The knee joint is the meeting point of the thigh bone (femur) and the lower leg bone (tibia). It is supported by muscles, tendons, ligaments as well as disc-shaped menisci. Since it bears maximum body weight and is put to constant use, it is prone to injury as well as wear and tear. Knee injuries may vary from a fracture, tendon or ligament tear, bone displacement or sprains and strains.
Causes
- Direct hit or trauma to the knee joint
- Sports injury
- Overuse of the joint
- A fall, jump or twist
- Arthritis or Osteoporosis
Symptoms
- Pain which can be mild to severe. It may tend to aggravate during or after an activity
- A popping sound or sensation may be heard or felt in the knee
- The joint may feel weak and loose
- Swelling, bruising, tenderness or redness
- Inability to bear body weight, stand, walk or bend
- Numbness in the joint
- Pricks and needles may be felt
- Visible deformity
Prevention Tips
- Orthopedic doctors recommend wearing knee straps or guards during sports or recreational activities to lend adequate support to the joint.
- Refrain from carrying excessive loads as it may stress the joint.
- Maintaining a healthy weight reduces the risk of developing Osteoarthritis which may weaken the knee joint and make it prone to injury.
- Adequate warming up before playing or exercising stretches the thigh muscles, prevents stressing of the tendons and reduces pressure on the knee joint.
- Wear shoes that enable proper alignment of the feet, knee joint and the legs during any activity.
- The intensity of workout whether at the gym or outdoors should be enhanced gradually to prevent injury to the knee joint
- Physical therapy helps to strengthen the knee joint and support muscles in case the person is already experiencing pain or discomfort in the joint
- Regular exercise and use of the joint helps to maintain its flexibility
- A diet rich in calcium helps to maintain bone strength and reduce the risk of a fracture
- Learn the right techniques and methods of playing a sport, exercising or using an equipment from a trainer before practicing them