Knee Injuries

Knee Osteoarthritis

Degenerative process of the hyaline/articular cartilage covering the surface of the ends of the long bones in the knee. Insidious onset. Pain on weight bearing, joint effusion, pain with flexion and full extension.

Chondromalacia Patella

softening and degeneration of the cartilage on the posterior aspect of the patella, causing anterior knee pain; more commonly seen in female adolescent athletes

Osgood-Schlatter disease

inflammation or irritation of the tibia at its point of attachment with the patellar tendon; pain on tibial tuberosity, swelling, gradual ossification over time

IT band syndrome

Continual rubbing of the IT-band over the lateral femoral epicondyle leading to the area becoming inflamed.

medial meniscus tear

History of twisting injury to the knee, pain, difficulty flexing, bearing weight, clicking or catching of knee with movement, joint effusion

prepatellar bursitis

Inflammation of knee's largest sac of synovial fluid. Can be caused by repeated trauma or pressure from excessive *kneeling.*

Pes Anserine Bursitis

Inflammatory condition of the bursa on the medial knee - Pes Anserine is made up of the tendons of: 1. Sartorius 2. Gracilis 3. Semitendinosus

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Sprain

Injury to the ACL ligament from either contact or noncontact; higher rate in female athletes, pain, "pop" at time of injury, instability, joint effusion; Grade 3 will need surgical repair

Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain

Injury to the LCL usually caused by a direct force to the inside of the knee; pain on the lateral side of the knee, swelling, loss of function in 2nd and 3rd degree sprains

Medial Collateral Ligament Sprain

Injury to the MCL usually caused by a direct force to the outside of the knee; pain on inside of knee, swelling, loss of function in 2nd and 3rd degree sprains

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Injury to this ligament usually occurs from an anterior force to the tibia; least common of the sprains, usually recovers without surgery

Patellar Fracture

MOI: direct fall, direct hit, forceful extension Surgery is typical; joint effusion, limited knee extension with pain

Hyaline cartilage flap tear

Piece of hyaline cartilage on the femoral condyles tears and hangs down into the joint: pain with weight bearing, joint effusion, pain with squatting

Unholy Triad/Terrible Triad

Tears of the MCL, ACL, and Medial Meniscus

Patellar Dislocation

The patella becomes dislocated from the joint, most often laterally; MOI usually occurs from a sudden twist pulling the patella up and over the lateral femoral condyle.

Patellar subluxation

The patella begins to move laterally, but reduces itself.

Tibiofemoral Dislocation

considered a medical emergency - knee dislocation that can damage the blood vessels and nerves behind knee - can cause amputation

infrapatellar tendinitis

inflammation of the patellar tendon at the insertion into the proximal tibia; increased pain with activities, swelling, fibrotic changes over time