Traumatic injury of the knee joint – effects, when to see a doctor, diagnosis, treatment

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Traumatic knee injuries often arise because the knee joint is exposed to large and frequent injuries. We can distinguish extra-articular injuries concerning the capsule and ligaments as well as intra-articular injuries in the form of meniscus damages as well as cartilage and bone injuries of the intra-articular structures. Knee injuries most often occur during sports, as a result of improperly performed exercises.

What are traumatic knee injuries?

All traumatic injuries of the knee joint, such as the kneecap, meniscus or cruciate ligaments, very often affect athletes and people who are actively involved in physical activity. Damage to the knee joint occurs when its physiological endurance is exceeded by various loads. We distinguish damage:

1. extra-articular – lead to various types of instability; conservative treatment is used more often in extra-articular injuries;
2. intra-articular – exudates, intra-articular hematomas and joint blocks in extension or flexion; are assessed on the basis of a clinical examination, sometimes by ultrasound; require arthroscopic diagnostics or magnetic resonance imaging; surgery is often used, most often arthroscopic.

The most common damage is the meniscus, which is located between the articular surfaces of the tibia and the femur. The second most common injury is injuries to the ligaments responsible for stabilizing the knee. Finally, there are kneecap injuries.

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Construction of the knee joint

The knee joint is a combination of two long bones: the tibia and the femur. The surface of these bones is lined with a fairly thick layer of articular cartilage, which is responsible for the free movement of bones between them. In turn, between the bones there are articular menisci, which, thanks to the proper fit to the articular surfaces, have a high resistance to injuries. You can call them the so-called shock absorbers.

Inside the joint, however, there are cruciate ligaments that are responsible for preventing the tibia from sliding forward or backward. The cruciate ligaments keep our gait smooth and the knee structures wear out more slowly. The joint is strengthened from the inside by the medial collateral ligament, and from the outside by the lateral collateral ligament.

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Traumatic injuries of the knee joint and its consequences

1. Dislocation of the kneecap — characterized by a lateral shifting of the kneecap; unfortunately, the consequence of such an injury can be kneecap instability and a high risk that such incidents will repeat themselves. In most cases, the kneecap adjusts spontaneously, but its repeated dislocations may lead to a situation in which a piece of cartilage breaks off from the articular surface. Then its elements move around the pond and mechanically block it.

2. Tear of the medial collateral ligament – in the course of this injury there is pain located on the inside of the knee, especially when it is bent inwards. A ruptured medial lateral ligament usually heals on its own, although if left untreated it can prolong the process and lead to painful scarring.

3. Injury of the anterior cruciate ligament – is a damage resulting from a major torsion injury to the knee, in which most patients complain of an unpleasant sensation of breaking something inside the knee. The trauma is manifested by joint pain and sometimes knee “running”. In all cases, treatment should be initiated, as an untreated injury may lead to instability in the knee joint. In contrast to the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior ligament is less likely to be damaged.

4. Injury of the meniscus – the lateral meniscus is most rarely damaged (then the pain is located on the outside of the knee). On the other hand, when the medial meniscus is damaged, the pain is located on the inside of the knee; usually occurs when walking or when squatting. Untreated damage to the meniscus leads to its deterioration and recurrent damage to the articular cartilage. This, in turn, significantly accelerates the formation of degenerative changes. Injury to the meniscus sometimes prevents the knee from fully straightening because the joint is blocked by its severed fragment (an orthopedic visit is necessary).

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Traumatic knee injury – when to see a doctor?

First of all, a distinction must be made between a traumatic injury and a knee contusion or minor injuries that can heal spontaneously. There are bruises that do not require a doctor’s intervention, and which we can heal ourselves at home, e.g. by covering a bruised knee with ice or using special sprays. After that, it is enough to lubricate the sore area regularly with anti-inflammatory or analgesic gels. An orthopedist should be consulted if symptoms persist after about three days. You should also absolutely go to a specialist when

1. there is severe pain
2. it is impossible to completely straighten the knee,
3. you have a feeling of knee instability
4. there is effusion in the joint
5. you felt that something snapped in the joint during the injury.

Diagnostics of traumatic injuries of the knee joint

Proper diagnostics is very important. Of course, we are not able to determine what type of injury we are dealing with, so any damage to the knee joint should be a reason to visit an orthopedist. This is important because delaying the implementation of appropriate treatment often ends with the destruction of the structures of the knee joint and the need for surgery. Before the appropriate steps are taken, however, the doctor makes a diagnosis based on clinical symptoms and the result of imaging tests.

The basic imaging tests performed in diagnostics are:

1. X-ray of the knee joint (accurately shows the structure of ligaments, cartilage and bones),
2. magnetic resonance imaging,
3. ultrasound examination (pictures fractures, even those that are often invisible on the X-ray image).
4. computed tomography.

The diagnosis of traumatic knee injuries is best performed in specialized centers dealing with this type of injury.

Traumatic knee injury – treatment

Choosing the right treatment depends on many factors, such as:

1. patient’s age,
2. number of damaged ligaments,
3. type of damage: inside or outside the joints,
4. the degree of physical activity of the patient.

The doctor takes into account the type of damage and the symptoms present, and then makes decisions about further treatment. For example, minor damage to ligaments is treated by temporary immobilization followed by rehabilitation. The situation is different in the case of a complete rupture of the ligament – then it is necessary to repair it during surgery.

For prophylaxis and as an auxiliary in treatment, dietary supplements for joints can be used, eg Joint Complex – comprehensively for joints Viridian available in the form of capsules.