Common Conditions for Knee Injury Treatment
If you're suffering from knee pain that lasts for over a week, you need to see a doctor. You should be particularly concerned if you have reduced range of motion or if bending your knee is difficult. Apart from dislocation, fractures, and minor sprains, some conditions require immediate knee injury treatment.
1. Ligament Sprains
Your knee joint is held in place by ligaments. When there's an excessive force or sudden twists on your knee joint, your ligaments may be overstretched. Torn ligaments bleed into the knee resulting in pain, joint laxity, and swelling. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is located at the centre of the knee, is the most affected knee ligament. A ruptured ACL is very painful and doesn't heal through self-care treatment. You may need to consult a doctor for reconstructive surgery.
2. Meniscal Tears
When there's a torn cartilage in your knee, you're probably suffering from a meniscal tear. The menisci are two strands of cartilage found between your shinbone and thighbone. These rubbery wedges can tear slowly because of old age. When the meniscus tears because of the ageing process, the condition is called a degenerative meniscus tear. For a sudden meniscus tear, you'll feel a pop in the knee. After the injury, tightness, swelling, and pain will increase in the days that follow. You should seek knee injury treatment before your condition gets worse.
3. Bursitis
Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that protect the knee joints, allowing the ligaments and tendons to slide over the joint comfortably. The bursae can swell with repeated pressure from kneeling or overuse. This swelling or inflammation is called bursitis. In many cases, bursitis can be treated through basic first aid. However, some cases may require specialised knee injury treatment like antibiotics to reduce inflammation. In severe cases, excess fluid needs to be drawn from the sacs. This procedure is called aspiration.
4. Tendon Tears
The patellar tendon in the knee is responsible for straightening the leg. Tendon tears are common among athletes and middle-aged people. However, people outside this risk group can get tendon tears. Most patellar tendon tears are partial and require physical therapy and sufficient rest. A complete tear is disabling since it will affect your movement. In such cases, surgery may be necessary to regain normal function.
The knee is the largest joint in the body and the most susceptible to injury. It consists of bones, cartilage, ligament, and tendons. Knee injuries usually affect any of these components of the knee. Some of the knee injuries you should look out for include meniscal tears, bursitis, ligament sprains, and tendon tears. If you experience any knee injury that takes long to heal and does not respond to basic first aid, consult a doctor.