4 Most Common Causes of Knee Injuries
Knee injuries usually send people to the doctor’s office. In 2010, more than 10 million visits to the doctor’s office occurred due to knee pain and injury.
Much of these visits were due to common issues that were the same. It is often possible to treat knee injuries at home, but some are severe enough to require surgical intervention. The anatomy of the knee, common knee injuries and some of the treatment options are explained in this article.
Four common injuries to the knee
The knee is a complex joint. It moves like a door hinge, allowing a person to bend their legs and straighten them so that they can sit, squat, leap, and run. There are several different forms of injuries to the knee.
Below are 4 of the knee’s most common injuries and causes of pain at the back of the knee.
Fractures
It is possible to fracture all of the bones in or around the knee. The patella or kneecap is the most frequently fractured bone in the joint.
High impact trauma triggers most knee injuries, such as a fall or car crash. Only by stepping the wrong way or tripping can people with underlying osteoporosis break their knees.
Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament
ACL injuries can vary in severity from grade 1 to 3. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs down the front of the knee diagonally, providing the joint with critical support. ACL injuries can be extreme and require surgery.
ACL injuries are ranked from one to three on a scale. A sprain of grade 1 is a mild ACL injury, while a grade 3 corresponds to a full tear.
Athletes who compete in contact sports such as soccer or football often damage their ACLs. Contact sports are, however, not the only cause of this injury.
Improper landing from a jump or changing the direction of motion rapidly will result in a tear in the ACL.
Dislocation
When the bones of the knee are out of their correct positioning and alignment, dislocating the knee occurs.
One or more of the bones may slip out of place in a knee dislocation. Knee dislocation may be caused by structural anomalies or injuries, including car crashes, falls, and contact sports.
Collateral damage to ligaments
The thigh bone’s connected to the shinbone by collateral ligaments. For athletes, especially those participating in contact sports, injury to these ligaments is a common issue.
Due to direct contact or collision with another person or object, collateral ligament tears sometimes emerge.
Treatment Options
Knee exercises and stretches should help ease knee pain. However, you should see a doctor if knee pain becomes chronic, is severe, or lasts for more than one week. If there is a decreased range of motion in the joint or if bending the knee becomes painful, it is necessary to see a doctor or visit a sports injury clinic in Singapore.
In cases of blunt force or shock, once an accident has happened, a doctor should be seen immediately.