Given the fact that we rely on our knees for even the simplest movements that we make every day, such as standing, sitting, walking, and running, an injury to any of its structures can be especially incapacitating.
Discussed below are a few of the common types of knee injuries along with their causes and symptoms.
Kneecap (Patellar) Fracture
A kneecap fracture refers to a break in the small bone sitting at the front of your knee. This type of knee injury is most often caused by a direct blow or trauma, which usually happens during falls or motor vehicle accidents.
When you have a kneecap fracture, you usually experience bruising; pain around your kneecap or in your knee; swelling (which can become severe even in minor cases); difficulty standing, walking, and bearing weight; and inability to bend or straighten your knee. You may also notice deformity and if you have an open kneecap fracture, bone protrudes from your skin.
ACL Injury
An ACL injury is a sprain or tears in the anterior cruciate ligament— one of the tough bands of tissue in your knee that connects the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone).
An ACL injury occurs when there is a sudden blow to your knee while your leg is straight or slightly bent and your foot is firmly fixed on the ground. This type of knee injury is common in sports that involve sudden changes in direction or stops, such as basketball, downhill skiing, and soccer.
Common signs and symptoms of an ACL injury include rapid swelling, severe pain (which can render you unable to continue with your activity), popping sensation (crepitus), loss of range of motion, difficulty putting weight on your knee, and a sensation that your knee is giving out or giving way (knee-buckling).
Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of tough cartilage that provides a cushion between your thighbone and shinbone. Like any other structure in your knee, your meniscus is prone to injuries, specifically tears.
Meniscus tears are a particularly common injury among athletes, but they can also occur in people whose day-to-day activities involve forceful knee twisting or rotating, kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy objects.
Symptoms of a torn meniscus include crepitus, stiffness, swelling, pain especially when rotating or twisting your knee), inability to fully straighten your knee, and knee buckling.
Knee Injury Treatment in Boynton Beach, FL
If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, turn to one of our highly qualified orthopedic surgeons here at Personalized Orthopedics of the Palm Beaches for prompt intervention. Our orthopedic surgeons are best known for their expertise, extensive experience, unmatched bedside manner, and the vast range of effective solutions they provide for all types of musculoskeletal problems.
We offer a wide variety of on-site services, including physical therapy, stem cell therapy, and platelet-rich plasma therapy, to help you recover successfully without heavy reliance on pain medications.
To see one of our orthopedic surgeons, contact us at (561) 733-5888, ext. 1; or simply use this form, and we will promptly get in touch with you to arrange your appointment.
