Knee Archives - Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana Since 1951 Wed, 02 Jun 2021 16:05:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://northlaortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cropped-northlaortho-3-favicon-32x32.png Knee Archives - Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana 32 32 ACL Tears – Getting Back in the Game https://northlaortho.com/acl-tears-getting-back-in-the-game/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acl-tears-getting-back-in-the-game Tue, 01 Jun 2021 22:07:52 +0000 https://northlaortho.pntmsip1-liquidwebsites.com/?p=2222 An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is usually caused by a sudden twisting motion in the knee when an athlete lands or stops. Oftentimes, the athlete will hear a “pop” sound in addition to experiencing instantaneous pain once the injury is sustained. Common reasons athletes suffer ACL injuries include sudden deceleration and landings with the leg in a […]

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]]> An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is usually caused by a sudden twisting motion in the knee when an athlete lands or stops. Oftentimes, the athlete will hear a “pop” sound in addition to experiencing instantaneous pain once the injury is sustained. Common reasons athletes suffer ACL injuries include sudden deceleration and landings with the leg in a vulnerable position. In fact, oftentimes, athletes suffer this injury without any contact from another athlete, but instead by merely reacting to another player/athlete. Interestingly, female athletes sustain more ACL injuries than male athletes. Theories as to why this occurs are how the female knee is typically aligned (women have more of a “knock-knee alignment) and also the fact that women tend to be more “ligament dominant” than “muscle dominant.” Athletes can prevent ACL injuries by training themselves to land on the balls of their feet as opposed to landing flat-footed. Also, strengthening their quadriceps muscles and working on balance (proprioceptive exercise) can be helpful. Warming up thoroughly before participating in sports and strength training to make muscles firmer are two other means of preventing ACL injury. In addition to the “popping” sound that occurs with ACL injuries, other symptoms may include a buckling leg/knee and swelling (within 24 hours). Once the swelling subsides, athletes may return to daily life activities, but oftentimes the injury recurs once the athlete returns to competition. Proper diagnosis of an ACL injury always begins with a thorough examination by a competent physician. As part of the exam, the doctor may perform tests to determine whether the knee parts stay in their proper position after applying pressure in all directions. While an MRI is often used to detect an ACL tear, the most reliable means to detect an ACL is via arthroscopy. The arthroscopy procedure (or knee scope) requires only a small surgical incision sufficient to allow a tiny camera to detect the ACL tear. Should the athlete’s ACL injury require surgical intervention, six to nine months is a good estimate of time before the athlete can return to their preoperative sport. Physical therapy is highly recommended during this postoperative period. Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana is uniquely qualified to diagnose and treat athlete ACL injuries. Please contact our office if an ACL injury has sidelined you, and let us help you get back in the game.

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]]> Dr. David Trettin on Knee Pain https://northlaortho.com/dr-david-trettin-on-knee-pain/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dr-david-trettin-on-knee-pain Tue, 01 Jun 2021 21:19:25 +0000 https://northlaortho.pntmsip1-liquidwebsites.com/?p=2203 One of the most common musculoskeletal complaints that bring people to their doctor is knee pain. In our group practice in Monroe at the Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana, almost 40% of the new patients that we see complain of knee pain. In fact, the number of knee problems experienced by people of all […]

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]]> One of the most common musculoskeletal complaints that bring people to their doctor is knee pain. In our group practice in Monroe at the Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana, almost 40% of the new patients that we see complain of knee pain. In fact, the number of knee problems experienced by people of all ages has grown as a result of an increasingly active society.

The knee joint is the largest joint in the body. The upper and lower bones of the knee are separated by two discs (menisci). The upper leg bone (femur) and lower leg bones (tibia and fibula) are connected by ligaments, tendons, and muscles. The surfaces of the bones inside the knee joint are covered by articular cartilage which absorbs shock and provides a smooth gliding surface for joint movement.

While the knee joint’s main function is to act as a hinge in order to bend and straighten the body, the knee can also twist and rotate. Thus, injuries to the knee and overuse of the knee may hurt both the bone and also the ligaments, tendons and cartilages that help support the knee.

While many jobs, sports and recreational activity, getting older or having a disease such as osteoporosis or osteoarthritis increase the chances of having knee problems, injury is the most common cause of knee problems. Sudden or acute injuries may be caused by a direct blow to the knee from abnormal twisting, bending or falling. Pain, bruising and swelling may be severe and develop within minutes of the injury. The nerves, blood vessels, bursa (fluid sacs) which allow tendons to rub over the bone may be pinched or damaged during the knee injury. The knee or lower leg may feel numb, weak, cold, tingle or look bruised or blue. Swelling can occur sometimes very quickly after knee injuries.

Acute injuries to the knee may include:

  1. Sprain, strain or other injuries to the ligaments or tendons.
  2. Tear in the rubbery cushion to the knee joint (the meniscus), ligament tear such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or medial collateral ligament (MCL).
  3. Breaks or fractures of the kneecap, lower portion of the femur or upper part of the tibia or fibula.
  4. Severe force to bend the knee or when the knee forcefully hits an object.
  5. Kneecap dislocation. This type of dislocation occurs most frequently in 13-17-year-old girls.

Overuse injuries occur with repetitive activities or prolonged pressure on the knee. Activities such as stair climbing, bicycle riding, jogging or jumping stress the joints and tendons that support the knee and can lead to irritation and inflammation. In children, injuries to the growth plate and overuse injuries to the growth plate (Os-Good Schlatter’s) are fairly common. Other common causes of children’s knee pain include infections, tendinitis and adult-type injuries as well.

Most knee injuries and knee pain can be diagnosed in the office with a thorough history and physical exam. X-rays and occasionally an MRI scan can help confirm the diagnosis. Once the correct diagnosis of the knee pain is made, the treatment plan (medicine, physical therapy, surgery, etc.) can then be discussed with the patient. The orthopaedic surgeons at Orthopaedic & Spine Clinic of Louisiana are uniquely trained to diagnose and treat correctly knee pain or knee injuries. Please come and see one of our board-certified orthopaedic surgeons about your knee pain.

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