The knee is a complicated joint that moves like a door hinge, allowing you to bend and straighten your legs. Any knee problem may interfere with your productivity since the joint helps you walk, sit, squat, and run. Knee pain is a common problem that may affect anyone regardless of age and fitness level. Most cases of pain in the knee stem from knee injuries. Sometimes knee pain can improve with simple self-care measures, but you may also need biologics Houston for pain relief. Below are some of the common knee injuries.

Fractures

A fracture is a break in the continuity of one or more bones. You can fracture any bone in or around the knee, but the most broken bone in the knee joint is the patella or kneecap. Most knee fractures are due to high-impact trauma such as a fall or car accident. While anyone can have a knee fracture, some people are more likely to break the joint easily. For example, individuals with underlying osteoporosis may break their knee by tripping or stepping the wrong way.

Dislocation

Dislocation is whereby the knee bones move out of their proper placement or alignment. A knee dislocation happens when one or more bones slip out of place.

This injury may be due to structural abnormalities or traumas like falls and car accidents. Contact sports can also result in a knee dislocation.

Bursitis

Your knee joints consist of bursae – tiny fluid-like sacs that cushion the joint and allow smooth movement of the tendons and ligaments over the joint. Overuse or repeated pressure from kneeling can cause these sacs to swell and become inflamed; a condition called bursitis. Most of the time, bursitis is not a serious problem and can be treated with self-care. However, in severe cases, healthcare providers recommend antibiotic treatment or may need to withdraw excess fluid using aspiration.

Meniscal tears

Between the thigh bone and shinbone are two rubbery wedges of cartilage called menisci. These pieces of cartilage usually wear out as you age, but they can also tear suddenly during sporting activities. Most people refer to a torn cartilage in the knee as a meniscal tear. A meniscus tear that occurs gradually due to the natural aging process is called a degenerative meniscus tear.

When the cartilage tears during a game, you may hear or feel a pop in the knee. You may notice increased pain, swelling, and tightness a few days after the injury.

Patellar tendonitis

Patellar tendonitis is an injury to the tendon that connects the kneecap or patella to the shinbone. This tendon in your kneecap works with the front of your thigh to extend your knee, allowing you to jump, run, and perform other physical activities. This knee injury is common among athletes who play sports that require frequent jumping. However, anyone that is physically active can develop patellar tendonitis.

Posterior cruciate ligament injuries

The posterior cruciate ligament is one of the many ligaments connecting the thigh bone to the shinbone. It is located at the back of your knee and prevents the shinbone from moving too far backward. An injury to this ligament occurs when you fall hard on a bent knee or when an accident impacts a bent knee.

If you have chronic knee pain, schedule an appointment with your provider at J. Michael Bennett, MD, PA, to explore your treatment options.