Watch Out for These Common Knee Problems

Knee pain can be excruciating, and if the knee is injured it may not only put you out of action for quite a while, it can make it difficult for you to do the simplest of tasks. But you don’t have to live with knee pain – help is available from Specialty Orthopaedics! If you are having pain in your knee, it may be one of these common conditions.

Arthritis

Arthritis makes joints feel swollen, stiff, and painful, and it is very frequently found in the knees. There are different kinds of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it causes the cartilage in your knee joint to wear away, which allows the bones in the knee to rub together. Post-traumatic arthritis can result from an injury or trauma to the knee, and it is much like osteoarthritis in that the pain is caused by the cartilage becoming too thin. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which can run in families.

Meniscus tear

The meniscus acts as a “shock absorber” in the knee. This piece of cartilage may tear if you twist your knee while putting your full weight on it, or a meniscus tear can even result if you lift something heavy. If the tear in the meniscus is small, you may not even notice for a day or so – but then your knee may be swollen, stiff, and painful. You might have difficulty straightening your knee all the way, and you may feel like your knee gives way when you try to stand on it.

ACL tear

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) connects your thigh bone and your shinbone. Injuries often occur during sports that involve a lot of sudden stops or direction changes, such as basketball or soccer. You might hear a loud pop when the ACL tears. The pain will be sudden and severe, and the knee will quickly become swollen.

If your knee hurts, you probably don’t even care why – you just want some relief! Contact Specialty Orthopaedics in Harrison, New York, to have your knee problem diagnosed and treated. Call 914-686-0111 for an appointment today!