Knee Pain and Injury

An ACL injury is damage to the anterior cruciate ligament, a key stabilizer in the knee that prevents the shinbone from sliding forward and helps control rotation, commonly injured during sports that involve cutting, pivoting or jumping.

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Knee arthritis happens when the smooth cartilage in your knee wears down or becomes irritated. This leads to pain, stiffness, swelling, and trouble moving comfortably.

There are a few common causes: normal aging and wear‑and‑tear, old injuries, or autoimmune conditions that make the body attack its own joints.

Most people start with nonsurgical treatments like exercise, weight management, physical therapy, braces, anti‑inflammatory medications, or injections to reduce pain and swelling.

If symptoms become severe and daily activities are hard to do, surgery—such as partial or total knee replacement—may be considered to restore movement and reduce pain.

Overall, the goal is to help you stay active, comfortable, and able to do the things you enjoy.

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A knee ligament injury occurs when one or more of the ligaments that stabilize the knee are stretched or torn, often during sports that involve contact, twisting or sideways forces on the joint.

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A meniscus tear affects the C‑shaped cartilage that cushions and stabilizes the knee. Tears can happen during twisting or pivoting movements, especially in sports, or they may develop gradually as the cartilage wears down with age. They often occur alongside other knee injuries such as an ACL tear.

There are several types of meniscus tears, and healing depends heavily on where the tear occurs. The outer “red zone” has better blood supply and may heal more easily, while the inner “white zone” typically does not heal on its own. Common symptoms include knee pain, swelling, stiffness, catching or locking, and a feeling that the knee might give out.

Many tears—especially small or degenerative ones—respond well to nonsurgical treatment such as rest, ice, compression, elevation, NSAIDs, physical therapy, or injections. When symptoms persist or the tear is in a poorly healing area, surgical options like partial meniscectomy, meniscus repair, or meniscus transplant may be considered. With proper rehabilitation, most people regain strength, mobility, and stability and return to their usual activities.

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Osgood-Schlatter disease is an overuse condition that causes irritation and inflammation at the tibial tubercle, the bony bump just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches, most often affecting active children and adolescents during growth spurts.

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A patellar dislocation occurs when the kneecap slips partially or completely out of its normal groove at the end of the thighbone, often due to a fall, direct blow, twisting movement or underlying structural factors in the knee.

Symptoms commonly include pain and swelling around the kneecap, a popping sensation, visible knee deformity, buckling or instability, and apprehension or fear when bending or changing direction, with diagnosis based on a physical exam and imaging such as X‑rays or MRI.

Treatment depends on injury severity and recurrence risk, ranging from bracing, temporary immobilization and physical therapy for first‑time dislocations to surgical stabilization or reconstruction for recurrent instability or structural abnormalities.

At OrthoNebraska, care is personalized to the cause of the dislocation and the patient’s activity goals, focusing on comfort, clear guidance and a targeted plan to restore knee stability, reduce pain and support a safe return to daily activities and sports.

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Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), often called runner’s knee or jumper’s knee, is a common condition that causes pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap due to irritation or stress on the tissues that help the patella move smoothly.

Symptoms usually include a dull, aching pain behind or around the kneecap that worsens with activities like running, squatting, climbing stairs or sitting for long periods, sometimes accompanied by popping or crackling sensations, with diagnosis based on symptoms, exam findings and activity history.

Treatment is typically nonsurgical and focuses on reducing pain and correcting contributing factors through activity modification, rest, ice, strengthening and flexibility exercises, physical therapy, footwear or orthotic support, with surgery reserved for rare, severe cases that don’t respond to conservative care.

At OrthoNebraska, treatment is individualized to address muscle imbalances, movement patterns and activity goals, helping patients feel supported and confident while restoring comfort, function and a safe return to everyday activities and sports.

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