5 Common Knee Injuries and Their Symptoms

If you’ve never experienced knee pain before, then you probably take the largest joint in your body for granted at times. But anyone who has ever experienced knee pain knows just how big a problem it can be, and about the major disruptions it can cause to everyday life.

The knee supports nearly the entire weight of the human body, and for that reason it is fortunate that it is the largest joint in the body. However, there are still many common problems to the knee, and even minor issues can substantially impact someone’s quality of life by limiting mobility.

In this first posting for our new sports medicine blog, we here at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute want to take a look at five very common problems that often arise in the knee, as well as the symptoms that accompany these problems.

5 Common Knee Injuries and Their Symptoms

1 Knee Strain or Sprain Symptoms

Strain or sprain in the muscles or ligaments of the knee. A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament, a strong band of connective tissue that connect the end of one bone with another. A strain is an injury to a muscle and/or tendons.

• Stiffness of the knee
• Aching in the knee
• Pain that affects not just the knee but also the leg, hip and/or foot

2 Ligament Tear Symptoms 

• Pain in the knee
• Swelling of the knee
• Feeling of instability in the knee
• Popping sounds in the knee

3 Knee Meniscus Tear Symptoms

• Pain in the knee
• Swelling of the knee

4 Tendon Injury Symptoms

• Pain in the knee
• Tenderness
• Decreased ability to move the knee
• Decreased strength of the knee

5 Knee Bursitis Symptoms (Inflammation of the Synovium)

• Pain in the knee – particularly when pressure is applied to the knee or it is in motion
• Swelling of the knee
• Redness and warmth of the knee

The causes for these and other knee problems are extremely varied, and can affect people at any age. Many young people may develop knee injuries as a result of sports injuries, though these conditions can develop over time under normal use conditions in older adults.

Physically demanding sports like basketball and football can cause athletes to tear the meniscus or the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), while a common knee injury among runners is fittingly known as Runner’s Knee. At OSMI, we have one of the best staffs providing sports medicine in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

As you can see, many knee injuries and conditions share many of the same symptoms, so self-diagnosis of knee pain can be difficult if not impossible. That’s where Dr. Boothby and his staff at OSMI comes in, and we’ll use the most advanced diagnostic treatments to determine the exact cause of your injury, and then work to devise the best treatment plan personalized specifically for you.

Though we do perform knee surgery if it is necessary, doctors exhaust all non-operative, conservative treatment options before surgery is recommended. We value an open communication between our staff and patients and a comfortable environment created by our support staff.

Learn about the Types and Causes of Common Knee Injuries and Problems

1. Types and causes of Knee Injuries and Problems
2. Knee Anatomy
3. Knee Pain and Injury Symptoms and signs
4. When to Call your Doctor
5. Treatment for Common Knee Injuries and Problems
6. Ice or Heat for An Injury?
7. Meniscus Tear
8. Preventing Knee Injuries
9. Knee Replacement

Our goal at OSMI is to provide our patients quality, cutting-edge orthopedic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical.  If you have questions about knee arthroscopy or surgery, knee joint pain, or physical therapy, please submit an online appointment request or contact our office at 817-529-1900.