The knee joints are the major weight-bearing joints in a person's body and are quite prone to injury. Strengthening the bones, muscles and connective tissues of the knees can help decrease a person's risk of injuring her knees. Such exercises include squats, lunges, leg extensions and leg curls. It can take up to 50 weeks for a person to regain near normal strength and function of her knees after an injury.
Types
A person suffering from a knee joint injury may have patella tendinitis or inflammation of his quadriceps tendon. He may also have sprained the ligaments that hold his leg bones together. The pillow-like sacs, or bursas, that prevent friction in his knees during movement may be irritated. Repetitive activities can wear away the cartilage in the knees, leading to arthritis. The pads of cartilage or meniscus in his knees may tear, according to Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., and her colleagues in their book, "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries."
Features
Inflammation of a person's patella or quadriceps tendon will cause pain, inflammation and swelling above or below her patella or kneecap. Her knee will be tender to the touch, and she may also hear grinding or clicking noises at the site of inflammation. A person with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament or posterior cruciate ligament deep within her knees will hear a pop, according to Schultz. If a person is suffering from bursitis, she will experience pain and swelling. Her knee will appear red and warm to the touch. A person with a torn meniscus will have pain, swelling and tenderness. She may experience instability on her affected knee.
Effects
An injury to a person's knee may induce injuries to his other joints as he compensates for his injury. He will be unable to completely flex or extend his knee. If he has a torn meniscus, he will experience instability on the affected knee and it may give way, causing him to lose balance.
Treatment
Initial treatments for a person suffering from tendinitis, bursitis, sprains, meniscus tears and ruptures include immobilization or rest, compression, pain medication and the application of a cold compress. Surgery will be needed if she has a torn meniscus or her ligaments rupture. Continued treatment for tendinitis, bursitis and sprains includes the application of a hot compress. Once pain and inflammation have subsided, a person may begin to do stretches and exercises for her knee, beginning with easy movements and progressing to more difficult ones, advises Schultz.
Prevention
A person can prevent knee injuries by avoiding repetitive exercises, such as bending or kneeling. He should also wear knee pads to reduce risk of inflammation to the bursa under his patella, according to the Mayoclinic.com. A light warm-up and a quick stretch of his legs will further reduce his risk of knee injuries.
References
- "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries"; Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., Peggy Houglum, Ph.D., and David Perrin, Ph.D.; 2005
- Mayo Clinic: Sprains: First Aid
- Mayo Clinic: Knee Bursitis
- Ortho Info: American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Meniscal Tears
