WEAR AND TEAR OF CARTILAGE:
Knee cartilage can be injured as the result of a traumatic injury, degenerative arthritis, or chronic overuse. Depending on the type of injury, the different types of cartilage may be damaged. When cartilage is damaged, often it is described as a tear of the cartilage. Typically, when someone refers to a tear in the cartilage, they are talking about an injury to the meniscus cartilage.
OSTEOCHONDRITIS DISSECANS:
Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint condition in which bone underneath the cartilage of a joint dies due to lack of blood flow. This bone and cartilage can then break loose, causing pain and possibly hindering joint motion
OSTEOARTHRITIS/DEGENERATIVE JOINT DISORDER:
A type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissue at the ends of bones wears down. The wearing down of the protective tissue at the ends of bones (cartilage) occurs gradually and worsens over time. Joint pain in the hands, neck, lower back, knees, or hips is the most common symptom. Medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery can help reduce pain and maintain joint movement.
CARTILAGE/MENISCUS TEARS:
Medial Meniscus tears/Lateral Meniscus tear.
The medial meniscus is on the inner side of the knee joint. The lateral meniscus is on the outside of the knee. Meniscus tears can vary widely in size and severity. A meniscus can be split in half, ripped around its circumference in the shape of a C or left hanging by a thread to the knee joint. A common injury in which forceful twisting causes certain tissue in the knee to tear. A meniscus tear occurs in the rubbery knee cartilage that cushions the shinbone from the thighbone. The meniscus can tear with forceful twisting or rotation of the knee. Pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty extending the knee are symptoms. Treatment includes rest, ice, pain relievers, and physical therapy. Less commonly, surgery may be required.
LIGAMENT SPRAIN OR TEARS:
A stretching or tearing of the fibrous tissues connecting the leg bones at the knee. There are four types of Ligament Tears:
ACL, PCL, LCL and MCL A knee ligament injury is a sprain of one or more of the four ligaments in the knee, either the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), or the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
BURSITIS/TENDONITIS:
Bursitis is inflammation or irritation of a bursa sac. You have these sacs all over your body. They’re filled with fluid that helps ease rubbing and friction between tissues like bone, muscle, tendons, and skin. Bursitis is common around major joints like your shoulder, elbow, hip, or knee.
TYPES OF KNEE PAIN
- Chronic
- Acute injury
- Referred pain
- Diffuse pain
CAUSES OF KNEEN PAIN
- Osteoarthritis
- Autoimmune disease (such as rheumatoid arthritis)
- Inflammation such as tendinitis or bursitis (inflammation of bursae)
- Fractured bone
- Dislocation
- Pinched peroneal nerve
- Lax or strained (stretched or torn) muscles, ligaments, tendons, or cartilage
- IT (Iliotibial) band syndrome
- Chronic or acute overuse
SYMPTOMS OF KNEE PAIN
- Burning, numbness, or tingling
- Stiffness, limping, or immobility
- Swelling, redness, or warmth
- Grinding, grating, or popping sensation
- Overall discomfort and weakness
