Symptoms
The most common symptoms of knee pain and knee injury include swelling, stiffness, weakness or instability, redness and warmth to the touch, popping or crunching noises, and an inability to fully straighten the knee. If you can’t bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable, see your doctor. Other reasons to seek medical attention for your knee pain are if you have swelling, you’re unable to extend or flex your knee, you have a fever in addition to the redness and swelling in your knee, you have severe pain or a deformity associated with an injury.
Common injuries
One of the most common knee injuries is an ACL tear. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of four ligaments connecting your shinbone to your thighbone. An ACL tear most often occurs during sudden changes in direction when running during sports activities.
Fractures are another common knee injury usually caused by trauma or a medical condition. You can fracture your kneecap during a fall or car accident, or if you have osteoporosis.
A torn meniscus happens when you suddenly twist your knee while your knee is carrying weight. Some knee injuries can lead to inflammation of small sacs of fluid that cushion the outside of the knee joint and cause knee bursitis. Patellar tendinitis is a common problem among runners, skiers, cyclists and people in jumping sports.
Treatment
Knee pain can affect people of all ages, either as a result of an injury, wear and tear, or medical conditions. Minor knee pain responds well to physical therapy and knee braces as recommended by your doctor. Sometimes surgery is necessary to fix the problem.
If you have knee pain or a knee injury and want to explore your options for treatment, call (219) 795-3360 to schedule an appointment.
