Knee Pain and Injury

It’s relatively common for athletes of sports that include sudden acceleration and deceleration, pivoting, direct contact and other quick movements, to experience an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury. Unfortunately, a full tear is more common than any other type of injury, and that requires a surgical repair to regain proper knee function.

You may have an ACL injury if you are experiencing these signs or symptoms:

• “Popping” noise at the time of the injury
• Pain with swelling
• Loss of full range of motion
• Tenderness along the joint line
• Discomfort while walking

Treatment for an ACL injury varies by a patient’s needs. Sometimes, older or non-active people can attempt a non-surgical recovery, with might include bracing and physical therapy.

More on ACL INJURIEs

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: ACL Tear

×

Watch: ACL Reconstruction (Patellar)

How surgery is performed using a patellar graft

×

Watch: ACL Reconstruction (Hamstring)

How surgery is performed using a hamstring graft

Inflammation of one or more of your joints is arthritis. While any joint in your body can be affected by it, knee arthritis is one of the most common. Arthritis in your knee can cause pain, swelling and stiffness, making it difficult to handle daily tasks such as squatting or climbing stairs.

You may be experiencing knee arthritis if any of the following symptoms are impacting your lifestyle:

• Stiff or swollen knee joint (limits how far you can bend or straighten your leg)
• Pain occuring during or after vigorous activity
• “Locking” or “sticking” sensation occurs during movement
• Feeling of weakness or buckling
• Weather-induced joint pain

When arthritis is detected, nonsurgical treatment options will likely be recommended before surgery:

• Lifestyle changes (fewer stairs, switch to low-impact workouts, weight loss)
• Physical therapy
• Support from devices such as a cane, shock-absorbing shoes/inserts, brace or knee sleeve
• Heat/ice
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Injections

However, sometimes the pain level and lifestyle changes become too restrictive and surgery becomes the preferred option. OrthoNebraska’s team will work with you to develop the right treatment plan based on your needs and challenges.

More on KNEE ARTHRITIS

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: Knee Arthritis

While knee ligament sprains or tears are common, they are most often found in athletes who participate in direct contact sports such as football or soccer. A knee ligament injury is often caused by some force that pushes the knee sideways (either to the outside or the inside of the knee).

You may have a knee ligament injury if you are experiencing any or several of these signs or symptoms:

• Pain at the sides of your knee (either inside or outside)
• Swelling near the site of the injury
• Instability/feeling as though your knee is giving out)

Depending on the overall damage to the ligaments and surrounding tissues, surgery may or may not be needed. Whether the fix is surgical or not, with appropriate treatment, you should regain full range of motion and stability of your knee.

Nonsurgical treatment could include:

• Ice and rest
• Bracing
• Physical therapy

If surgical treatment is needed, the OrthoNebraska team will work with you to determine your needs, risks and the appropriate treatment plan.

More on KNEE LIGAMENT

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: PCL Injuries

×

Watch: LCL Injuries

×

Watch: MCL Injuries

One of the most common knee injuries, meniscus tears can happen to athletes participating in contact sports or anyone engaging in significant physical activity. This c-shaped cartilage in your knee can tear from trauma or from degenerative changes that occur over time. It’s not uncommon for a meniscus tear to occur along with other knee injuries such as an ACL tear.

Meniscus tears often occur while pivoting or cutting, making quick start-stop movements. In older adults, these tears can occur simply by twisting the wrong way.

You could have a meniscus tear if you have the following symptoms:

• Knee pain
• Stiffness and swelling
• “Catching” or locking of the knee
• Feeling like your knee is giving out
• Limited range of motion

Treatment for a torn meniscus depends on a wide range of factors such as your age, symptoms and activity level. Your treatment will also vary by where the tear is located within the meniscus. Nonsurgical treatment typically begins with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Additionally, anti-inflammatory medications or injections may be recommended.

If surgery is recommended, the OrthoNebraska’s team will work with you and your primary physician to develop a treatment plan that supports your goals and activity level.

More on MENISCUS TEARS

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: Meniscus Tear

×

Watch: Meniscus Repair

How this surgery is performed with an arthroscope (minimally-invasively)

×

Watch: Partial Meniscectomy

When a child’s kneecap is in place, it moves up and down within a groove at the end of their thighbone. However, during a fall or with forceful, direct contact it can be forced partially or completely out of the groove and become dislocated. While it is possible for the kneecap to slip back into place on its own, medical attention is still recommended to help with pain and to determine if other damage to the knee exists.

Common causes of patellar dislocation include:

• Shallow or uneven groove in the femur
• “Looser” ligaments (mostly in children)
• Children with cerebral palsy and Down syndrome due to imbalance and muscle weakness
• Direct blow or hard fall

Patellar dislocation is a possible culprit with any of the following symptoms:

• Pain or swelling in the kneecap
• Feeling like the kneecap is shifting or sliding out of the groove
• Feeling like the knee is buckling or giving out
• Hearing a “popping” sound when the kneecap dislocates
• Change in the knee’s appearance
• Fear of running or changing direction

Seek medical attention immediately if your child’s knee seems to be dislocated. Nonsurgical treatment options include: bracing for stabilization, crutches, and physical therapy. If additional damage is done to other areas of the knee surgery may be recommended.

OrthoNebraska’s team will work with you to develop the right treatment plan to help prevent future dislocations.

More on PATELLAR DISLOCATION

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

One of the most common knee injuries, meniscus tears can happen to athletes participating in contact sports or anyone engaging in significant physical activity. This c-shaped cartilage in your knee can tear from trauma or from degenerative changes that occur over time. It’s not uncommon for a meniscus tear to occur along with other knee injuries such as an ACL tear.

Meniscus tears often occur while pivoting or cutting, making quick start-stop movements. In older adults, these tears can occur simply by twisting the wrong way.

You could have a meniscus tear if you have the following symptoms:

• Knee pain
• Stiffness and swelling
• “Catching” or locking of the knee
• Feeling like your knee is giving out
• Limited range of motion

Treatment for a torn meniscus depends on a wide range of factors such as your age, symptoms and activity level. Your treatment will also vary by where the tear is located within the meniscus. Nonsurgical treatment typically begins with rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE). Additionally, anti-inflammatory medications or injections may be recommended.

If surgery is recommended, the OrthoNebraska’s team will work with you and your primary physician to develop a treatment plan that supports your goals and activity level.

More on RUNNER’s KNEE (PFS)

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

×

Watch: Patellofemoral Replacement

Often occurring during growth spurts, Osgood-Schlatter disease is most common among teens or adolescents. It is an inflammation of the area just below the knee where the tendon from the kneecap attaches to the shinbone that can typically be treated at home.

Your child may be suffering from Osgood-Schlatter disease if they’re experiencing these symptoms:

• Knee pain and tenderness at the top of the tibia (shinbone)
• Swelling at the area of pain
• Tight muscles in the front or back of the thigh

By age 14 for girls and 16 for boys, symptoms should disappear. At-home methods for relieving pain associated with Osgood-Schlatter disease include:

• Rest/limiting activity
• Ice
• Over-the-counter medication
• Stretching and strength exercises

For a confirmed diagnosis or specialized care, contact the OrthoNebraska team. We’ll work collaboratively with you to ensure your child receives the right care.

More on OSGOOD-SCHLATTER DISEASE

Schedule Now with a Knee Specialist

×

Watch: Osgood-Schlatter Disease