There are two main functions which our knees perform. Firstly they flex i.e bend and secondly they extend i.e straighten up. It is because of these two functions of the knees that a person is able to walk, run, kick and sit. So, just imagine what will happen if the knees are injured? It will become very difficult for a person even to perform these basic functions.
Knee injuries can occur on account of various reasons such as indulging in sports or exercises and hurting the knee, making an awkward movement, any direct blow caused to the knee, flat feet in a person, unstable kneecaps and imbalance of the thigh muscles. As soon as a person has his knee injured, it is important that he goes to a doctor for a complete knee injuries diagnosis and treatment to prevent any further damage.
Knee Injuries - Diagnosis
Diagnosis of knee injuries is done to identify the type of the injury so that the corresponding treatment can be given.
Sprains
If during a knee injuries diagnosis, it is found that the knee is strained from a particular direction, then the reason could be that the ligament which holds it in place has torn. Such a ligament tear is known as a sprain. Sprains are medically graded as first degree, second degree and third degree. First degree sprains cause the ligament to stretch but there is no tearing of the fiber. Second degree sprains do not affect the ligament but the fibers may be partially sprained while third degree sprains completely damage the ligaments. Read more on sprained knee.
Strains
An injury in the muscles of the knee as well as the tendons which surround the knee is caused due to its overuse or due to hyperflexion or hyperextention of the knee. Such injuries are medically known as strains. Read more on hyperextended knee.
Bursitis
It is a condition in which there is inflammation in the bursas of the knee. It can be caused due to a direct blow to the knee or due to its overuse. See bursitis.
Cartilage Tear
A knee injury which is caused due to the knee twisting, putting stress on the cartilage, can result in a tear. Such an injury is called a cartilage tear or a meniscus tear. Read more on torn cartilage in knee.
Knee Injuries Diagnosis : Symptoms
To diagnose the type of knee injury, doctors depend upon the symptoms which it produces in the person. If the knee injury is severe, it can lead to pain and swelling in the affected area. The person with a knee injury will face problems while bending his knee as well as in bearing weight. The swelling in the injured knee may come and go and can become severe if the person undertakes any activity in which the knee is used. Severe knee pain too like swelling might be intermittent and may come and go with activity.
If the person feels that the knee is giving away or is unstable, then this signals a ligament injury. If there is a grinding or a popping sound experienced, with the person even unable to bend his knee (known as "locking" in medical terms), the reason could be a cartilage tear. Read more on knee instability.
So for knee injuries diagnosis, the doctor always begins with a physical inspection and examination of the affected area. By doing this, the doctor tries to find out that the bones and other structures of the knee are located in the right place or they have been displaced by the injury. The doctor also identifies whether the knee is held correctly. Then he checks where the pain and swelling is experienced, followed by the assessment of the blood and nerve supply to the foot and the leg. In some cases, such as when it is suspected that bones are broken, doctors might ask for an X-rays too.
Once the knee injuries diagnoses is complete, and if there is no broken bone, then the first course of treatment that is suggested is RICE, i.e resting the area, regular application of ice on the affected area to reduce the swelling and pain, putting compression wraps to hold the knee together, and keeping the knee at an elevated position. The doctors recommend physical therapy and a few strengthening exercises as well. Most of the times, these treatments are more than enough to cure knee injuries. However, if the knee injury is severe, and involves broken bones and other structures of the knee, surgery is suggested as the last option.
Knee injuries can occur on account of various reasons such as indulging in sports or exercises and hurting the knee, making an awkward movement, any direct blow caused to the knee, flat feet in a person, unstable kneecaps and imbalance of the thigh muscles. As soon as a person has his knee injured, it is important that he goes to a doctor for a complete knee injuries diagnosis and treatment to prevent any further damage.
Knee Injuries - Diagnosis
Diagnosis of knee injuries is done to identify the type of the injury so that the corresponding treatment can be given.
Sprains
If during a knee injuries diagnosis, it is found that the knee is strained from a particular direction, then the reason could be that the ligament which holds it in place has torn. Such a ligament tear is known as a sprain. Sprains are medically graded as first degree, second degree and third degree. First degree sprains cause the ligament to stretch but there is no tearing of the fiber. Second degree sprains do not affect the ligament but the fibers may be partially sprained while third degree sprains completely damage the ligaments. Read more on sprained knee.
Strains
An injury in the muscles of the knee as well as the tendons which surround the knee is caused due to its overuse or due to hyperflexion or hyperextention of the knee. Such injuries are medically known as strains. Read more on hyperextended knee.
Bursitis
It is a condition in which there is inflammation in the bursas of the knee. It can be caused due to a direct blow to the knee or due to its overuse. See bursitis.
Cartilage Tear
A knee injury which is caused due to the knee twisting, putting stress on the cartilage, can result in a tear. Such an injury is called a cartilage tear or a meniscus tear. Read more on torn cartilage in knee.
Knee Injuries Diagnosis : Symptoms
To diagnose the type of knee injury, doctors depend upon the symptoms which it produces in the person. If the knee injury is severe, it can lead to pain and swelling in the affected area. The person with a knee injury will face problems while bending his knee as well as in bearing weight. The swelling in the injured knee may come and go and can become severe if the person undertakes any activity in which the knee is used. Severe knee pain too like swelling might be intermittent and may come and go with activity.
If the person feels that the knee is giving away or is unstable, then this signals a ligament injury. If there is a grinding or a popping sound experienced, with the person even unable to bend his knee (known as "locking" in medical terms), the reason could be a cartilage tear. Read more on knee instability.
So for knee injuries diagnosis, the doctor always begins with a physical inspection and examination of the affected area. By doing this, the doctor tries to find out that the bones and other structures of the knee are located in the right place or they have been displaced by the injury. The doctor also identifies whether the knee is held correctly. Then he checks where the pain and swelling is experienced, followed by the assessment of the blood and nerve supply to the foot and the leg. In some cases, such as when it is suspected that bones are broken, doctors might ask for an X-rays too.
Once the knee injuries diagnoses is complete, and if there is no broken bone, then the first course of treatment that is suggested is RICE, i.e resting the area, regular application of ice on the affected area to reduce the swelling and pain, putting compression wraps to hold the knee together, and keeping the knee at an elevated position. The doctors recommend physical therapy and a few strengthening exercises as well. Most of the times, these treatments are more than enough to cure knee injuries. However, if the knee injury is severe, and involves broken bones and other structures of the knee, surgery is suggested as the last option.
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