The knee is one of the most popular injuries among most people. In fact, over 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, and one-third of all Americans report experiencing knee pain at some point or another. Sports, age, falls, or motor-vehicle accidents account for the vast majority of knee pain. While some injuries can be treated at home, severe injuries need a doctor’s intervention. If you have had an injury before, it’s prudent to know how to treat it and what to expect during your doctor’s visit. In this article, we will look at some of the common knee injuries and how knee doctors Omaha-located can help.
Dislocations
Dislocations occur when knee bones are knocked out of their alignment and placement either partially or completely. During a knee dislocation, one or several bones can slip out of place as a result of car accidents, sports activities, or hard falls.
When you have a dislocated knee, doctors can assess the injury to know if they can pop the bone back into place by moving and pushing your leg at different points. Sometimes you might need immediate surgery or wait three weeks. This is to allow the swelling to go down.
You will wear a splint during the wait to prevent the dislocation from worsening. One of the most common surgeries conducted to treat knee dislocation is arthroscopic knee surgery.
Fractures are also common knee injuries
While all bones on the knee can be fractured, the most broken bone in the knee is the kneecap or patella. Most fractures are caused by high-energy trauma, such as hard falls from significant heights or motor vehicle collisions.
People with osteoporosis can also fracture their knees just by tripping and falling. Just like dislocations, fracture treatment varies depending on severity.
If there is extensive bleeding, emergency treatment may be required to ease pain, reduce swelling and promote healing. Nonsurgical treatments may be recommended for stable and less severe fractures.
Meniscal tears
A meniscal tear is a torn cartilage in the knee. The two rubbery wedges of the cartilage can suddenly tear during sporting activities.
It also tears due to aging—commonly referred to as degenerative meniscus tear. Treatment for meniscal tears depends on severity.
It is mostly treated with rest and ice to reduce pain and swelling. Recovery can take about 6 to 8 weeks.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an inflammation in the knee that is caused by an injury to the tendon that connects the shin bone to the kneecap. The patella tendon is a critical part of the knee that helps you walk, jump and run.
That means it is common in athletes who jump and run or any physically active person. Relieving tendonitis may require leg elevation and the use of painkillers. Your doctor might also recommend massages and therapeutic exercises.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) runs vertically down the front of the knee to help provide stability to the joint. This injury is often common in contact sports such as soccer and rugby.
You can also get this injury if you land from a jump incorrectly or change motion direction too suddenly. It is often serious and requires surgery. Your physician will grade the injury on a scale of 1 to 3. Grade one sprain is mild, while grade three is a complete tear.
Common knee injuries include tendon tears
The tendons are soft tissues connecting the bones to the muscle. I’ve already mentioned that the patella is most likely to get injured.
The injury occurs in the form of a tear due to repetitive activities or physical activities that may overstretch the tendons. Direct impact with a hard surface or fall can also cause the tear. Tendon tears are usually treated with rest, but sometimes they might require surgery.