Common Knee Injuries
The knee is a simple hinge joint which primarily moves in only one plane. However, because the knee is so central to most athletic and work movements, it is one of the most commonly injured joints. Overuse knee injuries are common in sports that involve running and jumping, such as long-distance running, cycling, basketball and volleyball. Acute traumatic knee injuries are common in sports that involve contact, collisions, twisting and pivoting, such as hockey, rugby and football.
In addition, knee injuries are prevalent in daily life and work activities that involve repetitive or squatting positions, such as heavy lifting, farming, roofing and yardwork. Knee injuries may include strains, sprains or tears of ligaments, tendons and muscles. They can also include tendonitis, tendinopathy, dislocations and contusions.
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a rubbery layer between the knee bones made of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber for the knee joint. Meniscus tears commonly occur from injuries that involve deep squatting, twisting or sometimes direct impact, and can often occur at the same time as knee ligament injuries.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, swelling, loss of motion and sometimes mechanical symptoms such as catching or locking. Besides acute injury management, treatment for meniscus tears includes physiotherapy, manual therapy, strengthening and may requires surgery.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
The ACL is a very important ligament deep inside the knee that is crucial for providing knee stability in sports or physical activities that involve twisting or pivoting motions. An ACL tear occurs when there is a sudden stop or change of direction especially with a pivot or twist; also occurs from a direct impact that hyperextends the knee.
Symptoms Include:
Rapid swelling, pain, “pop” at time of injury, difficulty weight-bearing and giving-way. Besides acute injury management, treatment for ACL tears includes intensive physiotherapy, bracing, neuromuscular retraining and often surgical reconstruction. Read more.
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) Sprain
The MCL is a ligament at the medial or inner side of the knee. An MCL sprain involves tearing or stretching that typically occurs from an impact to the outer (lateral) side of the knee which forces the knee to buckle inward (medially).
Symptoms Include:
Pain at the medial side of the knee, local swelling and feeling “loose” if severely torn. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy and bracing, and usually does not require surgery.
LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) Sprain
The LCL is a ligament at the lateral or outer side of the knee. A LCL sprain involves tearing or stretching that typically occurs from an impact to the inner (medial) side of the knee which forces the knee to buckle outward (laterally).
Symptoms Include:
Pain at the lateral side of the knee, local swelling and feeling “loose” if severely torn. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy and bracing, and usually does not require surgery.
PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) Injury
The PCL is a ligament deep inside the knee that helps to provide stability to the knee. An PCL tear typically occurs from a direct impact to the upper shin bone (tibia) or from a fall onto the front of the knee.
Symptoms Include:
Swelling, pain, lack of motion and pain on weight-bearing. Besides acute injury management, treatment for ACL tears includes physiotherapy, bracing, neuromuscular retraining and sometimes can require surgical reconstruction.
Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper's Knee, patellar tendinopathy, patellar tendinosis)
Overuse injury that results in inflammation of the patellar tendon which connects the knee cap to the upper shin bone (tibia). Common in basketball and volleyball players, patellar tendonitis typically occurs from excessive jumping, running or sudden decelerations.
Symptoms Include:
Pain at the front of the knee just beneath the knee cap, and sometimes local swelling. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, gluteal muscle strengthening, stretching, massage therapy, chiropractic and other manual therapy. Bracing, strapping and taping can also be used. As with other overuse injuries, patellar tendonitis requires addressing any contributing factors such as training techniques, body biomechanical issues and footwear. If especially troublesome, then specialized injections may be needed.
ITB (Iliotibial Band) Syndrome
Overuse injury that results in inflammation of the ITB which is a thick tight band that passes from the hip to the (lateral) part of the knee. Common in runners, especially when starting a running program or increasing the intensity, during or frequency of running.
Symptoms Include:
Lateral knee pain that tis especially sharp and stabbing, and that often stops you from running. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, gluteal muscle strengthening, stretching, massage therapy, chiropractic and other manual therapy. As with other overuse injuries, ITB syndrome requires addressing any contributing factors such as training techniques, body biomechanical issues and footwear. If especially troublesome, then specialized injections may be needed. Learn more.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)
Overuse injury that results in at the front part (anterior) of the knee, that is often felt as “around” or “beneath” the knee cap. Common in sports and exercise that involve running, jumping, squatting or repetitive knee bending.
Symptoms Include:
Pain and sometimes grinding sensations. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, gluteal muscle strengthening, massage therapy, chiropractic and other manual therapy. Bracing, strapping and taping can also be used. As with other overuse injuries, patellofemoral syndrome requires addressing any contributing factors such as training techniques, body biomechanical issues and footwear.
Quadriceps Tendonitis
Overuse injury that results in inflammation of the quadriceps tendon which connects the thigh quadriceps muscles to the top of the knee cap. Typically occurs from excessive jumping, squatting, running or sudden decelerations.
Symptoms Include:
Pain at the front of the knee just above the knee cap, and sometimes local swelling. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, gluteal muscle strengthening, stretching, massage therapy, chiropractic and other manual therapy. Bracing, strapping and taping can also be used. As with other overuse injuries, patellar tendonitis requires addressing any contributing factors such as training techniques, body biomechanical issues and footwear. If especially troublesome, then specialized injections may be needed.
Osteoarthritis
Degeneration of the knee cartilage layer which acts like a shock absorber. Contributing factors include older age, previous serious injuries (e.g. ACL tears, tibial plateau fractures, large meniscal tears), heredity/genetics, and certain professions or activities that put abnormal straining on the knee.
Symptoms Include:
Pain, swelling, mechanical symptoms (e.g., grinding, catching, clicking), stiffness, and decreased range of motion. Treatment is multi-factorial and includes losing excessive weight, strengthening, appropriate exercise, pain medication and creams, anti-inflammatories, physiotherapy, bracing, supplements, injections and may eventually require knee replacement surgery if severe.
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
An overuse knee injury that occurs in children and adolescents who are physically active, especially during growth spurts between the ages of 10 to 14. Involves inflammation of the growth plate at the tibial tuberosity which is where the patellar tendon connects to the upper shin bone (tibia).
Symptoms Include:
Pain, local swelling, and a “bump” at the tibial tuberosity. Besides acute injury management, treatment includes physiotherapy, gluteal muscle strengthening, quads and hip flexor stretching. Bracing, strapping and taping can also be used, as well as topical anti-inflammatories. As with other overuse injuries, Osgood-Schlatter Disease requires addressing any contributing factors such as training techniques, body biomechanical issues and footwear.
It is important to note that specific treatments may vary based on the severity of the injury and individual factors. Seeking professional medical advice for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plan is recommended for optimal recovery.
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