What Types Of Doctors Treat Knee Injuries
Often, knee injuries are cared for by primary care providers who have the knowledge and skills to diagnose and treat many of the common knee injuries that occur. Orthopedic surgeons are involved in knee injury care to determine whether surgery might be required. They are also the specialists to perform the surgery. Physical therapists have an important role in the treatment of knee injuries regardless of whether surgery is required.
What Is Knee Tendonitis
Knee tendonitis is an often painful condition which is commonly known as patellar tendonitis and/or jumpers knee . Knee tendonitis is an inflammation of the patellar tendon of the quadricep muscles that runs over the patella. This tendon is important for the contraction of the quadricep muscles. This tendon originates from the thigh muscles and inserts itself into the bone of your shin .
Why Should You Massage Yourself
Trigger points and muscle tension dont just disappear by themselves. Its just the opposite. If theyre not treated, they will stay for a long time and can cause problems that are more or less severe in this case it concerns pain behind the knee.
You can, however, massage the trigger points out of your muscles and normalise the tension in them.
The only thing you have to do is show your nervous system where there is too much tension. You do this by applying pressure to the areas in question.
This will lead to the reduction of tension and alleviate your painprovided, of course, you do the massage regularly!
Its not as complicated as it may sound. Just try it out.
First, a bit of information about your massage to make sure you get results.
- Massage yourself daily, until your pain is gone completely.
- Focus exclusively on the painful spots in your muscles. Dont work on the surrounding tissue. If the massage is too painful, simply apply less pressure.
- On the pain scale from 1 to 10, you should be situated between 4 and 7.
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How Is Knee Pain In Teens Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider will ask about your teens knee pain:
- Is there a known cause for the knee pain does it happen with certain movements or is there no specific known event?
- How long has the pain been present?
- Where on or around your knee do you feel pain?
- Does the pain wake you up at night?
Your provider will perform a physical exam, checking:
- Kneecap and knee stability.
- Alignment of lower leg, kneecap and thigh.
- Range of motion of hips and knees.
- Thigh muscle strength, flexibility, firmness.
Your provider may order imaging tests including X-rays or a CT scan or MRI .
Diagnosis Of Quadriceps Tendonitis
Your provider will diagnose quadriceps tendonitis during a full physical examination.
In the physical exam, you will be assessed for range of motion, joint stability and flexibility. Your physician will also look for torn or ruptured tendons in the quadriceps and discuss training that led to the injury.
In some cases, your doctor will order an x-ray or MRI to determine if there are more severe tears or fractures that are causing the pain.
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Causes Of Pain Behind The Knee
Pain behind the knee can be simple or difficult to diagnose, depending upon the cause. Here are some of the most common causes of posterior knee pain:
Bakers cyst
A lump-like swelling behind the knee is characteristic of Bakers cyst, making it fairly easy to diagnose. This type of cyst is also called a popliteal cyst because it is located in the popliteal fossa, a small hollow at the back of the knee.
It forms when synovial fluid gathers at the back of the knee. Injury or stress from arthritis can trigger the accumulation of fluid.
Different forms of arthritis
Arthritis is the generic name given to diseases that affect the joint. Arthritis can cause pain anywhere in the knee joint, including the back.
Knee pain is most often associated with osteoarthritis, the type that is related to aging or overuse. Knee pain can also occur with rheumatoid arthritis, but it will occur in both knees at once.
Gout is a type of arthritis that first attacks the big toe, but later attacks may strike the knees. Septic or infectious arthritis is caused by an infection that lodges in a joint, usually a knee.
Infection
Besides infection in the knee joint , posterior knee pain could result from several other infections, including:
- Infection in the bone
- Infection of one of the fluid-filled sacs called bursae
These infections have different causes and symptoms, although pain, redness, heat, and swelling are typical of most infections.
Injury
Deep vein thrombosis
What Are The Types And Causes Of Knee Injuries
While direct blows to the knee will occur, the knee is more susceptible to twisting or stretching injuries , taking the joint through a greater range of motion than it was meant to tolerate.
If the knee is stressed from a specific direction, then the ligament trying to hold it in place against that force can stretch or tear. These injuries are called sprains. Sprains are graded as first, second, or third degree based upon how much damage has occurred. Grade-one sprains stretch the ligament but don’t tear the fibers grade-two sprains partially tear the fibers, but the ligament remains intact and grade-three tears completely disrupt the ligament.
Twisting injuries to the knee put stress on the cartilage or meniscus and can pinch them between the tibial surface and the edges of the femoral condyle, potentially causing tears.
Injuries of the muscles and tendons surrounding the knee are caused by acute hyperflexion or hyperextension of the knee or by overuse. These injuries are called strains. Strains are graded similarly to sprains, with first-degree strains stretching muscle or tendon fibers but not tearing them, second-degree strains partially tearing the muscle tendon unit, and third-degree strains completely tearing it.
There can be inflammation of the bursas of the knee that can occur because of direct blows or chronic use and abuse.
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Diagnosis For Pain In The Back Of Your Knee
To diagnose the cause of pain in the back of your knee, a medical doctor may give you a physical exam. The doctor may also run additional tests, including:
- An X-ray, which is an invisible magnetic energy beams to create images of internal bone and tissue
- Magnetic resonance imaging , which is an electric transmission of energy, magnet, and computer that is used to detect damage or disease in the body
- Computed tomography scan , which is an electric transmission of energy and computer that creates extremely detailed images of bones, muscles, and organs
- Arthroscopy, which is a medical procedure using a small tube inserted through a small incision into the joint. Images from inside the joint are projected onto a screen and used to determine the pain source
- A radionuclide bone scan, which is a medical procedure where a tiny amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream. A scanner is used to see the blood flow and determine the source of the pain
What Are Potential Complications
If you dont have medical treatment, patellar tendonitis can worsen. You may damage your tendon more severely, limiting your everyday functioning.
Resting your legs and stopping activity can be emotionally difficult for athletes, in particular. They may not want to stop playing, even though its painful. For professional athletes, patellar tendonitis can be a career-ender if left untreated.
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Three Hamstring Muscles Are Located Behind The Knee At The Back Of The Thigh:
- Biceps Femoris
- Semimembranosus Muscle
- Semitendinosus Muscle
These muscles work together to flex the knee and extend the hip. Many times the semitendinosus muscle is overused or strained resulting in what is commonly known as a pulled hamstring. This muscle is located between the semimembranosus muscle and the biceps femoris.
Pain Behind The Kneecap: Causes
Other causes that can lead to pain behind the knee include:
- Having flat feet.
- Poor bone alignment, also known as poor alignment of the patellofemoral joint.
- When there is stiffness or weakness in the muscles of the thigh, both anterior and posterior.
- Overloaded exercises like running, jumping, skiing or playing soccer.
- Cartilage injuries.
- Dislocation of the kneecap .
- A clamping of the inner lining of the knee that causes it to move.
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Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
The posterior cruciate ligament plays a similar role to the ACL, though it is less likely to become injured than the ACL.
PCL injuries may happen during traumatic events, such as falling directly onto the knee from a height or being in a vehicle accident. With enough force, the ligament may tear completely.
PCL injuries cause symptoms such as:
- knee pain
- stiffness in the knee if bending
- difficulty walking
- swelling in the knee
Completely resting the knee may help a PCL strain heal. However, a severe PCL injury may require surgery.
Treatments For Knee Tendonitis
Treatment for tendonitis will depend on the severity of the injury. The following are possible treatments for tendonitis:
Medications
You can take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by knee tendonitis. You can also use over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin. Minimally invasive pain-relief treatments include corticosteroid injections and platelet-rich plasma injections.
Home care
Here are some simple steps you can take to take care of tendonitis pain. At the first sign of pain:
- Avoid activities that put stress on your knees or cause pain
- Apply ice
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The Most Common Symptoms Of Hamstring Tendonitis Can Include Some Of The Following:
- An increase in the amount of pain, especially as it relates to a repetitive movement
- Pain in the knee joint or the close surrounding areas
- Swelling and tenderness in the area of the knee and thigh
- Radiating pain that travels up the thigh and, sometimes, to the hips and pelvis
- Poor flexibility and pain when the knee is bent
- Intense pain when trying to walk or bend the knee
What Are The Causes Of A Quadriceps Tendon Tear
Tears can be caused by:
- Injuries such as a fall or cut to the knee, or by jumping
- Patella tendinopathy which can weaken the tendon
- Long-term diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or infection
- Immobilisation the muscles and tendons supporting the knee weaken when they have not been used for a long time
- Previous surgery such as a total knee replacement although this is rare
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What Can A Professional Do
- A professional practitioner will fully assess your injury and refer you for imaging if required.
- Deep tissue sports massage to the muscle along with ultrasound therapy may be beneficial.
- A full rehabilitation program to strengthen both the quadriceps and the hamstrings should be undertaken.
- A doctor may prescribe NSAIDs or anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen if necessary and for persistent or severe cases a corticosteroid injection may be used if the above treatment fails.
How To Treat Patellar Tendonitis
Patellar tendonitis can worsen without proper treatment. It will eventually result in degeneration of the tendon. This condition is common in many athletes and affects more than 20 percent of all jumping athletes. Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter pain relievers, a patellar tendon strap, or cortisone injections. In rare cases, surgery may be recommended. You will be required to stay off the knee as much as possible while it heals, significantly limiting your activity.
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What Is The Pain Behind My Knee
Behind knee pain can be due to a fairly mild condition, such as a torn hamstring that responds well to rest and self-care measures. However, behind knee pain can result from a Bakers cyst or deep vein thrombosis. With both conditions you may have pain, swelling, and bruising behind the knee and calf.
Chronic Pain Behind The Knee
Pain at the back of the knee may occur gradually. You are unlikely to be able to pinpoint the exact time your injury occurred. These injuries often start out as a niggle which you will attempt to ignore. Eventually they become progressively worse.
Chronic knee injuries can be more difficult to treat so do not ignore the early signs!
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What Is The Prognosis For A Knee Injury
The goal for treating knee injuries is to return the patient to their previous level of activity. The prognosis for an individual injury depends upon the type of injury, the underlying health of the patient, and their willingness to work with their care provider and therapist to maximize their outcome.
Pain Behind The Knee: Causes Symptoms And Treatment
Do you suffer from pain behind the kneecap? It is common to suffer from bad knees, especially if you are an athlete, elderly or do a lot of sport. The area behind the knee, if not treated correctly, can injure easily. There are several types of injuries and conditions which can affect the general knee area. Pain can manifest in one area but only appear in another. Therefore, it is important to know where the pain is coming from so that you can treat it accordingly.
Do you experience pain behind the knee when bending? How about pain behind the knee when running? For more about its pain behind the knee causes, symptoms and prevention, keep reading here at OneHOWTO.
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Taming Tendinitis In The Knee
Tendons are the bands of fibrous tissue that attach muscle to bone. Tendinitis tendon inflammation is often a repetitive strain injury. You get it by repeating the same motion over and over, which irritates the tendon. Joints commonly affected by tendinitis include the elbow, heel, and wrist.
Weekend warriors often develop tendinitis in the knees. Simply being overweight can also contribute to knee tendinitis. Age is another risk factor. Over time, tendons become less flexible and the involved muscles lose strength, both of which further stress the tendons. Inflexible hamstring and quadricep muscles make you more susceptible as well.
Symptoms of tendinitis of the knee include:
- pain above or below the kneecap
- swelling
- pain that recurs with particular activities and eases with rest
- in severe cases, pain becomes constant and can even disrupt sleep
Here are some simple steps you can take to quell tendinitis pain. At the first sign of trouble:
- limit activities that put stress on your knees
- apply ice
Conditions Associated With Pain Behind The Knee
Two common conditions that cause pain behind the knee are:
- a popliteal cyst, also called Bakers cyst
- posterior cruciate ligament injury
A cyst is a collection of fluid inside a thin layer. A popliteal cyst is a cyst in the shallow depression at the back of the knee. Its often linked to other conditions affecting the knee, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cartilage injuries and inflammation of the knee joint. Many types of injury can cause a collection of fluid. Often it will be a heavy blow to the front of the knee, from falling forwards or playing a contact sport. The natural mechanism of the knee pushes this excess fluid backwards and it collects in the depression at the back of the knee, over time, causing a cyst to form.
A posterior cruciate ligament injury is caused by overstretching or tearing of this ligament, which runs across the knee from the thigh to the shin bone. It often results from a heavy blow to the front of a bent knee, sometimes from falling forwards or during a contact sport, such as rugby. Other typical injuries can occur when the knee hits the dashboard during a car accident or when the leg is over-straightened and the knee is bent backwards. Doctors call this hyperextension.
You can access a range of treatments on a pay as you go basis, including physiotherapy. Find out more about physiotherapy >
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Do You Have Pain Behind The Knee
The soft tissue that connects the hamstring muscle to the pelvis, shinbones and outer part of the knee is known as the hamstring tendon or tendons. If that tendon gets inflamed, torn, or is otherwise strained, a person might first notice pain in the back of the knee and, sometimes presenting in the thigh as well.
Left untreated, the pain caused by this type of injury generally continues to increase over time, especially if a person is unable or unwilling to stop or alter the movements that lead to the tendonitis in the first place.
Hamstring tendonitis is often diagnosed with an X-ray or an MRI scan.
How Does One Treat Heal Cure And/or Fix Knee Tendonitis
Many individuals that experience pain in their knee are confused as to what the best course of treatment is. This will vary depending on what stage the disease is in. Treatment for knee tendonitis includes:
Medication & Bracing – Initially a period of rest, as well as using ice, and avoiding aggravating activities which trigger symptoms may be required. Medications such as Acetaminophen, Ibuprofen, and Naproxen Sodium may be taken or prescribed as well. In some cases, the use of a patellar tendon strap or brace may be used to alleviate pain during functional activities.
Physiotherapy – Physical therapy aims to use specialized modalities such as soft tissue mobilization, taping, dry needling, ultrasound, muscle stimulation, and shockwave among others to quicken recovery.Moreover, specific corrective exercises which help to strengthen and stretch the muscles of the lower limb are required for successful rehabilitation. These exercises may vary given the cause of the individuals root cause of injury. These are often prescribed by a Physiotherapist after a functional physical examination.
Injections – If the injury is deemed severe, suitable patients may require further intervention. Sometimes the use of a corticosteroid injection may be used, however, this may do harm as it can actually weaken the tendon and lead to rupture over time
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