries, your doctor may suggest surgery to repair it. Your surgeon will discuss which tecnique of repair is best for you.

Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries are common knee injuries. Your knee ligaments connect your thighbone to your lower leg bones. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are found on the sides of your knee. The MCL is injured more often than the LCL. Due to the more complex anatomy of the outside of the knee, if you injure your LCL, you usually injure other structures in the joint, as well.

Medial collateral ligament tears often occur as a result of a direct blow to the outside of the knee. This pushes the knee inward (toward the other knee).

 

Meniscus Tears are common knee injuries. The meniscus is a rubbery, C-shaped disk that acts as a "shock absorber" between the thighbone and shinbone. It helps cushion and stabilize the knee joint. Each knee has two menisci—one on the outside of the knee and one on the inside.

A meniscus tear is often caused by a single acute injury—such as a sudden twist or quick turn during sports activity. Because the menisci weaken and wear thin over time, older people are more likely to experience a degenerative meniscus tear.

In many cases, a surgical procedure called "arthroscopy" is used to repair or remove a torn meniscus.

A Quadriceps Tendon Tear is not common. Tendons are strong bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones. The quadriceps tendon is the most important tendon involved in straightening the knee from a bent position.

Quadriceps tendon tears can be either partial or complete. Small tears of this tendon cause pain or make it difficult to walk and participate in other daily activities. A complete tear of the quadriceps tendon is a disabling injury. It almost always requires surgery, followed by physical therapy to regain full knee motion and function.

When a quadriceps tendon tears, there is often a tearing or popping sensation. Pain and swelling typically follow, and you may not be able to straighten your knee.

Patellar Tendon Tears can be partial or complete. Tendons are strong cords of fibrous tissue that attach muscles to bones. The patellar tendon works with the muscles in the front of your thigh to straighten your leg. It takes a very strong force to tear the patellar tendon.

Small tendon tears can make it difficult to walk and participate in other daily activities. A large tear of the patellar tendon is a disabling injury. It usually requires surgery and physical therapy afterward to regain full knee function.

When a patellar tendon tears, you often experience a tearing or popping sensation. Pain and swelling typically follow, and you may not be able to straighten your knee.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is a broad term used to describe pain in the front of the knee and around the patella (kneecap).  It is sometimes called "runner's knee" or "jumper's knee" because it is common in people who participate in sports—particularly females and young adults—but PFPS can occur in nonathletes, as well. The pain and stiffness caused by PFPS can make it difficult to climb stairs, kneel down, and perform other everyday activities.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs when nerves sense pain in the soft tissues and bone around the kneecap. These soft tissues include the tendons, the fat pad beneath the patella, and the synovial tissue that lines the knee joint.

The most common symptom of PFPS is a dull, aching pain in the front of the knee. This pain—which usually begins gradually and is frequently activity-related—may be present in one or both knees. 

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injuries are knee injuries. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is located inside the knee, just behind the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It is one of several ligaments that connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). The posterior cruciate ligament keeps the tibia from moving backward with relation to the thigh bone.

An injury to the posterior cruciate ligament requires a powerful force. A common cause of injury is a bent knee hitting a dashboard in a car accident or a football player falling on a knee that is bent. Additionally, damage to the PCL can result from a severe twisting injury or contact injury during sport.

Injuries to the posterior cruciate ligament are not as common as other knee ligament injuries. In fact, they are often subtle and more difficult to evaluate than other ligament injuries in the knee. Often, a posterior cruciate ligament injury occurs along with injuries to other structures in the knee, such as cartilage, other ligaments, and bone.