The knee is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body when it comes to sustaining injury.
The anatomy of the knee is what keeps knee surgeons busy repairing damage that occurs from falls, hits, twisting, or rotating beyond its acceptable range of motion.
The femur, patella and tibia are the bones that make up the structure of the knee.
Four main ligaments connect the bones, including the medial collateral, lateral collateral, posterior cruciate and anterior cruciate (ACL) with the latter being the most frequently damaged.
Tears of the ACL are responsible for sending many athletes to knee surgeons each year for repairs.
This ligament runs diagonally across the middle of the knee to hold the tibia in place and prevent it from sliding out over the femur.
It also adds stability to the knee when the joint is rotated.
While tears can also occur to the medial collateral ligament or posterior cruciate ligament, those to the ACL are both more frequent and often more severe.
Causes of ACL and PCL Injuries Athletes are more susceptible to ACL injuries because of the pressure and frequent turning motions they go through during sports play.
Suddenly twisting or changing direction can cause damage.
The posterior cruciate ligament, on the other hand, is more likely to become injured because of a direct blow on the outside of the knee.
Injuries to Menisci The menisci are the cartilage inside the knee that causes weight to be distributed evenly across the joint.
Knee surgeons also treat meniscal injuries that include tearing of the wedge-shaped cartilage, often from twisting the knee.
These injuries may also occur in combination with ligament injuries.
If not repaired, these injuries significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.
Additional Complications of Knee Injuries Tendons are also at risk of injury including inflammation as well as the possibility of ruptures.
These can occur from a variety of activities, including running, dancing, squatting and particularly when lifting something heavy.
Injuries to the knee can also result in the inflammation of the bursae, or bursitis, which refers to the small fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning to the need reduce friction on the joint and to the ligaments and tendons that surround it.
Symptoms of bursitis include swelling, stiffness, pain and warmth in the knee area.
In some cases, an injury will cause bone or cartilage to be broken off, creating loose bodies in the joint space.
Depending on where they are positioned, these loose bodies may hamper movement of the joint and result in pain.
When Surgery is the Right Choice There is some controversy, even among knee surgeons, about when surgery is the right course of action and when non-invasive treatment is adequate.
For athletes, a torn ACL may have a serious impact on their career that can only be addressed by having the tear surgically repaired.
For anyone, persistent pain and an inability to bear weight long-term may signal that a knee injury is severe enough to require treatment that can only be provided by knee surgeons.
The anatomy of the knee is what keeps knee surgeons busy repairing damage that occurs from falls, hits, twisting, or rotating beyond its acceptable range of motion.
The femur, patella and tibia are the bones that make up the structure of the knee.
Four main ligaments connect the bones, including the medial collateral, lateral collateral, posterior cruciate and anterior cruciate (ACL) with the latter being the most frequently damaged.
Tears of the ACL are responsible for sending many athletes to knee surgeons each year for repairs.
This ligament runs diagonally across the middle of the knee to hold the tibia in place and prevent it from sliding out over the femur.
It also adds stability to the knee when the joint is rotated.
While tears can also occur to the medial collateral ligament or posterior cruciate ligament, those to the ACL are both more frequent and often more severe.
Causes of ACL and PCL Injuries Athletes are more susceptible to ACL injuries because of the pressure and frequent turning motions they go through during sports play.
Suddenly twisting or changing direction can cause damage.
The posterior cruciate ligament, on the other hand, is more likely to become injured because of a direct blow on the outside of the knee.
Injuries to Menisci The menisci are the cartilage inside the knee that causes weight to be distributed evenly across the joint.
Knee surgeons also treat meniscal injuries that include tearing of the wedge-shaped cartilage, often from twisting the knee.
These injuries may also occur in combination with ligament injuries.
If not repaired, these injuries significantly increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis later in life.
Additional Complications of Knee Injuries Tendons are also at risk of injury including inflammation as well as the possibility of ruptures.
These can occur from a variety of activities, including running, dancing, squatting and particularly when lifting something heavy.
Injuries to the knee can also result in the inflammation of the bursae, or bursitis, which refers to the small fluid-filled sacs that provide cushioning to the need reduce friction on the joint and to the ligaments and tendons that surround it.
Symptoms of bursitis include swelling, stiffness, pain and warmth in the knee area.
In some cases, an injury will cause bone or cartilage to be broken off, creating loose bodies in the joint space.
Depending on where they are positioned, these loose bodies may hamper movement of the joint and result in pain.
When Surgery is the Right Choice There is some controversy, even among knee surgeons, about when surgery is the right course of action and when non-invasive treatment is adequate.
For athletes, a torn ACL may have a serious impact on their career that can only be addressed by having the tear surgically repaired.
For anyone, persistent pain and an inability to bear weight long-term may signal that a knee injury is severe enough to require treatment that can only be provided by knee surgeons.
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