The knee joins the thigh to the lower part of the leg, connected by two joints. One is the tibiofemoral joint, between the femur and tibia, while the other is the paletellofemoral joint, between the femur and patella. The knee is the largest of the joints in the human body, but it is also one of the most easily injured.
What is the knee made up of?
The knee is made up of bone, ligaments, tendons, and ligaments. They work together to allow the knee to move smoothly and support the body. The knee joint is complex, and therefore it can be injured in a manner of different ways.
Common knee injuries
Some of the more common knee injuries include:
- Fractures
- Ligament injuries (such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries)
- Tears in tendons or meniscus
- Dislocation
Symptoms of a knee injury
The knee can be injured in many ways, but some of the most common symptoms include pain, especially while walking or moving, a feeling of instability, and swelling in the knee or around it. If you are in severe pain, cannot move your knee, have significant swelling, or cannot walk without limping, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment of knee injuries
Treatment of knee injuries depends on the type of injury and the part of the knee affected. Some knee injuries can be treated through methods like physiotherapy or medication. Some can be treated simply by immobilisation – meaning you cannot move your knee. Usually in these cases a cast or brace will be fitted to ensure protection and help it to heal.
In some cases, surgery may be the best course of treatment. Most surgical procedures these days are minimally invasive, using very small instruments and making minimal incisions, which usually allows for a faster healing process. In some cases, some injuries may need to be treated with open surgery which requires a larger incision.
11-13-2017 11-13-2017Knee
Mr Raghbir Khakha - Orthopaedic surgery
Created on: 11-13-2017
The knee joins the thigh to the lower part of the leg, connected by two joints. One is the tibiofemoral joint, between the femur and tibia, while the other is the paletellofemoral joint, between the femur and patella. The knee is the largest of the joints in the human body, but it is also one of the most easily injured.
What is the knee made up of?
The knee is made up of bone, ligaments, tendons, and ligaments. They work together to allow the knee to move smoothly and support the body. The knee joint is complex, and therefore it can be injured in a manner of different ways.
Common knee injuries
Some of the more common knee injuries include:
- Fractures
- Ligament injuries (such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries)
- Tears in tendons or meniscus
- Dislocation
Symptoms of a knee injury
The knee can be injured in many ways, but some of the most common symptoms include pain, especially while walking or moving, a feeling of instability, and swelling in the knee or around it. If you are in severe pain, cannot move your knee, have significant swelling, or cannot walk without limping, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Treatment of knee injuries
Treatment of knee injuries depends on the type of injury and the part of the knee affected. Some knee injuries can be treated through methods like physiotherapy or medication. Some can be treated simply by immobilisation – meaning you cannot move your knee. Usually in these cases a cast or brace will be fitted to ensure protection and help it to heal.
In some cases, surgery may be the best course of treatment. Most surgical procedures these days are minimally invasive, using very small instruments and making minimal incisions, which usually allows for a faster healing process. In some cases, some injuries may need to be treated with open surgery which requires a larger incision.
How painful is a partial knee replacement?
By Mr Gurudatt Sisodia
2024-11-21
A partial knee replacement is generally considered less invasive than a total knee replacement, but like any surgery, there is some degree of pain involved. The amount of pain experienced can vary from person to person depending on individual pain tolerance, recovery speed and how the body reacts to surgery. However, advances in surgical techniques and post-operative pain management have made the procedure more comfortable for most patients. See more
Enhanced recovery pathways – getting you back on your feet!
By Mr Ian Holloway
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Recovering from a big operation such as a hip replacement can be a challenge. The body has to recover its strength and ability to move around as normal, which can take some time. This is why there are now enhanced recovery pathways designed to optimise the recovery process to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. Leading orthopaedic surgeon Mr Ian Holloway explains. See more
How young can knee arthritis start?
By Mr Soulat Naim
2024-11-21
Often when we think of knee arthritis, we think of it being a condition affecting the elderly. These days, however, more and more young people - as early as those in their 30s - are being diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee. Read more from our expert Mr Soulat Naim on knee arthritis in young people. See more
The pros and cons of patella realignment surgery for knee instability
By Mr Christopher Rees
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Leading consultant trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Mr David Christopher Rees gives an expert guide to treatment for patellar instability in this informative article. See more
Experts in Knee
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Mr Andrew Davies
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Sports injuries
- Knee
- Knee replacement
- Ligamentoplasty
- Knee arthroscopy
- Anterior cruciate ligament
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Mr Neil Jain
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Sports injuries
- Tendon injuries
- Joint preservation surgery
- Sports surgery
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Mr Raghbir Khakha
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Sports injuries
- Joint preservation surgery
- Joint replacement
- Knee
- Paediatric orthopaedics
- Osteotomy
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Mr Chukwuemeka Nnene
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Hip replacement
- Foot and ankle
- Knee replacement
- Knee
- Knee arthroscopy
- Arthroplasty
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Mr Yousufuddin Shaik
Orthopaedic surgeryExpert in:
- Achilles tendon
- Bunion (hallux valgus)
- Joint pain
- Knee
- Stem cells
- Foot and ankle
- See all
Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
164 Cromwell Rd
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The Wilmslow Hospital - part of HCA Healthcare
The Wilmslow Hospital - part of HCA Healthcare
52-54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1NY
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The Duchy Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
The Duchy Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
Queen's Road, Harrogate HG2 0HF
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Top Doctors
-
Capital Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
164 Cromwell Rd, West LondonExpert in:
- Minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery)
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Robotic Surgery
- Shoulder and elbow
- Foot and ankle
- Knee
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The Wilmslow Hospital - part of HCA Healthcare
52-54 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 1NY, WilmslowExpert in:
- Breast Cancer
- Men's health check
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Women’s health
- Sports Medicine
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The Duchy Hospital - part of Circle Health Group
Queen's Road, Harrogate HG2 0HF, HarrogateExpert in:
- Cardiology
- General Surgery
- Plastic surgery, reconstructive and aesthetics
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Ophthalmology
- Otolaryngology
- Most viewed diseases, medical tests, and treatments
- Joint pain
- Lumbar herniated disc
- Spinal surgery
- Minimal access surgery (keyhole surgery)
- Shoulder pain
- Osteoporosis
- Botulinum toxin (Botox™)
- Abnormal gait
- Shoulder osteoarthritis
- DEXA scan