Do you also have knee pain? Let's learn more about knee injuries!

Hello! How are you? Today we are going to talk about something that bothers many of us, or at least something that we have to face at some point in our lives. That is, various disorders that occur in the knee. Just think, the knee is such an important joint in our body! We walk, run, jump, sit, stand up, our knees need to be healthy for all of these things. So if there is any trouble or disorder with this precious knee, it becomes very difficult to do daily activities, right?

What is the knee? How does it work?

Simply put, the knee is where our thigh bone (femur) , which is the longest bone in our upper leg, and our shin bone (tibia) , which is the largest bone in our lower leg, join together. There are many other things that make this joint work properly, not just these two bones .

• Cartilage : This is a smooth, rubbery tissue that acts like a shock absorber, preventing bones from rubbing against each other.
• Meniscus : This is also a special type of cartilage that is C-shaped. The two pieces of the meniscus, located between the thigh bone and the shin bone, provide stability to the joint and distribute weight evenly.
• Ligaments: Like strong ropes. These are what hold bones together, prevent the joint from moving around unnecessarily, and keep it stable. There are four main ligaments in the knee. Have you heard of the ACL ( Anterior Cruciate Ligament )? That's one of them.
• Tendons: These are the structures that connect muscles to bones. For example, the kneecap (patella) is enclosed within a large tendon.
• Muscles: The muscles around the knee help bend, extend, and keep the knee strong.

It is because all these parts work together like a well-oiled machine that we are able to use our knees without any difficulty.

What are the most common knee disorders?

There are many different types of knee injuries. Some are minor and resolve with a sprain or strain, but others can be more serious.

Ligament Injuries

This is what happens most often to athletes or when the knee is suddenly twisted. The ligaments can be stretched or even completely torn. ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears are particularly common among athletes. When this happens, the knee can become unstable, or feel like it's "popping".

Meniscus Tears

When the knee is suddenly twisted, especially when the leg is planted on the ground, this cartilage tissue called the meniscus can be damaged. When this is torn, it can cause pain when bending or straightening the knee, and it can even feel like the knee is "locking."

Tendonitis and Tendon Tears

Tendons are the tissues that connect muscles to bones. When these are overused, or when you continue to perform the same movements, these tendons can become inflamed. We call this `` Tendonitis.`` An example is ``Patellar Tendonitis`` or ``Jumper's Knee.`` Sometimes the tendons can even tear.

Fractures

A serious fall or accident can break the bones around the knee, namely the lower end of the thigh bone, the upper end of the shin bone, or the kneecap (`(Patella)`). This is a very painful condition.

Knee dislocations (Dislocations)

This is when the knee joint or kneecap moves back and forth from where it should be. This is very painful and can cause the knee to look disfigured.

Bursitis

There are small fluid-filled sacs called bursae around the knee. These help reduce friction. If one of these bursae becomes inflamed (Bursitis), the knee becomes swollen and painful. This can happen to people who do a lot of work on their knees.

Osteoarthritis

This is not a sudden condition. Osteoarthritis is the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage in the joint, which can occur as a result of aging or a previous knee injury. This can cause symptoms such as knee pain , stiffness, and swelling.

What are the causes of knee injuries?

There can be a variety of reasons for knee problems.

• Sports: Knee pain is often caused by sports. Running, stopping, jumping, and twisting (especially in sports like soccer, basketball, and netball) can put a lot of pressure on the knees.
• Accidents and Falls: Knee injuries can occur from minor accidents, such as slips and falls, while walking, doing household chores, or other accidents.
• Overuse: Continuing to perform the same type of movements, for example, someone who works on their knees or someone who constantly goes up and down stairs, can damage the knees.
• Aging: It is normal for joints to wear out as we age.
• Obesity: As body weight increases, the weight that the knees have to bear increases. This also increases the risk of knee problems.
• Improper posture: Lifting weights incorrectly or exercising incorrectly can also damage the knees.

What are the symptoms of this knee disorder?

If you have a problem with your knee, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:

• Pain: It can be a sudden, sharp pain or a gradual, increasing pain. The pain may also increase when bending, straightening, walking, or putting weight on the knee.
• Swelling: The knee may be swollen and feel larger than the other side when touched. Sometimes it swells quickly, sometimes gradually.
• Stiffness: Difficulty bending or straightening the knee, either when getting up in the morning or after standing up after being in one position for a while.
• Redness and warmth: If your knee is red and feels warm to the touch, it could be a sign of infection.
• Weakness or instability: Feeling like you can't put weight on your knee, or like your knee is "giving out" or "getting stuck."
• 'Pop' or 'cracking' sound: A 'clicking' or 'cracking' sound is heard from the inside of the knee when you move it. A 'pop' sound can also be heard when the knee is injured.
• Inability to bear weight: Pain so severe that you can't put your leg down.
• Knee lock: The knee becomes so stiff that it cannot be bent or extended.

When should I see a doctor?

Not every knee pain requires a trip to the doctor. But it's wise to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms:

• If you have unbearable pain and swelling, especially after an injury.
• If you can't bear the weight with your feet on the ground.
• If the shape of the knee appears to have changed (e.g., it is pulled, very swollen, or unnatural).
• If there is a loud 'pop' sound when the injury occurs, followed by rapid swelling (this could be a sign of a ligament tear).
• If you have a fever along with your knee pain (this could be a sign of an infection).
• If the pain does not subside after a few days with simple home treatments (we'll talk about them below), or if the pain continues to increase.
• If your knee feels numb, or your foot feels cold and changes color.

Remember, getting a quick and accurate diagnosis is crucial for a speedy recovery!

How to diagnose knee disorders?

When you go to a doctor, he will first ask you questions about how this happened, what are the symptoms, and whether anything has happened to your knee before. Then he will examine your knee carefully. How well can you bend and straighten it, where is the pain, is there any swelling, and how stable is the joint?

Sometimes you need to do tests like this to find out exactly what happened:

• X-ray: To check for bone fractures, sprains, or conditions like arthritis.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: This can clearly see damage to soft tissues such as ligaments, meniscus, cartilage, and tendons.
• CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: This is sometimes used to look at bones in more detail, or when an MRI is not possible.
• Ultrasound scan: This helps to see superficial soft tissues such as tendons and bursae. Sometimes it can also be used to see if the swelling is caused by a build-up of fluid.
• Joint fluid testing (Arthrocentesis): Sometimes, especially if an infection is suspected, a small amount of fluid from inside the knee joint is removed with a syringe and sent to a laboratory for testing.

What are the treatments for knee disorders?

The type of treatment depends on many things, such as the type of disorder, how severe it is, your age, and your level of activity.

Home remedies (RICE method)

For most minor injuries, the RICE method is the first treatment.

• R (Rest): You should definitely take a break from activities that are causing pain. The first thing to do is to give your knee a rest.
• I (Ice) - Ice: Apply an ice pack (ice wrapped in a cloth) to the injured area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. This will reduce swelling and pain. Do not put ice directly on the skin, as it can burn the skin.
• C (Compression) - Wrap an elastic bandage around the knee tightly. This will help control swelling. But don't wrap it so tightly that it cuts off blood flow.
• E (Elevation) - Elevation: Keep your knees above your heart as much as possible. You can also keep a pillow under your legs while sleeping. This will also reduce swelling.

Medications

You can take medicine like `Paracetamol` to reduce pain. To reduce swelling and pain, you can take `NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)` like `Ibuprofen` on medical advice. However, it is not advisable to use these continuously. In some severe cases, the doctor may also give stronger medicines or injections like `Steroid` to the knee.

Physiotherapy / Physical Therapy

Physiotherapy (or Physical Therapy) is a very important treatment for knee injuries. A physical therapist will teach you specific exercises and treatments to help you regain movement, strength, flexibility, and stability in your knee. Doing these exercises exactly as prescribed is very important for a speedy recovery and to prevent the injury from recurring.

Knee immobilization (Immobilization)

In some cases, a brace, splint, or cast may be needed to immobilize the knee. This allows the injured area to rest and heal.

Surgery

In some severe injuries, for example, when a ligament is completely torn, the meniscus is severely damaged, or the bone is severely fractured, surgery may be necessary if other treatments do not help.

Now, most often, keyhole surgery is performed using small incisions called ``arthroscopy'', which involves inserting a camera and delicate instruments into the joint through small incisions. This allows damaged parts to be repaired or removed without making a large incision.

Sometimes, people who have severe osteoarthritis in their knees may need to undergo knee replacement surgery.

How to prevent knee injuries?

"Prevention is better than cure," they say. So if you can prevent knee problems before they occur, that's the best thing to do.

• Maintain a healthy body weight: The more weight you carry, the more pressure you put on your knees.
• Warm up well before exercising and cool down after exercising: This reduces the risk of muscle and joint injuries.
• Strengthen your leg muscles: Strengthening the muscles in the front of your thighs (Quadriceps), back of your thighs (Hamstrings), and buttocks (Glutes) will provide better support for your knees and increase stability.
• Increase flexibility: When muscles and tendons are well-stretched, injuries are less likely to occur.
• Gradually increase the amount and intensity of exercise: Don't go too hard all at once.
• Wear appropriate footwear: When playing sports or running, wear shoes that are appropriate for the activity and provide good support for your feet. Avoid wearing worn-out shoes.
• Learn the correct techniques: If you are playing sports or lifting weights, know the correct way to do those things.
• Prevent falls: Be aware of slippery surfaces in your home, and be careful when going up and down stairs.

Finally, remember this...

Okay, so we talked a lot about knee injuries today, didn't we? I hope you found this information useful.

The most important thing is that your knee is something very precious to you. Therefore, it is your responsibility to take care of it and take care of it.

• If you notice pain, swelling, or anything else unusual in your knee , don't ignore it. Don't just assume "it's okay" and seek medical advice if necessary.
• If simple home treatments do not help within a few days, or if symptoms are severe, be sure to see a doctor.
• Following medical and physical therapy instructions is very important for a speedy recovery and to prevent the injury from recurring. Don't be lazy and do the exercises.
• Many knee problems can be successfully treated with proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment, so don't be unnecessarily afraid.

May you find the strength to keep your knees healthy and live happily!

Knee disorders, Knee, Knee Injuries, Knee pain, Ligament tear, Meniscus tear, Physical therapy