Knee Replacements
Knee Replacements
Knee Conditions
Dr. S. Arumugam and his team are sufficiently experienced and equipped to deal with knee injuries and conditions.
The most common knee conditions and their treatments.
- Osteoarthritis of the knee
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Meniscal Tear
- ACL Injuries
- PCL Injuries
- Chondral Injuries
- Collateral Ligaments Injuries
- Kneecap Disorders
- Knee Fractures
- Knee Muscle and Tendon Injuries
- Painful Knee Replacement
What is a painful knee replacement?
What are the causes of a painful knee replacement?
What are the symptoms of a painful knee replacement?
How is a painful knee replacement diagnosed?
What are the treatment options for a painful knee replacement?
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Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis (OA) or just arthritis is caused when the soft tissue called cartilage surrounding the bones is worn away. This wearing away causes immense pain because the bones start grinding each other.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body like the knee joint, hip joint, etc. Osteoarthritis of the knee is more common than other types of arthritis in India.
Osteoarthritis is more common in the populations above the age of 45. Men are prone to get arthritis below the age of 45 while women are more likely to arthritis above the age of 45.
In India alone, more than 180 million people battle arthritis every day. Some of the common risk factors for arthritis are:
- Old age
- Gender (Women are more likely to get arthritis than men)
- Obesity
- Injured joints
- Repeated stress on the joints.
- Bone deformity
- Genetics
Osteoarthritis progresses as time goes by. The most common symptoms of this disorder are:
- extreme joint pain
- swelling around the knee joint
- limited range of motion without experiencing any pain
- Cracking or popping noises in your knee whenever you try to move it.
There are many different ways to diagnose Osteoarthritis
- X-rays. An X-ray is the best indicator of arthritis because tissues don’t show up on it. An arthritic knee will have minimal or no gap between the bones, whereas a healthy knee will have plenty of gap between the two bones.
- MRI scans are used to get a better view of the organs and bones in our body. If your doctor suspects that you have arthritis, they will look for damage to the cartilage, tears in ligaments and any signs of inflammation.
- X-rays alone are enough to diagnose arthritis in most cases.
Who is affected by Hip Osteoarthritis?
Those who are at a risk for Hip Osteoarthritis include:
- The elderly population
- Those who have a family history of Osteoarthritis.
- People who suffer from obesity.
- Those who have undergone an injury.
Pain and stiffness in the hip joints are the most common symptoms of hip osteoarthritis. Since the joints wear away more with time because of friction, the pain from osteoarthritis worsens with time.
Some of the common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain that starts from the groin area and spreads up to the thigh or knees.
- Pain that increases with intense physical activity.
- Difficulty in walking and bending because of the stiffness in hip joints.
- The hip joint locks and you hear a grinding noise (crepitus) that’s caused due to loose pieces of cartilage and other tissues interfering with the smooth movement of the hip.
- Great reduction in the range of motion. People affected by hip osteoarthritis cannot walk even short distances because of the pain caused by their joints.
How is Hip Osteoarthritis diagnosed?
Your doctor will look for tenderness around the hips, check for a grinding noise, and apply pressure around the hip to localize your pain.
Imaging Tests:
X-ray is a straight-forward way of detecting hip osteoarthritis because it shows the damage caused due to the bones. Other imaging tests include MRIs and CT scans.
How is Hip Osteoarthritis treated?
The treatment your doctor prescribes may be surgical or non-surgical in nature depending on the stage your arthritis is in.
If you’re in an early stage of arthritis then you can cure arthritis with changes in your lifestyle and medication.
If your arthritis is at an advanced stage, then your doctor will prescribe an osteotomy, hip resurfacing or total hip replacement to help you get rid of the pain.
Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Osteoarthritis is more common in the populations above the age of 45. Men are prone to get arthritis below the age of 45 while women are more likely to arthritis above the age of 45.
In India alone, more than 180 million people battle arthritis every day. Some of the common risk factors for arthritis are:
- Old age
- Gender (Women are more likely to get arthritis than men)
- Obesity
- Injured joints
- Repeated stress on the joints.
- Bone deformity
- Genetics
Osteoarthritis progresses as time goes by. The most common symptoms of this disorder are:
- extreme joint pain
- swelling around the knee joint
- limited range of motion without experiencing any pain
- Cracking or popping noises in your knee whenever you try to move it.
There are many different ways to diagnose Osteoarthritis
- X-rays. An X-ray is the best indicator of arthritis because tissues don’t show up on it. An arthritic knee will have minimal or no gap between the bones, whereas a healthy knee will have plenty of gap between the two bones.
- MRI scans are used to get a better view of the organs and bones in our body. If your doctor suspects that you have arthritis, they will look for damage to the cartilage, tears in ligaments and any signs of inflammation.
- X-rays alone are enough to diagnose arthritis in most cases.
Firstly, surgery is not the only option to get rid of osteoarthritis. It’s the last resort and Dr. Arumugam will suggest a surgery only when alternate treatment methods like food habits, vitamin tablets and injections don’t lessen the pain.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a joint disease and a knee condition caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium and joint cartilage, along with other healthy tissues and joints, perceiving them as invaders. It’s an auto-immune disorder where, in severe cases, the organs can also be affected.
Unlike Osteoarthritis that affects a majority of the elderly population, Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any age group because it is an auto-immune disorder.
But it’s most common in people who’ve crossed 30 years of age. Women are more prone to getting Rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Although the real cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown, some of the factors that increase the risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Genetics
- Hormones
While conducting a physical examination, your doctor will ask you if you have a family history and question you about other medical conditions to determine if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis in your hips.
Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is also similar to other diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia, it’s hard to detect. You’ll be asked to take blood tests to determine if you have this condition.
The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Pain in your joints that prevents you from doing simple activities like climbing stairs, walking, jogging, etc.
- Pain in major and minor joints associated with morning stiffness.
- Severe inflammation in and near the joint area.
- Occasional fevers.
- Periods where symptoms subside and other times when symptoms and pain become much worse.
- Other symptoms also include loss of appetite and anaemia.
Your doctor will ask you to undergo hot and cold therapy to lessen the pain and inflammation. They might also put patients on anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-killers if the pain is unbearable.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a joint disease and a knee condition caused when the immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium and joint cartilage, along with other healthy tissues and joints, perceiving them as invaders. It’s an auto-immune disorder where, in severe cases, the organs can also be affected.
Unlike Osteoarthritis that affects a majority of the elderly population, Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any age group because it is an auto-immune disorder.
But it’s most common in people who’ve crossed 30 years of age. Women are more prone to getting Rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Although the real cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown, some of the factors that increase the risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Genetics
- Hormones
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?
While conducting a physical examination, your doctor will ask you if you have a family history and question you about other medical conditions to determine if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis in your hips.
Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is also similar to other diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia, it’s hard to detect. You’ll be asked to take blood tests to determine if you have this condition.
The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Pain in your joints that prevents you from doing simple activities like climbing stairs, walking, jogging, etc.
- Pain in major and minor joints associated with morning stiffness.
- Severe inflammation in and near the joint area.
- Occasional fevers.
- Periods where symptoms subside and other times when symptoms and pain become much worse.
- Other symptoms also include loss of appetite and anaemia.
Your doctor will ask you to undergo hot and cold therapy to lessen the pain and inflammation. They might also put patients on anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-killers if the pain is unbearable.
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ACL Injury
Like Meniscal tears, ACL tears are most likely to affect sportspeople. But anyone who stops suddenly or puts all their body weight on the knees may undergo an ACL tear.
This injury is most common in basketball, soccer, and football players. Skiing can also cause this injury Two wheeler accidents.
Women who play sports are seven times more likely to tear their meniscus than men. So far, sports medicine experts haven’t been able to decode the reason behind this.
If you’ve torn your ACL, you’ll:
- Hear a “pop” sound in your knee.
- Feel that your knees are suddenly giving away. The knees will start buckling and won’t be able to support your weight.
- Have a swollen knee.
Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and compare your injured knee to the non-injured one. They’ll check your knee and ask you to bend it in order to see how far it can be bent.
If nothing is clear from performing a physical examination, your doctor will ask you to get an MRI or perform an arthroscopy to see if your ligament is torn.
Normally, the ACL tear is treated by the RICE method. You’ll have to Rest, Ice the joint, apply Compression, and Elevate the injured knee.
Your doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and ask you to wear knee braces to help you walk around.
Once the pain in your knee subsides, your doctor will ask you to undergo physiotherapy to stabilise and strengthen your knee joints. You’ll be able to walk without feeling as though your knee might give away any moment.
If your ACL tear is severe, you might have to get a surgery. The RICE method is followed even before surgery to reduce some of the swelling.
Once the inflammation and pain have lessened, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is reconstructed using tissues or tendons from you or from another suitable donor.
ACL Injury
Like Meniscal tears, ACL tears are most likely to affect sportspeople. But anyone who stops suddenly or puts all their body weight on the knees may undergo an ACL tear.
This injury is most common in basketball, soccer, and football players. Skiing can also cause this injury Two wheeler accidents.
Women who play sports are seven times more likely to tear their meniscus than men. So far, sports medicine experts haven’t been able to decode the reason behind this.
If you’ve torn your ACL, you’ll:
- Hear a “pop” sound in your knee.
- Feel that your knees are suddenly giving away. The knees will start buckling and won’t be able to support your weight.
- Have a swollen knee.
Your doctor will conduct a physical examination and compare your injured knee to the non-injured one. They’ll check your knee and ask you to bend it in order to see how far it can be bent.
If nothing is clear from performing a physical examination, your doctor will ask you to get an MRI or perform an arthroscopy to see if your ligament is torn.
Normally, the ACL tear is treated by the RICE method. You’ll have to Rest, Ice the joint, apply Compression, and Elevate the injured knee.
Your doctor will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and ask you to wear knee braces to help you walk around.
Once the pain in your knee subsides, your doctor will ask you to undergo physiotherapy to stabilise and strengthen your knee joints. You’ll be able to walk without feeling as though your knee might give away any moment.
If your ACL tear is severe, you might have to get a surgery. The RICE method is followed even before surgery to reduce some of the swelling.
Once the inflammation and pain have lessened, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is reconstructed using tissues or tendons from you or from another suitable donor.
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PCL Injury
Posterior Cruciate Ligament is also a connective tissue that connects the bones in the knee. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) form an X-shaped band in the knee to support it.
The PCL prevents the knee from bending backward too much. When the PCL is torn, the front of the knee hurts, and the knee feels “different.”
A Posterior Cruciate Ligament tear takes place during accidents when the knee smashes against the dashboard of the vehicle with force.
It can also take place when a player falls forward on a bent knee with a considerable amount of force. This is common in football , basketball and Two wheeler accidents
Again, these injuries can be had by anyone but are more common in athletes and other sports people.
Some of the first symptoms that you see when you have a Post Cruciate Ligament tear are:
- Mild swelling in the knee joint without a feeling that the knee is about to buckle.
- Moderate pain in the back of the knee that worsens when you bend it.
- Some pain in the front of the knee that worsens when you run or slow down.
When you show up for a visit to the doctor, they’ll ask you to describe the fall to get an idea of what your injury might be.
Then the doctor will conduct a physical examination on your injured knee and compare it to the uninjured knee to see how much the knee has deformed or swollen. MRI is very useful in confirming the diagnosis of PCL tear.
No matter how severe your tear is, your first priority must be to reduce the swelling and pain in the joint.
To do this, you’ll have to follow the RICE method. Get plenty of rest, Ice the swollen area, apply Compression, and Elevate the joint.
Once the swelling has reduced, you’ll be asked to undergo therapy or surgery depending on the severity of the tear.
PCL Injury
Posterior Cruciate Ligament is also a connective tissue that connects the bones in the knee. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) form an X-shaped band in the knee to support it.
The PCL prevents the knee from bending backward too much. When the PCL is torn, the front of the knee hurts, and the knee feels “different.”
A Posterior Cruciate Ligament tear takes place during accidents when the knee smashes against the dashboard of the vehicle with force.
It can also take place when a player falls forward on a bent knee with a considerable amount of force. This is common in football ,Two wheeler accidents and basketball.
Again, these injuries can be had by anyone but are more common in athletes and other sports people.
Some of the first symptoms that you see when you have a Post Cruciate Ligament tear are:
- Mild swelling in the knee joint without a feeling that the knee is about to buckle.
- Moderate pain in the back of the knee that worsens when you bend it.
- Some pain in the front of the knee that worsens when you run or slow down.
When you show up for a visit to the doctor, they’ll ask you to describe the fall to get an idea of what your injury might be.
Then the doctor will conduct a physical examination on your injured knee and compare it to the uninjured knee to see how much the knee has deformed or swollen. MRI is very useful in confirming the diagnosis of PCL tear.
No matter how severe your tear is, your first priority must be to reduce the swelling and pain in the joint.
To do this, you’ll have to follow the RICE method. Get plenty of rest, Ice the swollen area, apply Compression, and Elevate the joint.
Once the swelling has reduced, you’ll be asked to undergo therapy or surgery depending on the severity of the tear.
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Chondral Injuries
The elderly population are more prone to getting chondral injuries as a result of falls. Condral injuries occurs in youngsters as well. It is a common sports injury in contact sports.
Chondral injuries are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may not be apparent.
A regular physical exam may show swelling but it may not be enough to rule it as a chondral injury. X-rays are not that effective in diagnosing chondral injuries. Only MRI with chondral study will help in the non invasive diagnosis of Chondral damage.
The most accurate way to diagnose a chondral injury is by using an arthroscope. The doctor will insert an arthroscope inside the joint and visually assess the damage caused to the joints.
The symptoms of a chondral injury may not be apparent because they may take years to develop.
But the most common symptoms of a chondral injury include:
Swelling: When broken fragments of cartilage float around in the knee, it causes pain and swelling.
Giving way:
Your legs might feel as though they’re about to buckle.
Locking:
The broken pieces of cartilage can cause your joints to lock, and you won’t be able to move your knees fully. You’ll also hear a clicking noise in your knees.
How are chondral Injuries treated?
Chondral injuries can be treated by surgical and non-surgical means. Non-surgical methods include exercise, changes to diet, injections, supplements, and weight management.
Surgical methods include shaving, microfracture abrasion, etc. Choosing a surgical method depends on many factors like:
- Age of the patient.
- Weight of the patient.
- Where the tear is located.
- The size of the tear.
- The patient’s future goals
- How active the patient is and how much they’ll be able to engage in therapy after the operation.
Chondral Injuries
Chondral injuries can also be caused when bits and pieces of cartilage break and float around the knee and cause the joints to lock.
The elderly population are more prone to getting chondral injuries as a result of falls. Condral injuries occurs in youngsters as well. It is a common sports injury in contact sports.
Chondral injuries are difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may not be apparent.
A regular physical exam may show swelling but it may not be enough to rule it as a chondral injury. X-rays are not that effective in diagnosing chondral injuries.Only MRI with condral study will help in the non invasive diagnosis of Condral damage.
The most accurate way to diagnose a chondral injury is by using an arthroscope. The doctor will insert an arthroscope inside the joint and visually assess the damage caused to the joints.
The symptoms of a chondral injury may not be apparent because they may take years to develop.
But the most common symptoms of a chondral injury include:
Swelling: When broken fragments of cartilage float around in the knee, it causes pain and swelling.
Giving way:
Your legs might feel as though they’re about to buckle.
Locking:
The broken pieces of cartilage can cause your joints to lock, and you won’t be able to move your knees fully. You’ll also hear a clicking noise in your knees.
Chondral injuries can be treated by surgical and non-surgical means. Non-surgical methods include exercise, changes to diet, injections, supplements, and weight management.
Surgical methods include shaving, microfracture abrasion, etc. Choosing a surgical method depends on many factors like:
- Age of the patient.
- Weight of the patient.
- Where the tear is located.
- The size of the tear.
- The patient’s future goals
- How active the patient is and how much they’ll be able to engage in therapy after the operation.
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Collateral Ligament Injuries
Collateral ligament are present on either side of the knee, and their function is to prevent your knee from moving sideways.
They extend when you extend your knee and relax when your knees are flexed.
Think of them as a patch on either side of your knee that prevents it from moving too much to the left and right.
The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) runs on the outer side of the knee while the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) runs on the inner side of the knee.
Collateral Ligament Injuries take place when your knee twists too much towards the side or when you’re hit by a direct blow to the sides of your knee.
Collateral ligament injuries can affect anyone, from athletes and active individuals to those involved in accidents or traumatic incidents. People who participate in sports or activities that involve quick changes in direction, pivoting, or contact are more prone to these injuries.
Diagnosing a collateral ligament injury typically involves a thorough physical examination by an orthopedic specialist. The doctor will assess your symptoms, check for signs of swelling or instability, and perform specific tests to evaluate the integrity of the ligaments. In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans may be ordered to get a clearer picture of the injury.
Treatment for collateral ligament injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Mild to moderate sprains can often be managed conservatively with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE therapy), along with physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve stability. In more severe cases, where the ligament is completely torn or the knee is highly unstable, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or reconstruct the ligament.
Collateral Ligament Injuries
Collateral ligament are present on either side of the knee, and their function is to prevent your knee from moving sideways.
They extend when you extend your knee and relax when your knees are flexed.
Think of them as a patch on either side of your knee that prevents it from moving too much to the left and right.
The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) runs on the outer side of the knee while the Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) runs on the inner side of the knee.
Collateral Ligament Injuries take place when your knee twists too much towards the side or when you’re hit by a direct blow to the sides of your knee.
Diagnosing a collateral ligament injury typically involves a thorough physical examination by an orthopedic specialist. The doctor will assess your symptoms, check for signs of swelling or instability, and perform specific tests to evaluate the integrity of the ligaments. In some cases, imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans may be ordered to get a clearer picture of the injury.
Treatment for collateral ligament injuries depends on the severity of the injury. Mild to moderate sprains can often be managed conservatively with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE therapy), along with physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and improve stability. In more severe cases, where the ligament is completely torn or the knee is highly unstable, surgical intervention may be necessary to repair or reconstruct the ligament.
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Kneecap Disorder
The Kneecap or Patella is a bone connecting the thigh bone and the shin bone in the knee joint. It protects the knee joint and connects the thigh bone and shin bone through muscles and ligaments.
When the Kneecap is broken, it shifts outwards or inwards when the knee is bent or straightened.
A Kneecap/Patellar injury can be caused due to:
- Weakening of muscles in the thigh.
- Tightening or loosening of muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Strenuous physical activity that involves twisting of the knee.
- Knee injury that dislocates the Kneecap towards the outer side of the leg.
- Improper alignment of knee bones.
Patellar Disorder is more likely to affect sports people who tend to jump on hard surfaces. For example, basketball and volleyball players.
It’s also common in sports where players tend to rotate their torso a lot. For example, baseball.
A patellar injury can also be caused due to an injury or accident as mentioned above.
Your doctor will ask you questions and conduct a physical examination to determine if you’ve a knee injury.
X-rays only detect broken bones. So, this might not be sufficient for your doctor to make a diagnosis.
He’ll also ask you to get an MRI to better diagnose your injury.
- Severe pain in the knee joint while squatting or running.
- A feeling of the knee giving away while you’re walking.
- Popping or grinding in the knee cap whenever you bend or straighten your leg.
You’ll also have severe inflammation if your kneecap disorder is severe. If this happens, consult your doctor.
To treat a patellar disorder, you must:
- Apply ice to the knee regularly.
- Take a break from physical activity like running and squatting.
- Stretch regularly and focus on doing exercises that improve strength. Speak to a physical therapist to help you choose exercises according to your condition.
- Use the knee brace for extra support
- Put on the right shoes or use shoe inserts (orthotics) to improve the position of your feet.
Kneecap Disorder
The Kneecap or Patella is a bone connecting the thigh bone and the shin bone in the knee joint. It protects the knee joint and connects the thigh bone and shin bone through muscles and ligaments.
When the Kneecap is broken, it shifts outwards or inwards when the knee is bent or straightened.
A Kneecap/Patellar injury can be caused due to:
- Weakening of muscles in the thigh.
- Tightening or loosening of muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
- Strenuous physical activity that involves twisting of the knee.
- Knee injury that dislocates the Kneecap towards the outer side of the leg.
- Improper alignment of knee bones.
Your doctor will ask you questions and conduct a physical examination to determine if you’ve a knee injury.
X-rays only detect broken bones. So, this might not be sufficient for your doctor to make a diagnosis.
He’ll also ask you to get an MRI to better diagnose your injury.
You’ll also have severe inflammation if your kneecap disorder is severe. If this happens, consult your doctor.
To treat a patellar disorder, you must:
- Apply ice to the knee regularly.
- Take a break from physical activity like running and squatting.
- Stretch regularly and focus on doing exercises that improve strength. Speak to a physical therapist to help you choose exercises according to your condition.
- Use the knee brace for extra support
- Put on the right shoes or use shoe inserts (orthotics) to improve the position of your feet.
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KneeCap Fractures
The patella is a bone present in the knee that connects thigh bones and shin bones with the help of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
A Kneecap Fracture is caused when there are cracks in the patella. The cracks in the patella can be mild or even result in a complete breakage of the knee bone.
A Kneecap Fracture occurs when the patella is broken due to falls, sports activities, and direct blows to the knee.
In cases of accidents, there is also a risk of infection if the wound starts bleeding.
Your doctor will ask you questions and conduct a physical examination to determine if you’ve a knee injury.
X-rays only detect broken bones. So, this might not be sufficient for your doctor to make a diagnosis.
He’ll also ask you to get an MRI to better diagnose your injury.
The symptoms of a kneecap fracture include:
- Immediate inflammation, bruising, pain, and tenderness after the injury.
- You can’t touch your knee without extreme pain.
- It’s impossible to bend the knee
- The pain gets worse every time you try to move.
- Bones start grating against each other whenever you try to move your leg.
- Your leg changes shape.
- If the knee has an open wound, you might need surgery to treat the fracture. The doctors will also provide treatment to reduce/prevent the infection and control the bleeding.
- The doctor will proceed to move the bones to the right position. You’ll be given the right medication so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- If the fracture is complicated, your surgeon will also use pins, wires, screws and plates to hold the bones in place.
- Your doctor will put your leg in braces, knee immobilizers, or casts to support it and keep it from moving while it heals.
- If you have your leg in a cast, make sure to keep it dry and cover it with plastic. You mustn’t insert anything into it, as it might lead to further infection and injury.
- In case of a mild fracture, apply ice packs to the affected area, and keep your knee as straight as possible.
KneeCap Fractures
The patella is a bone present in the knee that connects thigh bones and shin bones with the help of muscles, ligaments and tendons.
A Kneecap Fracture is caused when there are cracks in the patella. The cracks in the patella can be mild or even result in a complete breakage of the knee bone.
A Kneecap Fracture occurs when the patella is broken due to falls, sports activities, and direct blows to the knee.
In cases of accidents, there is also a risk of infection if the wound starts bleeding.
Your doctor will ask you questions and conduct a physical examination to determine if you’ve a knee injury.
X-rays only detect broken bones. So, this might not be sufficient for your doctor to make a diagnosis.
He’ll also ask you to get an MRI to better diagnose your injury.
The symptoms of a kneecap fracture include:
- Immediate inflammation, bruising, pain, and tenderness after the injury.
- You can’t touch your knee without extreme pain.
- It’s impossible to bend the knee
- The pain gets worse every time you try to move.
- Bones start grating against each other whenever you try to move your leg.
- Your leg changes shape.
- If the knee has an open wound, you might need surgery to treat the fracture. The doctors will also provide treatment to reduce/prevent the infection and control the bleeding.
- The doctor will proceed to move the bones to the right position. You’ll be given the right medication so that you don’t feel any pain during the procedure.
- If the fracture is complicated, your surgeon will also use pins, wires, screws and plates to hold the bones in place.
- Your doctor will put your leg in braces, knee immobilizers, or casts to support it and keep it from moving while it heals.
- If you have your leg in a cast, make sure to keep it dry and cover it with plastic. You mustn’t insert anything into it, as it might lead to further infection and injury.
- In case of a mild fracture, apply ice packs to the affected area, and keep your knee as straight as possible.
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Knee Muscle and Tendon Injuries
Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles and the bones together. The Patellar Tendon goes over the patella (kneecap) and works in conjunction with the quadriceps (thigh muscles) to help straighten your leg.
When this tendon becomes swollen, it’s called Tendonitis or Jumper’s Knee because it’s more common among sportspeople who jump often.
The swelling may give way to a Patellar Tendon Tear which is characterised by pain in front of the leg. The tendon in the knee can also get torn because of an accident or injury.
A Patellar Tendon Tear can be diagnosed in different ways:
- Your doctor might conduct a physical knee examination to determine if you have a patellar tendon tear. They’ll ask you about the activities you’re involved in or if you’ve recently had a blow to your knee.
Patellar Tendon Tear cannot simply be detected using physical examination. So, your doctor might ask you to get an MRI to get a better idea of the injury and the damage caused because of it.
There are different ways to treat a Patellar Tendon Tear:
- Physiotherapy – Your doctor will prescribe plenty of rest and ask you to work with a physiotherapist to get back on your feet.
- Plasma Injections – These injections will repair the tissue damage and cause your tendons to heal.
- Shockwave Therapy – is a safe and effective process to revive the body’s natural healing process.
Knee Muscle and Tendon Injuries
Tendons are bands of tissue that connect muscles and the bones together. The Patellar Tendon goes over the patella (kneecap) and works in conjunction with the quadriceps (thigh muscles) to help straighten your leg.
When this tendon becomes swollen, it’s called Tendonitis or Jumper’s Knee because it’s more common among sportspeople who jump often.
The swelling may give way to a Patellar Tendon Tear which is characterised by pain in front of the leg. The tendon in the knee can also get torn because of an accident or injury.
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Rheumatoid Arthritis
What is Rheumatoid Arthritis ?
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a joint disease, and a knee condition caused when the immune system mistakes healthy tissues and joints for invaders and attacks them. It’s an auto-immune disorder, and in severe cases,the organs will also be affected.
Who gets affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Although Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect people of any age, it is most common among 30-50-year-olds. Again, this doesn’t mean that it cannot affect children and elderly patients.
Women are more likely to be affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis than men. Risk factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Obesity. Several studies have shown that the risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis increases with the increase in weight.
- Smoking. According to a study, children of parents who smoke are more likely to be affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis.
- Family history. If anyone in your family has Rheumatoid Arthritis, you’re also more likely to be affected by it.
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?
Unlike Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms start escalating within a short span of time. You’ll start feeling fatigued, be plagued by mild fevers, have morning stiffness along with pain, inflammation, and redness.
Moreover, there are periods in which these symptoms worsen and subside. The former is called having a “flare”.
Rheumatoid Arthritis is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. And if the symptoms mentioned above persist for more than 6 weeks, your doctor might consider these to be symptoms of RA.
You’ll also be asked to take blood tests to confirm if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis.
What treatment will I be given for Rheumatoid Arthritis?
There is no cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis because it’s an auto-immune disorder. But medications and physiotherapy can make your life easier.
You’ll be prescribed certain anti-inflammatory drugs and immuno-suppressants to keep your symptoms from worsening.
Regular exercise and physiotherapy will also help you deal with the inflammation and pain. When everything fails and your pain worsens, surgery is an option.
Who is affected by Rheumatoid Arthritis in the hips?
Unlike Osteoarthritis of the hips that affects a majority of the elderly population, Rheumatoid Arthritis can affect any age group because it is an auto-immune disorder.
But it’s most common in people who’ve crossed 30 years of age. Women are more prone to getting Rheumatoid arthritis than men.
Although the real cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis is unknown, some of the factors that increase the risk for Rheumatoid Arthritis include:
- Environment
- Genetics
- Harmons
What are the symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the hips?
The symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis in the hips include:
- Pain in your hips that prevents you from doing simple activities like climbing stairs, walking, jogging, etc.
- Pain near the thigh and groin area apart from pain in the hips.
- Severe inflammation in and near the joint area.
- Occasional fevers.
- Periods where symptoms subside and other times when symptoms and pain become much worse.
- Other symptoms also include loss of appetite and anaemia.
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosed?
While conducting a physical examination, your doctor will ask you if you have a family history and question you about other medical conditions to determine if you have Rheumatoid Arthritis in your hips.
Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is also similar to other diseases like lupus and fibromyalgia, it’s hard to detect. You’ll be asked to take blood tests to determine if you have this condition.
How is Rheumatoid Arthritis treated?
Your doctor will ask you to undergo hot and cold therapy to lessen the pain and inflammation. They might also put patients on anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-killers if the pain is unbearable.
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