Whether you are an athlete or you lead an active lifestyle, you might have experienced a knee injury at a certain point. If you experience a dislocation or fracture, you can visit your orthopedic sports medicine surgeon Buford, GA, for evaluation and treatment. Treatment options will differ according to the injury type.
Types of knee injuries
According to the knee anatomy, you can experience an injury to the bones, cartilage, tendons, or ligaments. If any of the mentioned parts are affected, you might experience different symptoms usually accompanied by pain.
The following are common knee injuries:
Dislocation
Different bones at the knee joint enable the knee to bend or straighten. If any bones slip out of the alignment, specialists point toward bone dislocation at the knee cap. The dislocation hinders movement and can be quite painful for the patient.
The main causes of dislocation include contact sports and impact trauma from a car accident or a fall. To avoid knee dislocation in sports, sports medicine specialists recommend protective gear.
Fractures
If the bones in the kneecap or around the knee are broken due to an intensive force, you might experience a knee fracture. One of the bones affected by high-impact trauma is the kneecap or patella.
The kneecap is located at the front of the knee and can receive a direct hit from a ball or baseball bat during contact sports. The fractures can be closed or open. Closed fractures mean no visible bone piercing the skin, while open fractures will have bones piercing the skin.
Another type of kneecap fracture might show a broken kneecap with all bones intact, while the opposite can be a broken kneecap with displaced bones. These different types of kneecap fractures require tailored and personalized treatments.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis usually occurs in athletes who incorporate jumping into their daily routine like runners. It occurs when the tendons that connect the shinbone to the kneecap are injured. The injury causes pain and tenderness around the joint.
Bursitis
The knee has fluid-filled sacs called bursae which enable smooth movement of knee joints, tendons, and ligaments. The bursae avoid the bones and joints crashing into each other. Due to repetitive movements or overuse of the knee, the bursae can swell due to inflammation.
While your specialist can recommend rest, you can receive a prescription for antibiotics according to your case.
Treatment options
Different treatment options vary depending on the type and severity of the knee injury. Treatment for a strain will vary from a fractured knee. While rest is highly recommended for most minor injuries, severe injuries call for more dramatic treatment options.
Depending on your knee injury, your sports medicine specialist will offer the following types of treatment:
- Physical therapy
- Medications for pain and inflammation
- Rest
- Surgery
After recovering from surgery, you can undergo physical therapy to restore movement and strength to your knee.
Sports medicine specialists at Team Fisher Orthopedics can help you identify your knee injury and offer suitable treatment options. Call or schedule an appointment online to restore your knee’s movement and strength.
