Knee injury: common causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options, recovery time. Knee injury from a fall: treatment and recovery Damage to the knee from a fall

In medical practice, knee injury is quite common. Such damage is often suffered by the elderly and those who lead an active lifestyle, engaging in various sports activities, or people who love extreme sports. In the event that such an incident occurs, urgent emergency care is needed for the victim in order to prevent the development of possible complications, and for its correct provision, you need to know what knee injuries are and how to behave in a given situation.

In medicine, there are several types of knee injuries:

bruises;
ruptures and damage to the menisci;
bleeding into the joint cavity;
patella injury;
damage to the ligaments of the knee joint;
articular fractures.

Causes

There are many factors and situations that lead to knee injury, but most often they occur for such reasons:

mechanical shocks to the knee area;
falls from hills;
incidents of natural origin;
engaging in active or extreme activities;
road accidents;
adverse weather conditions;
retirement age and deterioration of the stability function;
martial arts.

bruises

The safest injury, which is characterized only by damage to the upper layer of the epidermis. Most often, such knee injuries occur during a fall and are rarely accompanied by unpleasant consequences.

First symptoms:

severe pain in the area of injury;
the formation of bruises, abrasions and hematomas;
possible manifestation of soft tissue edema at the site of injury;
manifestations of pain when trying to move the affected leg.

Diagnosis is carried out in a specialized institution under the supervision of an experienced doctor. The first step is to interview the patient, palpation of the injury site, and then a study using x-rays, which is carried out to exclude the presence of fractures and other more serious injuries.

Treating this type of knee injury is not difficult. The doctor recommends pharmaceutical preparations (ointments and gels) that will contribute to the speedy recovery of the knee and prescribes the treatment of wounds with antibacterial agents. During the recovery period, the leg needs as much rest as possible. Also, to prevent infection in the wound, you need to rewind the knee with a bandage or dressing.

Bleeding into the joint area (hemarthrosis)

With a knee joint injury of this type, blood enters the joint cavity, which leads to the onset of an inflammatory reaction of the synovial membrane. This damage occurs as a result of a violation of the integrity of one of the parts of the knee joint.

First signs:

acute pain syndrome;
visual deformation of the injured joint;
deterioration in the performance of the affected limb;
increase in body temperature.

In order to confirm hemarthrosis, it is necessary to conduct a complete examination using the following diagnostic procedures:

knee puncture;
X-ray;
arthroscopy.

After the doctor confirms the presence of hemarthrosis, the necessary tactics for treating a knee joint injury will be immediately prescribed. The first step is to remove blood from the knee cavity of the joint. After that, arthroscopy is very helpful for thorough rinsing. Next, the injured limb is fixed for two weeks with a plaster cast or orthosis. On the sixth day after the incident, physiotherapy procedures are prescribed, which help well in restoring the knee joint:

magnetic therapy;
UHF and microwave therapy;
electrophoresis;
phonophoresis.

meniscus injury

The most common type of knee injury. Often the inner meniscus is damaged. And in case of an injury to the external one, the usual functionality of the joint often worsens.

Symptoms:

acute pain at the site of injury;
the occurrence of swelling of soft tissues;
deterioration in performance;
the appearance of hemarthrosis;
formation of abrasions, bruises and scratches.

If an effusion is found in the joint cavity, a puncture is performed.

Diagnostic methods are:

survey;
x-ray;
magnetic resonance therapy;
arthroscopy procedure.

A knee injury of this type requires only surgical intervention. During the operation, the task of doctors is to restore the cartilage plate and remove its dead particles. On the tenth day, the doctor prescribes rehabilitation after a knee joint injury, which consists in performing developing gymnastics, attending massage and physiotherapy procedures.

Patella injury

Very often, a fracture of the patella is accompanied by a violation of the extensor function and the presence of intra-articular injuries of a different nature. There are several types of such fractures:

damage to only the cartilaginous part of the patella;
transverse;
edge;
detachable.

Typical symptoms of such an injury are:

severe pain;
swelling of the soft tissues of the knee region;
the appearance of hemarthrosis;
when moving or palpation procedure, the pain is more intense;
visual change in the joint;
deterioration of the motor function of the leg.

Diagnostic procedures are similar to those for meniscal injury. The first step is a puncture to remove the contents of the fluid in the joint cavity, and then a survey, radiography, ultrasound, MRI and arthroscopy procedure.

The treatment of this knee injury is chosen by a qualified doctor, based on the results of the examination and the diagnosis. After the puncture, the limb is fixed with plaster for four months. And after its removal, the doctor prescribes rehabilitation after a knee injury. It consists in physiotherapy exercises, a visit to a developing massage and physiotherapy procedures. The rehabilitation period is also appointed by the attending physician.

Damage to the joint capsule and ligaments of the knee

In the case of this injury to the capsule, ligaments and tendons, complete ruptures of the collateral and cruciate ligaments are very important. The causes of such injuries are excessively active types of sports activities.

Injury symptoms:

severe manifestations of pain;
feeling of tension in the muscle area;
difficult motor activity;
the formation of various lesions of the skin (scratches, abrasions, redness, hematomas, etc.).

To confirm such an injury, diagnosis is required using x-rays, ultrasound, and MRI or CT.

If there is fluid inside the joint, a puncture procedure is performed. It consists in removing blood from the cavity of the knee joint. Next, an operation is performed, the task of which is to restore the integrity of the joint capsule, ligaments and tendons. After the completion of the surgical intervention, the doctor prescribes the wearing of a hinged orthosis for a month and a half. To speed up the recovery process, exercise therapy in case of injury and special massage and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed.

At the end of the treatment of each of the above injuries, it is imperative to recover from injuries. The rehabilitation period and its methodology are assigned individually for each victim, based on the results of the diagnosis and the nature of the damage that has occurred.

Pathologies of the joints cause serious problems in everyday life, a knee injury is especially difficult for people to tolerate. Due to the complex structure, it is problematic to restore the functionality of the knee in case of damage. Any violation, whether it be a dislocation or a fracture, threatens with dangerous complications. So, frequent problems with damage to the knee joint are limited movement and acute pain. If you do not start urgent treatment, trauma can result in disability.

Knowing the anatomy of the structure of the knee joint, we can conclude that the damage to this part of the body is diverse. Treatment depends on the type of disorder.

So what are knee injuries? Let's highlight the main ones:

- non-spread damage, which, if it occurs, is rarely isolated. Accompanied by swelling, loss of sensitivity;
dislocation of the patella- caused by a sprain or rupture of the ligaments, injuries of the patella are usually found in older children. Do not require serious medical manipulations;
- a relatively harmless disorder that does not require long-term treatment. However, after a bruise in the knee, fluid may accumulate, which is why a puncture is performed;
rupture of the posterior horn of the meniscus- one of the frequent problems, as a rule, occurs in athletes. Often accompanied by a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee (ACL). It implies the development of hemarthrosis, due to which motor activity worsens. With a constant, deforming arthrosis progresses;
- if the femur and tibia are affected, the development of cracks and fractures is not excluded. The knee is characterized by closed fractures. Violation is accompanied by displacement of the leg and pathological mobility of the joint. In the absence of adequate therapy leads to disability;
cartilage injury- rarely occurs separately and accompanies injuries of several structures and tissues of the knee joint. Provokes stiffness and acute pain;
sprain or rupture of ligaments- occurs due to overstretching. If we talk about the localization of damage, then the lateral and internal lateral, anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments of the knee joint may be involved in the pathological process. Damage to the capsular-ligamentous apparatus of the knee joint is considered the second most common.

ICD 10 injury code

Intra-articular lesions of the knee receive the ICD 10 code - M23. In case of dislocation of the ligamentous apparatus of the knee joint, code S83 is given. Bruises are assigned separate codes. Bruised knee joint code S80.0.

Causes

Most often, knee injuries occur during a fall. The risk group includes athletes: football players, gymnasts, hockey players. You can get a knee injury while running fast or while dancing and playing tennis. Skating and skiing are also potentially dangerous sports.

In football, athletes are more likely to get meniscal injuries. Active leg training often leads to overstrain of the capsular-ligamentous apparatus. Among sports injuries, sprains, bruises, and torn ligaments are the most common. Sometimes trauma is minor, but permanent, as evidenced by discomfort after training.

Calyx injuries that occur in athletes are more difficult to treat, due to constant stress during exercise. If the traumatic factor is not eliminated, it is problematic to restore damaged structures.

A blow to the patella can be obtained at home. When swimming, damage occurs during a jump or in shallow water. Weightlifting also adversely affects the condition of the joints. Excessive loads lead to deformation of the cartilage tissue and increase the risk of injury.

You can also get injured in an accident, during icy conditions, when wearing the wrong shoes. Heeled shoes are especially dangerous - if the leg turns up, the knee joint and ankle suffer. Diseases of the skeletal system increase the risk of joint damage.

Symptoms

In mild cases, signs of injury are blurred. This occurs with a bruise or subluxation of the patella. The main symptoms of a knee injury include:

severe pain syndrome;
crunch in the knee when moving;
local increase in temperature;
gait disturbance;
pathological joint mobility;
accumulation of fluid in the knee;
blockade - one of the characteristic symptoms of traumatization of the meniscus of the knee joint;
swelling of the knee;
limb numbness.

In the event of a fracture or rupture of the meniscus of the knee, immobilization is a sign of a violation. Retraction of the lower leg back is impossible, or the victim cannot straighten the leg.

Knee pain accompanies any injury. If the cruciate ligament is injured, swelling occurs, movements are limited, the very moment of rupture is accompanied by sharp pain. If the meniscus is damaged, the knee after a pain injury: the limb swells, clicks are heard during extension, severe swelling interferes with movement. If a knee injury is received during a fall, hematomas occur.

First aid

At first, relief of pain and decongestant therapy are required. For this purpose, an anesthetic is given and cold is applied. It is also necessary to take measures to immobilize the injured limb. With a knee injury, an elastic bandage is traditionally applied. In general, first aid for a knee injury is similar to PMP for other types of injuries. Cooling, anesthesia and rest are essential to prevent complications.

What medicines can be given for acute pain? Standard analgesics and NSAIDs will help. If the pain does not go away, painkillers are given. Cold compresses can prevent the appearance of tumors and hematomas.

What to do if the knee is deformed? It is not necessary to set the limb, but it must be immobilized. Take into account the features of immobilization in fractures and dislocations - it is necessary to achieve immobilization, but not pulling the joint. If we are talking about trauma to the ligaments, then immobilization is carried out with a wide elastic bandage. The bandage is applied from the upper end of the leg to the lower end of the thigh.

Diagnostics

An experienced doctor can determine the nature of the damage during the initial examination. Cracking during palpation and movement indicates a rupture of ligaments or tendons. Fractures are accompanied by displacement of fragments and deformations in the joint itself. Multiple knee injuries require detailed diagnosis. In traumatology and orthopedics, radiodiagnostics has proven itself well. This is a set of measures involving radiation studies in order to determine the state of hard and soft structures.

The main methods of radiodiagnostics in orthopedics include:

MRI and CT of the knee joint;
radiography;
ultrasonography;

Additional diagnosis of knee injuries involves arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive procedure that provides a more complete understanding of the clinical picture and at the same time allows for therapeutic actions.

Treatment

If the pain syndrome is severe, then an anesthetic medicine is offered, taking into account sensitivity. To relieve the symptom of inflammation, a solution of dimexide is recommended. Fractures, open wounds, and sprains are treated differently. Injury to the meniscus of the knee joint is difficult to treat. Treatment is carried out in a hospital and requires an integrated approach. Injuries to the meniscus of the knee joint involve the following treatment:

drug therapy for minor injuries;
with frequent blockades, suturing and resection of the meniscus are prescribed;
progressive synovitis requires minimally invasive non-surgical procedures.

Treatment of an injury to the meniscus of the knee joint at an early stage can be carried out without surgery. In case of crushing, complete removal of the meniscus is prescribed.

If a fracture is suspected, it is important to deliver the victim to traumatology as soon as possible. In case of an impacted injury, the knee does not bend, in the case of a side impact, the lower leg is displaced. Methods of treatment of such injuries are selective and are selected individually. Only a traumatologist can decide how to treat a knee injury. Skeletal traction and plaster immobilization are traditionally used. Treatment of the knee joint at home after a fracture is impossible. If the knee injury is not treated and the damage is left unattended, complications will arise.

If there is no fracture and the meniscus is fine, the doctor may prescribe a bandage to immobilize. For the knee, orthoses of various degrees of rigidity are selected, as well as elastic knee pads. They can be worn after treatment in order to prevent re-injury.

Often, after an old injury, the knee aches and hurts, which is a sign of a violation in the capsular-ligamentous apparatus. If the synovitis of the knee joint progresses, home treatment is recommended. The orthopedist prescribes systemic NSAIDs, external gels - Diclofenac, Voltaren.

In the case of hemarthrosis of the knee joint after injury, treatment with ointments and physiotherapy is recommended. First, the blood and fluid in the knee joint after the injury is pumped out, then immobilization is performed, and laser therapy is prescribed. If the accumulation of fluid in the knee joint continues after the injury, the cause of the violations is looked for and eliminated by a conservative or surgical method. The traditional treatment of knee joint injuries is combined with traditional medicine, herbal medicine, exercise therapy.

Surgical treatment

If conservative treatment of a knee injury does not give positive results, surgery is performed. Surgical intervention requires complex damage to the meniscus, comminuted and intra-articular fractures, ruptures of ligaments and tendons. Surgical treatment, which is carried out immediately after admission to the hospital, involves:

stitching and plastic surgery of ligaments- when drying, the tissue is replaced by tendon or synthetic material. The method is suitable for the treatment of injuries of the anterior, posterior and lateral ligaments. After the operation, the limb is immobilized;
arthroscopy- a method for examining and treating an injured limb, which involves performing punctures with preliminary application of a tourniquet on the upper thigh. Allows you to excise fragments of the meniscus or cartilage and bone fragments in case of a fracture;
osteosynthesis- implies the fastening of bone fragments with metal structures. Such treatment is necessary in cases where there is a strong displacement. Screws are usually used, less often plates and tie bolts.

Rehabilitation

Of great importance after the removal of gypsum is a rehabilitation program. Recovery of the knee joint after a severe injury will be lengthy. Procedures are selected individually, taking into account the clinical picture of the patient's age, the extent of damage. Usually, rehabilitation after an injury to the meniscus of the knee joint includes exercise therapy, physiotherapy, and knee massage.

The program of physical therapy includes gymnastic exercises, yoga, methods of delicate stretching. Massage of the knee joint for any injury should be performed by a specialist. A month and a half after the operation, it is recommended to connect an exercise bike, a treadmill, and exercise with a load. The recovery period varies, but it takes several months, sometimes a year, to strengthen the knee.

The doctor will draw up an individual program for the recovery of the knee joint after a specific injury, explain how to strengthen the knee joint and avoid re-injury. Restoration of the ligaments of the knee joint and muscles after an injury is a prerequisite for a gradual increase in the load. Do not overload the limb if control over the muscles is lost.

How to restore the knee joint after a fracture or rupture of ligaments largely depends on the age of the patient. Children and young people recover faster and start physical therapy earlier. Older people are more suitable for massage and physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy

The plan of physiotherapy exercises for a knee joint injury is drawn up taking into account the patient's condition. Exercises to strengthen the knee joint include general gymnastics recommended after an injury, and specific exercises to strengthen the ligaments, increase support, and improve muscle tone.

Loads for the knee joint after injury increase gradually. Exercise therapy for a meniscus injury involves raising a straight leg, first without load, then with weighting, which has a positive effect on the quadriceps femoris muscle and capsular-ligamentous apparatus. Also, after a meniscus injury, extension exercises are suitable for developing the knee joint, and later an exercise bike is connected.

In the rehabilitation of the knee joint after an injury, physiotherapy plays an important role. Physiotherapy will complement the set of exercises for injuries and speed up reparation. Magnetic therapy, ultrasound, infrared irradiation will bring benefits.

The program of activities for the development of the knee after an injury includes paraffin applications, treatment with ozocerite. If you combine exercises to restore the ligaments of the knee joint with salt baths, which are recommended to be done immediately after an injury, it will be possible to defeat swelling and prevent contractures. A rehabilitation specialist will tell you more about how to develop a knee, since working out a knee joint takes a long time and requires patience.

Complications and consequences

Various factors lead to severe consequences of knee joint injuries: the presence of concomitant diseases of the musculoskeletal system, advanced age, non-compliance with doctor's instructions, refusal of emergency treatment.

Chronic meniscus injuries lead to chronic inflammation and atrophy, arthrosis, and stiffness. The consequences of damage to the meniscus of the knee joint also include contractures, bursitis. Often, after a fracture or rupture of the ligaments, the knee does not extend or does not extend enough. If appropriate post-traumatic treatment is not carried out, chronic disorders can lead to disability.

Dear readers of the 1MedHelp website, if you have any questions on this topic, we will be happy to answer them. Leave your feedback, comments, share stories of how you survived a similar trauma and successfully coped with the consequences! Your life experience may be useful to other readers.

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Date of: 2016-10-17 Views: 32 655 Grade: 5.0 Probably every person at least once in his life worried about pain in the knee joint. The reason for this can be both acute injuries due to injuries, and age-related degenerative changes in the tissues of the joint. This is due to the complex anatomy, as well as the increased stress experienced by the knee. In the statistics of sports injuries, knee injuries occupy a leading position. Quite often, it is the knee that causes the end of the career of professional athletes. As I said, the structure of the knee joint is very specific, and has a number of features. 1. In fact, the knee joint consists of two joints: the tibiofemoral and the femoral-patellar. Very often, after an injury, the syndrome of patello-femoral conflict develops. This occurs due to traumatization of the articular surface of the patella, which becomes uneven, as if rough. The patella can no longer slide normally over the surface of the thigh, which causes pain during flexion - extension of the leg. 2. In the cavity of the knee joint there are menisci, cartilaginous formations that play the role of a kind of gaskets. These structures can be damaged even with a slight traumatic impact. 3. Complex ligamentous apparatus of the joint. In addition to the external, extra-articular ligaments, there are two cruciate ligaments in the knee cavity: anterior and posterior. These structures are also quite often traumatized.

It is one of the most common injuries. It occurs, as a rule, with a direct blow, or with a fall on the knee. It is characterized by pain, both at rest and during leg movements, swelling of soft tissues. Sometimes a hematoma appears, which spreads to the lower leg and thigh within 2-3 days. Does not require specific treatment. Cold is placed on the knee for 15-20 minutes. with a break for an hour, then again and so 3-4 times during the first two days. You can apply anti-inflammatory ointments. With severe pain - analgesics. The leg must be given rest for 7-10 days. During this time, as a rule, everything passes. With severe swelling, severe pain, it is better to consult a doctor.

II. Sprain

It is also a fairly common injury to the knee joint. Clinically, it does not particularly differ from a bruise, i.e., it is also accompanied by soreness and swelling of the tissues. Sometimes there may be a feeling of instability, twisting of the leg when standing up. It can only be confirmed by ultrasound results. Painkillers and cold are also used in the treatment. It is necessary to immobilize the leg in the knee brace for up to 10-12 days.

III. Meniscus injury

As a rule, the mechanism of injury is a twisting of the leg with a fixed lower leg (for example, it often happens when skiing). In most cases, the inner meniscus is damaged, as it is more tightly fused with the joint capsule. With an injury, intense pain is noted on the side of the patella. A symptom of "locked" knee is possible, when the victim cannot bend the leg due to intense pain and the feeling of a foreign body inside the joint. Damage to the meniscus is often accompanied by hemarthrosis - the accumulation of blood in the joint. If this injury is suspected, the leg should be immobilized immediately with a splint or bandage. It is necessary to immediately contact a traumatologist. The doctor performed an appropriate examination for a final diagnosis. MRI of the knee joint is the most informative in confirming these injuries. Recovery in such cases takes from 1 to 2.5 months, depending on the degree of damage and the treatment.

IV. Knee ligament rupture

One of the most severe knee injuries. Due to the peculiarities of biomechanics, the anterior cruciate ligament is more often damaged. With its complete rupture, the supporting function of the joint is impossible. When a cruciate ligament is damaged in a person, he feels a dislocation, a feeling of instability in the leg. Injuries are often accompanied by severe pain and swelling. Cruciate ligament injuries are diagnosed using the "drawer syndrome". The injured knee is bent at a right angle and they try to move the lower leg back or push it forward. If it moves forward, then the person has an injured anterior cruciate ligament, and if it moves back, then the damage has touched the posterior cruciate ligament. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain and swelling of the joint. Cold is applied to the injury site, painkillers are given and complete rest of the injured limb is provided. Clarification of the diagnosis is also carried out by means of tomography. Partial ligament injury is treated conservatively. With a complete rupture of the ligamentous apparatus, they resort to plastic surgery of the ligaments, or their endoprosthetics.

They make up 0.4-0.7% of the total number of dislocations of all joints. The probability of dislocation of the patella increases with a shallow patella, a poorly developed external condyle of the thigh, a violation of the relationship between the axis of the quadriceps muscle and the proper ligaments of the patella. As a rule, the cause of dislocation of the patella is direct trauma (fall on the knee joint, side impact to the patella), combined with contraction of the quadriceps muscle. Acute traumatic dislocation of the patella is accompanied by severe pain. The knee joint is slightly bent, enlarged in volume, expanded in the transverse direction (with lateral dislocations). Joint movements are not possible. On palpation, the patella is displaced to the side. Sometimes traumatic dislocation of the patella is reduced spontaneously. Patients in such cases note an episode of sharp pain in the leg, which was accompanied by a feeling of undermining and displacement in the knee. After a self-reduced dislocation of the patella, there is a slight or moderate swelling in the area of the knee joint. Acute patellar luxation is usually treated conservatively. The dislocation is reduced under local anesthesia. The limb is flexed at the hip joint (to loosen the quadriceps tendons) and extended at the knee joint. Then the patella is gently displaced until the dislocation is eliminated and a plaster splint or bandage is applied for up to 4 weeks.

VI. Fractures of the bones that form the knee joint

This type of injury causes, as a rule, an intense pain syndrome, which forces the victim to immediately consult a doctor. In this review, we will not analyze such damage, leaving this work to professionals. Thus, we examined the most common injuries in the knee joint area. Once again, I note that it is not always worth self-medicating. If you are in doubt about the nature of your injury. If the swelling in the knee area does not go away for a long time or even increases, and the pain syndrome does not stop, consult a specialist. The sooner a correct diagnosis is made, the greater the chance of recovery.

Knee injury is almost inevitable in the lives of people who lead an active lifestyle. Joint damage of varying degrees of complexity at least once in a lifetime is received by every person who is imprudent. Most older people suffer from the consequences of such injuries, when they experience age-related changes in the tissues of the knee, there is a decrease in body reserves. Knee injury happens when you fall.

Household trauma. There are different types of joint injuries. There are bruises, numbness, a change in the shade of the skin, swelling, severe pain. After damage to the knee, the consequences of the injury are the reasons for the deprivation of the patient's ability to work.

Sudden joint injury. Superficial wounds:

Abrasions are the most common type of knee injury. The top layer of the skin is damaged. Having received such a microtrauma, the victim feels a burning sensation and pain. The red spot at the site of injury often swells and bleeds. The intensity of bleeding depends on the depth of the abrasion.
This superficial wound does not pose a big threat to life, however, the healing process will be complicated if an infection gets into the wound and the damaged area of the skin becomes inflamed. It is important to know how to treat abrasions in order to avoid complications.
The treatment of abrasions on the knee should be started immediately after the injury. In case of violation of the skin, it is necessary to wash the damaged area with plenty of water with antibacterial or laundry soap, treat with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green.
When a knee is bruised, compression of bone and soft tissue structures occurs, damage to small vessels, irritation of nerve endings. Injury to the knee joint leads to complications. Such damage threatens with the destruction of soft tissues, loss of physical activity, and deformation of the cartilage.
The limb is deformed when the knee joint is dislocated, its functions are significantly impaired. The shell of the bone joint and the ligamentous-articular apparatus are damaged, swelling of the knee appears. The affected limb is in the wrong position. The kneecap is displaced. Painful clicks accompany every step.
When the kneecap is displaced, there is a feeling of slipping of the joint, instability during movement. Each movement of the limb causes excruciating pain. Only a specialist is able to perform the reduction of dislocation.

Due to a sharp fall on the knee, the following often occur:

Deformation in the form of cracks in the patella, fractures. A cruciate ligament rupture is often caused by direct blows to the knee, thigh, and lower leg.
Rupture of menisci and ligaments. Occurs with internal damage to the joint. In children under 15, this type of injury practically does not occur due to their physiological characteristics. Physiotherapy will help the victim to fully restore health.
Intra-articular fracture of the knee bones. Open fractures are especially dangerous. A sharp contraction of the knee muscles leads to stretching of the tendons and ligaments.
Hemarthrosis is a serious tissue damage as a result of hemorrhage into the joint cavity. If a knee injury occurs, symptoms appear immediately. There is a violation of normal blood circulation, causing unbearable pain. This often happens when you hit or fall on your knee. There is a complete destruction of the joint if the treatment was carried out incorrectly. In the active phase of the disease, physiotherapy is effectively used.

Pre-hospital measures

Everyone should be able to competently provide assistance in case of a knee injury to the victim before the arrival of the ambulance team.

With the help of a piece of ice, you can effectively relieve pain and slight swelling in case of a knee injury. The victim will feel significant relief if a compress with ice is briefly applied to the broken knees several times a day.

Urgent Care

Injury to the knee joint is very dangerous. Loss of working capacity, very serious complications threaten the victim in case of delay. When should you visit a traumatologist?

If characteristic symptoms occur:

big swelling;
persistent pain that persists at the same level or intensifies;
pronounced local redness of the skin;
increase in tissue tension;
increase in general and local temperature in the area of injury;
after a blow to the knee, the joint does not bend.

Emergency medical care is necessary for the patient if:

fragmentation of the bone;
outflow of blood outside the vascular bed of the injured knee;
symptoms of traumatic shock;
limb deformity after a fracture;
displacement of the bones of the joint.

In these cases, treatment should be immediate.

Diagnosis of knee injuries. An x-ray is taken, but it does not show violations of fine structures: cartilage, ligaments, tendons. Such lesions can be diagnosed using MRI. If necessary, additional studies are scheduled.

Treatment for each injury is selected individually.

Depending on the features of functional damage, the doctor chooses the tactics of treatment. The traumatologist takes into account the nature of the injury to the knee joint, the degree of destruction of the structures of the knee.

The treatment complex may include conservative treatment:

Therapeutic measures that allow you to remove swelling, inflammation, improve the condition of the tissues of the joint, get rid of the uncomfortable restriction of knee mobility.
If necessary, a bandage should be applied to the damaged area. The bandage from the wound should not be removed without the permission of the traumatologist. In order not to increase traumatic edema, the bandage should not be applied excessively tight.
Wearing an orthosis. In each case, this fixing splint must be selected by an orthopedic surgeon. If you pick it up illiterately or wear it all the time, there is a risk of developing thrombophlebitis.
The patient is shown a sparing regimen. A sore knee needs rest. Crutches, a support cane are used to reduce the load on the affected knee joint.

Surgery

Arthroscopy is often performed. This is a type of surgery. Small incisions are made, with the help of optics, you can perform the necessary manipulations of the surgeon. Adequate anesthesia makes the operation painless. Within 1-2 weeks after the operation of the diseased limb, complete rest should be ensured.

Surgical treatment is indicated for some serious injuries:

Instability of the knee joint as a result of a sprain. When performing movements, the knee moves. It is necessary to stabilize the knee joint.
Damage or rupture of the meniscus with limited joint mobility. Deformation and avulsion of cartilage tissue. Rupture of ligaments, tendons, quadriceps. Instability of the patella or its dislocation.

Rehabilitation activities:

Physiotherapy. The doctor decides what kind of motor actions can be done to the patient, at what stage of treatment it is advisable to prescribe exercise therapy. Therapeutic exercises can not be done in the presence of sharp pain. Intensive physiotherapy exercises should be carried out only under the guidance of a specialist.
Performing special exercises helps to improve trophism and tissue regeneration. Individually for a particular patient, the physical therapy instructor recommends exercise therapy for a knee injury. This is a complex of flexion-extensor movements that strengthen the ligamentous apparatus and the muscular system of the knee joint.
Physiotherapy aimed at restoring the ligamentous apparatus, musculoskeletal structures. Therapeutic massage has a beneficial effect on the process of healing an injured knee. Recovery after an injury is faster, the functions of the injured limb are effectively restored. But if such a reflex and mechanical effect on the affected joint causes pain, medical massage cannot be performed.

Broken knees always require attention. Any type of knee injury should be treated. If the patient has been seriously injured, it is urgent to contact a traumatologist for medical help.

Rehabilitation must be carried out in full. A few years later, an ignored trauma may remind of itself. The quality of life will be constantly reduced by intense pain after physical exertion, when the weather changes. Physiotherapy, physiotherapy exercises will help maintain joint stability.

The knee joint is more likely than others to be injured, as it is the largest and takes on the entire weight of the body, as well as the load that is associated with walking, running and other movements.

Types of injury

Knee injuries are inevitable in our lives. They are often diagnosed not only in athletes, but also in people who are not related to professional sports.

In addition to the fact that the knee joint is very large, it also has a rather complex structure. For this reason, it is sometimes difficult to identify which of its components (tendons, menisci, cartilage, etc.) is damaged.

The following types of knee injuries are distinguished:

Injury. As a rule, the mildest injury to the knee joint. It occurs as a result of a direct blow to the front or side of the joint. Most often, a knee bruise is diagnosed after a person falls or when he hit something with his knee.
Ruptures and injuries of the inner and lateral menisci. Occur as a result of a sharp lateral movement of the knee with a fixed foot. Tears and injuries of the menisci are most commonly seen in athletes and in most cases require immediate surgical intervention.
Sprains (tears) and torn ligaments. Occur in the case of direct action on the knee joint of a large traumatic force. Ligaments can tear (or tear) when falling from a height, car accidents, playing sports (in particular, hockey, wrestling).
Dislocations of the knee joint and patella occur quite rarely, as well as torn ligaments occur due to serious injuries.
Intra-articular fractures of the patella, femur or tibia. A fracture of the patella occurs mostly in older people due to their fall.
Cartilage damage very often accompanies a knee bruise, joint dislocation, or intra-articular fracture.

Treatment

To alleviate your condition, relieve the pain that accompanies almost any knee injury, you should know the basic rules of first aid:

Try not to move the injured joint, keep it calm.
Apply something cold to the affected area, such as an ice pack, the cold will relieve pain and reduce swelling.
Put a bandage on your knee, just do not overdo it in the tension of the bandage, the bandage should be moderately tight.
Hold the affected limb in an elevated position, such as on a pillow.

If the pain does not subside, the knee is swollen, and there is joint deformity or signs of hemarthrosis (bleeding into the joint cavity), you should immediately consult a doctor.

In most cases, treatment should take place in a hospital, under medical supervision.

Since a symptom of any injury is severe pain, to eliminate it, you will need to take painkillers, anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs, including diclofenac, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, etc.

Treatment for bruises depends on the severity of the injury, but is usually treated at home. With a slight bruise, only immobilization (rest) of the damaged joint and an elastic bandage on it are required. With more serious bruises, it is possible to apply a plaster splint (tire) to the diseased limb.

Treatment of meniscus injury and ligament tear consists in immobilization of the joint by applying a plaster splint or a plaster splint (orthopedic fixator of the knee joint) along the entire length of the limb. But unlike bruises, when the splint is applied for 10-20 days, in case of damage to the menisci and ligaments, the splint (splint) is removed after 5-8 weeks.

If hemarthrosis or synovitis is observed with such injuries, then before applying the splint, actions are taken to extract blood (or synovial fluid) from the damaged area, as well as to introduce novocaine solution into it.

Ruptures of ligaments and menisci practically do not do without surgical intervention. And the sooner it is carried out, the more effective will be its results. The task of the surgeon is to remove torn menisci, restore torn ligaments, and carry out a general correction of the joint.

After the operation, the application of a plaster splint is indicated for at least 6 weeks.

Diagnostics

It is often difficult even for an experienced surgeon to make a correct diagnosis. So, for example, it is very difficult only after feeling (palpation) of the knee to say whether the ligament is torn or just torn. For this reason, an x-ray of the joint is taken to diagnose any knee injury.

During the treatment period (when the joint is in the splint), as well as during the rehabilitation period after an injury, in order to avoid the development of muscle atrophy, it is important to perform multiple raising and lowering of the diseased limb.

Arthroscopy has replaced traditional surgery. The advantage of arthroscopic treatment is its low trauma, high degree of diagnosis and early activation of the patient. The patient is allowed to walk with crutches immediately after the operation, and in most cases they do not even limit the motor activity of the joint with plaster splints.

Rehabilitation

Depending on the severity of the damage, rehabilitation after a knee injury can last from two weeks to a year. It includes:

therapeutic exercises, that is, the daily performance of special physical exercises to develop and strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the joint, as well as to eliminate joint contracture, which is often caused by its long immobility
physiotherapeutic procedures (paraffin applications, ozocerite, mud therapy and others)
massage is an excellent tool for improving intra-articular blood supply
water procedures have an excellent effect on the resumption of the previous motor activity of the joint.

After damage to the meniscus or cartilage, rehabilitation usually lasts 2-6 weeks, depending on the severity of the damage.