Common Knee Injuries & How To Treat Them
The knee is the biggest joint in our bodies. Apart from bending and straightening, this joint has the added responsibility of twisting and rotating as well. Considering its multiple functions, it has been provided with ample protection. 
- Cartilage: Cartilages cover the knee and protect the various bones forming this joint.
- Ligaments: 4 ligaments ensure that the knee does not slip sideways while twisting or jumping thereby preventing its dislocation.
- Bursas: These fluid filled sacs act as shock absorbers in the knee protecting it from any sudden jarring that might occur.
Common Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the most used joints of our body and is very often overused, leading to injuries. Knee injuries can be classified into two types:
Acute Knee Injuries: Acute knee injuries are caused due to sudden twisting or stopping of the knee. These can also be caused due to a direct impact and are likely to occur in athletes and players. Knee ligament injuries and cartilage injuries are common examples of the acute kind.
Our knee has 4 ligaments associated with it that are responsible for maintaining its stability. These are Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), Lateral collateral ligament (LCL), Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
ACL knee injuries are common amongst athletes and are caused due to sudden twists with the feet still on the ground or stopping suddenly. These can cause ligament strains or in extreme cases the ligament to tear. MCL knee injuries are also extremely common amongst athletes who play contact sports as these are caused due to a sudden high impact to the outside of the knee.
Overuse Knee Injuries: Overuse knee injuries are generally caused over time and include muscle strains and tendonitis. In these cases, the knee pain is intermittent and very mild at the outset. Knee swelling can also be observed after some time. These are all symptoms of knee overuse and abuse and should not be ignored. Running injuries or the runner’s knee is common in young people and caused due to overstraining the knee joints.
Common Knee Injury Treatments Used
RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, is the most common form of knee injury treatment used. This can prove very effective for most forms of overuse knee injuries. Regular knee exercises and wearing a knee brace in order to protect your knee during excessively strenuous conditions can also help in reducing knee pain and treating knee injuries.
Acute knee injuries are those in which the ligaments have torn and have to be treated through surgery. However, any surgery is delayed till the effectiveness of RICE and physical therapy is gauged and only if these prove insufficient is surgery resorted to. If you are in Lakeland, Florida and need emergency care for a knee injury, go to Nite Owl Urgent Care, Lakeland’s only after-hours care clinic.
Common Knee Injuries & How To Treat Them
The knee is the biggest joint in our bodies. Apart from bending and straightening, this joint has the added responsibility of twisting and rotating as well. Considering its multiple functions, it has been provided with ample protection.
- Cartilage: Cartilages cover the knee and protect the various bones forming this joint.
- Ligaments: 4 ligaments ensure that the knee does not slip sideways while twisting or jumping thereby preventing its dislocation.
- Bursas: These fluid filled sacs act as shock absorbers in the knee protecting it from any sudden jarring that might occur.
Common Knee Injuries
The knee is one of the most used joints of our body and is very often overused, leading to injuries. Knee injuries can be classified into two types:
Acute Knee Injuries: Acute knee injuries are caused due to sudden twisting or stopping of the knee. These can also be caused due to a direct impact and are likely to occur in athletes and players. Knee ligament injuries and cartilage injuries are common examples of the acute kind.
Our knee has 4 ligaments associated with it that are responsible for maintaining its stability. These are Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), Lateral collateral ligament (LCL), Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
ACL knee injuries are common amongst athletes and are caused due to sudden twists with the feet still on the ground or stopping suddenly. These can cause ligament strains or in extreme cases the ligament to tear. MCL knee injuries are also extremely common amongst athletes who play contact sports as these are caused due to a sudden high impact to the outside of the knee.
Overuse Knee Injuries: Overuse knee injuries are generally caused over time and include muscle strains and tendonitis. In these cases, the knee pain is intermittent and very mild at the outset. Knee swelling can also be observed after some time. These are all symptoms of knee overuse and abuse and should not be ignored. Running injuries or the runner’s knee is common in young people and caused due to overstraining the knee joints.
Common Knee Injury Treatments Used
RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation, is the most common form of knee injury treatment used. This can prove very effective for most forms of overuse knee injuries. Regular knee exercises and wearing a knee brace in order to protect your knee during excessively strenuous conditions can also help in reducing knee pain and treating knee injuries.
Acute knee injuries are those in which the ligaments have torn and have to be treated through surgery. However, any surgery is delayed till the effectiveness of RICE and physical therapy is gauged and only if these prove insufficient is surgery resorted to. If you are in Lakeland, Florida and need emergency care for a knee injury, go to Nite Owl Urgent Care, Lakeland’s only after-hours care clinic.