The knee joint is the largest and most complicated joint in humans. It consists of three bones and is the connection between the upper and lower leg. The joint is formed by the lower end of the femur, the upper end of the tibia, and the kneecap. The surfaces that face each other in the knee are covered with cartilage tissue. Four stable ligaments provide support to the knee: the two cruciate ligaments within the joint and two collateral ligaments at the edge. The two crescent-shaped menisci, the inner and outer meniscus, lie within the joint as a kind of shock absorber.
The knee: a stable joint
The knee is extremely stable and can bear loads of up to one and a half tons in the short term. Nevertheless, it is the most frequently injured joint among athletes. Those who avoid high-risk sports are nevertheless not safe from knee problems. They occur at almost any age. Obesity, congenital or acquired postural deformities and untreated injuries all contribute to knee joint damage – in addition to the natural aging process. The knee has a good memory, and minor injuries to the joint can lead to serious joint damage in the medium to long term if they are not treated at all or not treated properly – so early detection is especially important.
See a doctor early if you have knee pain
In principle, it is better to see a specialist once too often than too seldom in the case of knee complaints. A harmless cartilage damage can become a case for an artificial knee joint within a few years. Depending on the clinical picture, the doctor will use a well-founded diagnosis consisting of anamnesis, functional tests, X-rays, CT (computer tomography) and MRI (magnetic field tomography). In difficult cases, he uses joint endoscopy (arthroscopy) for diagnosis. This has the advantage that any damage can be treated right away. During arthroscopy, a camera and miniature instruments are inserted into the knee through two approximately five-millimeter incisions. In principle, knee arthroscopies can be performed today on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia or with local anesthesia.
Gentle handling
New surgical techniques and the steadily advancing development in the field of biomedicine for the treatment of cartilage damage are causing a rethink – away from quick joint surgery. The earlier knee damage is detected and treated, the more options there are for preserving the patient’s own joint. In addition, of course, the knee should be treated as gently as possible:
- Regular exercise (for example, walking, cycling).
- Avoid excess weight
- Do not carry large loads (over ten kilograms)
- Prefer shoes with flat heels and soft soles
- Avoid severe bending of the knees (more than 30 degrees) or prolonged squatting
- If possible, do not engage in sports that are unfriendly to the knee.
Meniscus injury
Symptoms: pain in the knee that increases when bending or twisting, swelling or bruising. Movement of the knee is restricted. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis. Therapy: Tears in the meniscus can usually be operated on. The patient requires crutches and physiotherapy for about two weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. If the injury is mild, he or she can return to sports after about four weeks. In the case of severe injuries, the knee can only be fully loaded again after six months. If left untreated, a meniscus injury can lead to osteoarthritis.
Patellar Dislocation
Symptoms: When the kneecap is dislocated, mobility is significantly limited. The pain is severe and the deformity is clearly visible. Therapy: In most cases, a specialist can dislocate the kneecap with a flick of the wrist. Nevertheless, a physician must examine whether consequential damage exists. If this is not the case, sports can be resumed as before. If the kneecap pops out more frequently, the muscles can be strengthened or the patellar ligaments surgically altered. After successful therapy, sports are possible without restrictions.
Cruciate ligament rupture
Symptoms: sudden pain, sometimes the ligament audibly tears. The leg bends to the side and the affected person is unsteady when walking. Swelling and bruising occur. The way to the doctor is inevitable with a cruciate ligament tear. Therapy: The treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, the age and the athleticism of the respective patient. In athletic patients, the tear is operated on before a long rehabilitation program begins.With intensive rehabilitation, the patient is fully fit for sports again after six to nine months. Without surgery, on the other hand, the knee often remains permanently restricted in its movement, and intensive sports activities are only possible to a limited extent, depending on the extent of the injury.
Cartilage damage/arthritis
Symptoms: As a rule, this process proceeds insidiously over many years without severe pain. In the advanced stage of athrosis, the knee swells and hurts. The diagnosis is made by the specialist. Therapy: Conservative therapy involves treating pain and inflammation, as well as reducing weight and changing movement patterns! Surgical therapy ranges from simple arthroscopy to cartilage grafting and the use of an artificial knee joint. If there is damage to the cartilage, quiet sports such as swimming or cycling are recommended.
Patellar tendinopathy
Symptoms: pain conditions in the area of the knee (patella), often occurring during a growth spurt in puberty. Girls are often affected by patellar tendinitis. Injuries can also trigger the complaints. Therapy: It is carried out by sparing, physiotherapeutic measures, rarely by the use of mild painkillers. In general, the symptoms disappear spontaneously within weeks or months. In the case of longer lasting complaints, special knee bandages often help. Surgical treatment may be necessary for patellar deformities.
