Knee Injuries

Under the umbrella term “dislocation, sprain (distortion), and strain of the knee joint and ligaments of the knee joint” (synonyms: Acute outer meniscus basket handle tear; Acute inner meniscus basket handle tear; Acute knee joint cartilage tear; Acute basket handle tear; Acute meniscus tear; Outer meniscus basket handle tear; Upper tibiofibular joint dislocation; Distal femoral dislocation; Distal femoral dislocation; Distorsio genus; Distorsion of fibular collateral ligaments of knee; Distorsion of lateral collateral ligaments of knee; Distorsion of medial collateral ligaments of knee; Distorsion of lateral collateral ligaments of knee; Distorsion of tibial collateral ligaments of knee; Distorsion of posterior cruciate ligament; Distorsion of medial collateral knee joint ligament; Distortion of the superior tibiofibular joint; Distortion of the proximal end of the tibia; Distortion of the proximal end of the tibia; Distortion of the semilunar cartilage of the knee; Distortion of the anterior cruciate ligament; Distortion of a ligamentum cruciatum genus; Fresh knee injury; Fresh basket handle tear; Fresh traumatic cartilage tear of knee; Inner ligament rupture of knee; Inner meniscus posterior horn lobe tear; Inner meniscus posterior horn transverse tear; Inner meniscus basket handle tear; Inner meniscus basket handle rupture; Inner meniscus tear; Knee dislocation; Knee distortion a. n.k. ; Knee joint dislocation; Knee dislocation; Knee dislocation; Knee dislocation; Cartilage rupture of the knee; Complete tear of the medial collateral ligament of the knee; Complete tear of the fibular collateral ligament of the knee; Complete tear of the posterior cruciate ligament; Complete tear of the medial collateral ligament of the knee; Complete tear of the tibial collateral ligament of the knee; Complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament; Basket handle tear; Basket handle tear of the meniscus of the knee; Basket handle tear of the semilunar cartilage; Cruciate ligament distortion of the knee; Cruciate ligament tear; Cruciate ligament rupture; Cruciate ligament rupture of the knee; Luxation of the proximal tibia laterally; Luxation of the proximal tibia medially; Luxation of the proximal tibia posteriorly; Luxation of the articulatio tibiofibularis; Luxation of distal femur posteriorly; Meniscal tear; Meniscal distortion; Meniscal distortion with fresh tear; Meniscal tear; Meniscal laceration; Meniscal tear; Meniscal rupture; Meniscal injury; Multiple knee injuries a. n.k. ; Muscle strain of the knee; Partial tear of the external ligament of the knee; Partial tear of the fibular collateral ligament of the knee; Partial tear of the posterior cruciate ligament; Partial tear of the medial ligament of the knee; Partial tear of tibial collateral ligament of knee; Partial tear of anterior cruciate ligament; Patellar dislocation; Patellar distortion; Patellar dislocation; Proximal fibular dislocation; Proximal tibial dislocation; Proximal tibiofibular knee distortion a. n.k. ; Proximal tibiofibular sprain; Proximal tibiofibular strain; Proximal tibial dislocation; Proximal sprain of tibiofibular ligament; Proximal sprain of tibiofibular joint; Proximal sprain of tibiofibular ligament; Proximal strain of tibiofibular joint; Tear of internal meniscus of knee; Tear of lateral meniscus of knee; Tear of anterior cruciate ligament of knee; Rupture of anterior cruciate ligament of knee; Tear of lateral ligament of knee; Semilunar cartilage distortion with fresh tear; Tear of semilunar cartilage; Rupture of semilunar cartilage; Injury of lateral meniscus with injury of cruciate ligament; Injury of lateral meniscus with injury of collateral ligament; Injury of medial meniscus with injury of cruciate ligament; Injury of medial meniscus with injury of collateral ligament; ICD-10-GM S83. -: Dislocation, sprain and strain of the knee joint and ligaments of the knee joint) the following knee injuries are summarized:

  • Luxation of the patella (kneecap; ICD-10-GM S83.0) – this can be further differentiated into:
    • Acute traumatic luxation of the patella
    • Acute habitual patella (sub)luxation
    • Recurrent patella(sub)luxation
    • Congenital patellar luxation – luxation caused by a genetic malformation.
  • Luxation of the knee joint (ICD-10-GM S83.1) – usually in sports or traffic accidents (high-energy trauma).
  • Acute meniscal tear (ICD-10-GM S83.2) – mainly caused by rotational movements when the lower leg is fixed or else degenerative
  • Acute tear of the knee joint cartilage (S83.3)
  • Sprain and strain of the knee joint involving the (fibular) (tibial) collateral ligament (fibular (fibula)/tibial (tibia); ICD-10-GM S83.4) – partial or complete
  • Sprain and strain of the knee joint involving the (anterior) (posterior) cruciate ligament (ICD-10-GM S83.5) – partial or complete
  • Sprain and strain of other and unspecified parts of the knee (ICD-10-GM S83.6)
  • Injury to multiple structures of the knee (ICD-10-GM S83.7) – Combination of meniscal injuries with ligament injuries.

The knee joint is particularly at risk in sports involving contact with opponents (e.g., handball, soccer) or high rotational loads. Meniscus injuries are among the most common sports injuries of the knee joint (25-40% of knee injuries). Among ligament injuries, injuries to the medial and anterior cruciate ligaments are leading. After damage to the ankle joint, injuries to the knee joint are among the most common sports injuries (approximately 30% of all sports injuries). A combination of anterior cruciate ligament tear, damage to the medial meniscus, and injury to the medial collateral ligament is diagnosed most frequently. The incidence (frequency of new cases) for anterior cruciate ligament rupture (cruciate ligament tear) is approximately 0.5-1 cases per 1,000 population per year (in Germany). The anterior cruciate ligament is eight times more frequently affected by a rupture than the posterior cruciate ligament. Course and prognosis: The prognosis depends on the type and extent of the injury. The follow-up treatment (physiotherapy) is also crucial. If knee joint injuries are left untreated, gonarthrosis (wear and tear of the cartilaginous articular surfaces of the knee joint) may occur as a result.In meniscal injuries, the prognosis is usually good – full sports ability is usually regained; in the long term, premature joint degeneration may occur in patients with meniscal tears with extension/flexion inhibition.In ligamentous injuries, functional recovery is usually possible; full sports ability is usually regained. In the case of anterior and posterior cruciate ligament rupture, premature joint degeneration is to be expected in the long term.In the case of cartilage injuries, insofar as cartilage contusion (cartilage contusion) is present, functional recovery and full sports capability are usually achieved again after a consistent rehabilitation program. In the presence of cartilage damage/flake fracture (osteochondral lesions; avulsion fracture or shear fracture), complete recovery is usually not achieved; premature joint degeneration is to be expected in the long term. Note: Approximately 80% of severe knee injuries were preceded by a minor injury 1-3 weeks earlier.