Knee injuries are common in athletes and people who are involved in accidents. The knee joint links the thigh to the lower part of the leg, and is composed of bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Any of these parts of the knee can become damaged. Injuries to this area can severely affect a patient’s life. In order to swiftly diagnose and treat knee injuries, clinicians and patients must be able to quickly recognize signs of the injury.
Pain
Pain is a common symptom of knee injuries, reports MayoClinic.com. Injuries to the tendons, ligaments, bone or even the covering surrounding the joint often result in intense pain. The pain is severe and sudden. Often, the pain worsens when the patient moves his knee.
Placing weight on the joint when walking or going up stairs can exacerbate the pain. Severe pain will prevent the patient from moving normally and performing daily tasks. Patients will be unable to bend the joint without experiencing excruciating pain.
Swelling
Injuries to the knee can often cause the area around the joint to swell and become inflamed, states KidsHealth.org. The knee injury causes a release of chemicals that causes the joint to swell and become red. The tissues and skin around the affected knee become much larger than normal and may be tender upon touch.
Patients should place ice on the injury to prevent swelling and seek expert medical attention. Once the injury is healed, swelling should subside.
Instability of the Knee Joint
Injuries to the knee will often result in instability in the joint, according to "The New York Times Health Guide." Each part of the knee, from the tendons to the ligaments, is required for the knee to support the patient’s weight.
Once any part of the knee becomes damaged, the integrity of the entire joint becomes faulty and the knee may be unable to bear the patient's weight. The patient will be unable to stand or walk without help or the use of an assisted walking device, such as crutches.
Fluid Within the Knee
Patients suffering from a knee injury may notice that fluid can be felt behind the kneecap, or patella. This fluid build-up in the joint can be a symptom of a knee injury, according to MayoClinic.com. The fluid comes from the tissues damaged by the injury and from a series of pathologic processes that force fluid into the knee.
Excess fluid within the knee often hampers the patient’s ability to move the knee normally. Patients may be unable to fully straighten or bend the joint. Doctor’s may opt to drain the fluid to help reduce strain on the knee.
