KNEE INJURY – SIGNS AND TREATMENT

The knee has four ligaments that connect the bones together, as well as tendons that connect the bones to the muscles of the leg.

► What is a knee injury?

You can get a knee injury if there is damage to your bone, ligament, cartilage, or tendon.
 
Common knee injuries include:

• Damage to the cushion cartilage in the knee
• Ligament tear, which may be partial or complete
• Tear of the meniscus in the cartilage between the tibia and femur
• Patellar irritation

Less common knee injuries include:

• Fracture
• Patellar or knee dislocation

► Who is at risk of knee injuries?

1. Participate in sports that have strong and fast movements: Running, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, cycling, etc., can increase the risk of knee pain and injury.

2. Overweight: Overweight is a risk factor for causing knee injuries, putting more pressure on the joints in the lower limbs.

3. Lack of muscle flexibility or strength: A lack of muscle flexibility can increase the risk of knee injury because your muscles stabilize and protect your joints, while allowing you to move flexibly. In addition, knee injuries can also be caused by improper training or by not recovering properly after an injury.



► Causes of knee injuries

Knees are prone to injuries because they have to bear the entire weight of the body, under great pressure when you run and jump.
 
You often experience knee injuries while playing sports such as:

• Football
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Skiing

You may have chronic knee injuries due to:

• Previous injuries
• Previous surgeries
• Chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis

► Common symptoms

Pain and swelling of the knee are the most common symptoms of knee injury. Other signs and symptoms include:

• Difficulty moving the knee
• The knee being locked due to injury
• Joint stiffness
• Inability to fully extend the knee

The knee can also become unstable, meaning you feel your knee is loose or off-balance when using it. In cases of fractures and dislocations, the knee may be deformed or misaligned.



► Complications
 
Knee injuries, if not treated promptly, can lead to many dangerous complications, including instability of the knee joint. In addition, knee injuries such as fractures in the knee area can also cause nerve damage, vascular injuries, and infections when there is an open fracture.

► Accurate diagnosis
 
The doctor will ask about the symptoms, for the patient to describe in detail what happened at the time of the injury, including: 

• How the patient fell and whether there was any impact with the ground
• How the joint twisted or turned
• The location of the pain
• Any previous injuries or not
• If there is weakness or difficulty moving any part of the leg

At the same time, the doctor may prescribe the patient to undergo imaging diagnostic methods such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI, in order to accurately determine the condition of the injury and have an appropriate treatment method.
 
 
► Treatments
 
1. Non-surgical treatment: In cases of mild injury, ligament damage, or cartilage injury that is not too severe, patients may undergo treatment using a brace or splint to stabilize and protect the knee. Subsequently, the doctor will guide the patient through physical therapy exercises to restore function, strengthen the muscles to prevent atrophy, and support the recovery of motor function after the injury.
 
2. Surgical treatment: For cases of severe injury, torn ligaments or meniscus of the knee… surgical treatment may be necessary. The surgical methods commonly applied are arthroscopic surgery, open surgery, depending on the patient’s injury condition. 



► Care and treatment of knee injuries:

Knee injuries will usually recover better when applying the PEACE & LOVE method:

• Protection: Avoid activities that increase pain in the first few days after injury.
• Elevation: Elevating the injured limb above the heart when lying down or sitting.
• Avoid anti-inflammatory modalities: Avoid using anti-inflammatory drugs and do not apply ice.
• Compression: Wrap the wound tightly to reduce swelling.
• Education: Avoid unnecessary treatments and let the body heal itself.
• Load: Let the pain guide you gradually back to your normal activities.
• Optimism: Stay positive and confident, making you more comfortable as well as helping you recover better.
• Vascularisation: Select painless activities to help restore tissue
• Exercise: Apply active recovery method

► Knee injury prevention
 
You can help prevent injuries if you:

• Warm up joints and muscles by gently doing warm-up or stretching exercises
• Wear appropriate shoes for the sport you are participating in
• Avoid sudden movements of the knee joint
• Try to rotate your legs when changing direction, rather than twisting through the knee
• After participating in sports, perform gentle stretching exercises