Knee Arthritis

This type of arthritis is caused by the wear and tear on the cartilage that is found inside the knee joint. Elderly individuals are more prone to the effects of knee arthritis which include pain with changing weather conditions, limits in the range of knee motion, stiffness of the knee joint, and swelling.

Ligament Damage

Damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be another source of knee pain. The ACL serves the purpose of preventing the tibia from sliding past acceptable ranges. ACL damage causes the knee to become unable to support the weight of an individual during certain motions and as a result, collapses and falls can occur. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) keeps the tibia from moving to far in the backward direction. Car crashes can be a common cause of PCL injuries as the knee impacts with the dashboard. Medical collateral ligaments (MCL) run from the end of the femur to the tibia and are subject to damage that can cause knee pain.

Cartilage

Weight is distributed onto the various parts of the knee via the medial tibia plateau and the lateral tibia plateau which are composed of cartilage. These can be torn when the knee joint is flexed and there is an awkward twist of the knee. These injuries occur to athletes and to the elderly more than the average person.

Treatment

Knee injuries can be treated with steroids such as cortisone or by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that serve to inhibit the body’s production of prostaglandins which are responsible for swelling. These drugs can be taken by mouth, systemically, or injected. Most non-steroidal treatments are available without the need for prescription. Hot and cold compresses can be used to reduce swelling of the knee and improve blood flow that can help to expedite the healing process. Stretching can help to prevent knee injuries from occurring as well as treat existing injuries by improving the range of motion of the healing tissue. Doctors recommend stretching for 20 minutes prior to physical activity and advise individuals to hold their stretches, rather than bouncing, which can, in itself, cause damage.

contact@physicaltherapysolution.com