Our knees are foundational joints and play a major role in our day-to-day functioning and mobility. They not only assist and support our movement, but they also bring stability to our bodies, and any injury can be quite a setback.
With how central their role is, general wear and tear and injuries are also unavoidable, which means everyone is prone to them at some point or the other. Here are some of the most common knee injuries and the surgeries designed to manage and fix them:
Fractures are some of the most common knee injuries and tend to occur due to extreme trauma and force, such as during a car accident or other types of blunt force trauma.
The most common type of knee fracture is in the patella (kneecap), but there may be other fractures to the tibia and femur since they’re also connected. Fractures require immediate surgical intervention, especially if severe and reconstruction or replacement is needed.
Dislocation is also common and most typically occurs in the patella too. It may result from twisting, falling, or direct trauma and surgical interventions are often necessary for managing it. There may also be an injury in the knee resulting from dislocation between the femur and tibia and though rare, may prove fatal.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and sprains, tears, and injuries to either can be quite painful and debilitating. They may result from sports, vehicle accidents, and over-exertion and are incredibly common among athletes.
However, that does not mean that they’re not serious, given that they require surgery to repair or replace the ligament.
Other types of tears include patellar tendon tears and meniscal tears, typically thought of as cartilage. Both can occur during sports or accidents, falls, and direct trauma and may come with popping or tearing sensations.
These types of tears may require surgery to repair. Still, if that isn’t an option or necessary, physical therapy makes for a viable solution for many, and with time, can help individuals regain strength and mobility.
Don’t underestimate the severity and risks that come with knee injuries and pain. It can have a lifelong impact and affect your mobility in more ways than one. Set up an appointment at Houston’s leading surgical and specialty hospital, and meet with our orthopedic surgeons.
You can also learn more about our knee surgeries and procedures and our sports medicine services here.
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