Knee injuries what. Contusion of the knee joint due to a fall - treatment, symptoms, full description of the injury. The causes of injury are banal

The knee joint is the largest in humans. It is formed by the femur, tibia, fibula and patella. The cartilage-covered bones are strengthened by the quadriceps tendon, lateral and intra-articular cruciate ligaments. The mobility of the knee is provided by the joint fluid, the joint capsule, and the menisci (intra-articular lamellar cartilage).

All components of the knee are subject to various types of injuries of varying severity throughout a person’s life - bruises, fractures, ruptures and sprains.

Knee contusion

The most common injury to the lower extremities is, of course, a bruise, which can be suffered by a person of any age. Although seemingly harmless, it can be very dangerous, especially if accompanied by complications.

Symptoms

The main sign of a bruise is sharp pain, sometimes unbearable. Symptoms of a bruise include an immediate change in color of the damaged area, swelling of the knee joint resulting from hemorrhage in it.

The joint becomes limited in movement due to acute pain in it.

Causes

Knee joints can be injured by a fall or a direct blow to them. Who didn’t run around with us in childhood with broken knees? The increased activity of children leaves no chance of avoiding such bruises.

But the most injured knees are still among professional athletes, especially runners, football players, and those involved in martial arts.

The cause of such an injury is often a fall, in which the knees are the most difficult to protect. A bruise is also possible when hitting an object.

Diagnostics

A traumatologist determines a bruise during an external examination by comparison with a healthy leg. Attention is paid to the shape of the knee joint, smoothed with hemarthrosis.

Then, with the patient lying down, movements in the joint are examined. The presence of blood in the joint is also determined by the patient’s limited movements. The ability to keep the leg in a straight position is also checked. This is problematic for some types of knee injuries.

Treatment

After a bruise, treatment begins with anesthetizing the patient using non-steroidal drugs.

Cold

Then the classic method of pain relief is applied by cooling the bruise site. Ice constricts small blood vessels, which reduces swelling and relieves pain.

Applying a bandage

A pressure bandage is an indispensable manipulation for a bruise, allowing to reduce hemorrhage and swelling. After this, the patient should be laid down and the leg raised to an elevation.

Puncture

Puncture of the joint cavity and soft tissues to suck out accumulated blood helps relieve pain and swelling. A puncture is prescribed for significant hemarthrosis and is performed by a surgeon, after which a fixing bandage is applied to the site of the bruise.

Ointments with analgesics and anti-inflammatory gel components that strengthen the walls of blood vessels and destroy microthrombi;
Chondroprotective ointments and gels, for example, Collagen Ultra, restore connections through collagen, helping to quickly restore knee mobility.

Physiotherapy

It is prescribed a week after the injury. It includes:

UHF therapy;
Treatment with dynamic currents.

ethnoscience

For bruises, treatment with traditional methods is also possible. For example, ointments based on pork fat or cinquefoil have proven themselves to be effective.

A mixture of pork fat with ground plantain leaves, which has the consistency of sour cream, significantly alleviates the patient’s condition. And an ointment made from semolina porridge with steamed cinquefoil stems promotes rapid recovery after a knee injury.

Ligament damage

A common injury to the knee joint is damage to the ligaments, which is observed mainly in active young people, most often when playing sports.

Such an injury means that the fibers are partially or completely torn, with the possibility of tearing off at the point of attachment.

The general group of ligaments of the knee joint includes the collateral ligaments (external and internal) and the cruciate ligaments (anterior and posterior). Rupture of each group of ligaments has its own specifics.

Causes

Different types of ligaments are injured in different ways; their damage is caused by excessively strong hyperextension and twisting of the limbs. But there are common reasons - these are sports that involve stress on the joints and direct impact on the ligaments.

The direction and force of the blow determines which ligament is injured:

The cruciate ligaments can be torn by forceful impact on the back of a flexed shin;
The cruciate ligament is injured from behind if there is a blow to the shin when the leg is bent or when the joint is extended;
Both types of collateral ligaments can be torn if you twist your ankle or trip while walking in high heels.

Symptoms

Common signs of injury include:

Painful sensations;
Cracking when injured;
Hematoma (bleeding) of soft tissues;
Swelling of the knee joint;
Limited joint movement;
Inability to lean on the affected leg;
Excessive mobility of the patella.

Symptoms are externally expressed depending on the degree of damage to the articular ligaments. With a complete rupture, the joint becomes loose and excessively mobile.

Other specific injuries manifest themselves as follows:

A symptom of an injury to the lateral collateral ligament is pain that intensifies when the tibia deviates inward. In this case, there is swelling of the joint, hemarthrosis. The gap is often complete.
When the internal collateral ligaments rupture, they cause swelling of the joint, pain in it, and the lower leg is tilted outward.
The cruciate ligaments will be torn if the lower leg is overly mobile (drawer sign).

Diagnostics

Using knee arthroscopy, the cause of the injury is determined and a diagnosis is made for subsequent treatment. The following points serve as indications for its implementation:

Large accumulation of blood as a result of injury;
Joint effusion (fluid accumulation);
Pain of an unknown nature;
Suspicion of damage to the internal elements of the knee joint.

Arthroscopy is performed under anesthesia, and the arthroscope is inserted into the joint along with a mini video camera. The doctor makes a diagnosis based on examination of the meniscus, cartilage of the femur and tibia, patella and other parts of the knee.

Treatment

A correct diagnosis allows for effective treatment, which involves the following measures:

Ensuring immobility and rest for the injured leg;
Fixation of the affected knee joint using splints, bandages, elastic bandages;
Exposure to cold to relieve pain and swelling in the first 2 hours after injury;
Ensuring an elevated position of the limb to reduce soft tissue swelling;

Pain relief using anti-inflammatory and painkillers;

Use of warming compresses and warming ointments in the days following the injury;
Physiotherapy;
Exercise, massage.

All of the above treatment methods sometimes turn out to be ineffective. If the ligaments are completely torn, treatment is only possible with surgery, which involves two small incisions. It is also possible to replace injured ligaments with transplanted tendons. The operation is performed using endoscopic equipment.

Meniscal injuries

The menisci are 2 crescent-shaped cartilaginous formations in the articular cavity that protect the articular cartilage and act as shock absorbers when the load is placed on the knees. One of them is internal and the other is external.

Menisci are very traumatic elements, occupying 1st place in the number of injuries among the structures of the knee joint. Often such injuries happen to athletes - football players, figure skaters, skiers and ballet dancers.

Meniscus injury is often accompanied by ligament rupture and displaced fractures, which requires immediate contact with a surgeon or traumatologist.

Symptoms

The main symptoms indicating meniscal damage are:

Sharp pain localized on the inside or outside of the knee, especially during physical activity;
Difficulty going up or down stairs;
The appearance of a characteristic sound when the joint is flexed (the “click” symptom);
Slight atrophy (decrease in muscle tissue);
The presence of excess fluid in the joint;
Increased temperature in the area of the knee joint;
Increase in joint volume. The presence of this symptom requires immediate medical attention.

Causes

Most meniscus damage occurs due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances in a person of any age - when a leg twists, or when the knee hits something. Most often, such injuries occur among athletes and fans of extreme sports, as well as among those who like to squat and squat for long periods of time.

People with weak or too mobile (loose) ligaments from birth, as well as those suffering from gout and arthritis, are also prone to such injuries.

There is a high chance of getting a meniscus injury in a person who has spasm of the muscles of the front of the thigh, with overstrained rectus and iliopsoas muscles.

Diagnostics

An experienced surgeon or traumatologist can make a diagnosis of meniscal injury based on a visual examination of the patient and his or her history of injury. To clarify the degree of damage, the patient is examined using hardware diagnostic methods:

MRI (magnetic resonance therapy). A reliable method that allows you to clearly determine the type of injury - tear, tear or pinched meniscus;
Arthroscopy (Examination that allows you to obtain maximum information about the condition of the structures of the knee joint).

If the diagnosis of meniscal tissue rupture is not made in a timely manner, dangerous degeneration into a cyst is possible.

Treatment

There are three types of meniscus damage: pinching, tear and complete tear.

Most often, pinched and torn meniscus occurs (up to 90% of cases), which can be cured without resorting to surgery. If the meniscus is torn, the only option is surgical removal.

The choice of meniscus treatment method is determined by the severity of the injury. For minor injuries, conservative treatment methods are used, while more serious injuries require surgical intervention. In any case, the decision on the treatment method is made by the doctor based on a diagnostic study.

Step-by-step treatment of meniscal damage occurs as follows:

Physiotherapy.

After the joint has been realigned, it is restored using laser, magnetic therapy and ultrasound with hydrocartisone.

Reconstructive surgery.

In the absence of serious ruptures, non-surgical treatment is possible, which consists of:

relieving pain and swelling in the joint;
fixation of the knee joint;
applying cooling bandages;
therapeutic exercises;
the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and painkillers, taking chondroprotectors to restore cartilage tissue.

Meniscatomy.

This treatment method involves removing the meniscus using arthroscopy, which involves minor surgery using an endoscopic device.

Advantages of this method:

no large incisions;
quick recovery after surgery;
no special plaster cast is required;
shortened length of hospital stay.

Arthrotomy, that is, open surgery, is somewhat less commonly used. Surgical treatment consists of suturing, resection, or removal of the meniscus in whole or in part.

Suturing is prescribed taking into account the patient’s age, the condition of the damaged area, and the stability of the knee joint.

Rehabilitation.

A necessary step in completing treatment is rehabilitation, which involves eliminating pain, swelling, restoring meniscus mobility, strengthening ligaments and muscles. Physiotherapeutic procedures and massage help improve motor function in the knee. Full restoration of meniscus function can take anywhere from weeks to 3 months.

Fractures in the knee joint

The complexity of knee joint fractures is that it consists of 4 bones; when each of them is injured, a complete or partial fracture of the entire joint occurs.

The knee joint is formed by the femur, tibia, fibula and patella. Fractures of the first two bones occur due to sudden muscle contractions that cause the bony projections (condyles) that support the muscles to break. A patellar injury results in a fracture of the cup.

Fractures are classified as extra-articular (only the bones are damaged) and intra-articular (the synovial bursa covering the outside of the joint is injured).

Symptoms

Common to all 4 types of such fractures are:

Acute painful manifestations during palpation of the joint or during any movements in its area;
The gradual appearance of swelling in the area of the knee joint;
Bruising appearing at the site of injury;
Limitation of flexion and extension functions at the knee.

Causes

The main causes of knee fractures are exposure to direct force or injury, which most often occurs when falling on a bent knee.

The patella does not break so often; even a direct blow does not always result in a fracture. True, there is a danger of getting injured without using force; it occurs due to strong tension of the tendon, which can lead to a rupture of the bones of the patella, most often completely.

Diagnostics

The clinical picture and additional research methods allow us to make an objective diagnosis.

A good effect is achieved by the X-ray examination method, which allows you to obtain a clear line of fracture or bone displacement.

Diagnosis using the arthroscopy method, which involves examining the site of bone damage using an endoscopic unit, which allows you to examine possible cracks in the cartilage tissue up close and determine the nuances of the fracture.

A cartilage fracture is more difficult to determine; x-rays cannot show it; arthroscopy is used.

Treatment

After clarifying the diagnosis, immediate treatment should begin, which is carried out in a specialized institution and consists of a step-by-step organization of medical care.

It begins with urgently immobilizing the knee joint using available means to protect it from further injury. At this stage, to overcome pain shock, the victim is anesthetized with analgesics.

Then the patient is provided with specialized care by a traumatologist.

It consists in the exact comparison of bone fragments with their further fixation in the required position, which will create good conditions for healing.

People who lead an active lifestyle very often receive various injuries to the knee joint. The same is observed in elderly people: any careless or sudden movements can lead to damage to this joint.

The knee joint is one of the largest in the human body; many other mechanisms take part in its work: tendons, meniscus, patella, ligaments. Damage to any of these chain links requires immediate medical attention. You should not postpone this visit, as all sorts of complications and limitations in motor function are often recorded.

What types of knee injuries are there?

There are several types of knee injuries:

Injury. The cause is a sudden fall on the knee or impact on it with a hard object.

Patients who have received such an injury, when visiting a doctor, complain of severe pain in the joint and limitation of motor activity when walking. A bruise can also be recognized visually. The knee will be enlarged, have smoothed contours, and a bruise may form under the skin. Movement of the knee joint is limited.
When visiting a doctor, an x-ray examination is required; the joint will be visible in the image. After this, treatment can be recommended.
Treatment of bruises of the knee joint can occur at home, but if hemarthrosis is diagnosed, it is necessary to be treated in a hospital. If, after an injury, a large amount of blood does not collect in the knee joint, the doctor fixes the joint with a tight bandage. If a large amount of fluid accumulates a few days after the injury, the joint must be fixed with a plaster cast from the ankle to the middle of the thigh. This bandage is worn until the fluid in the popliteal cap completely disappears.

Ligament damage.

This type of injury is more common than others. It mainly occurs in people who play professional sports. The reasons may be different: improper execution of the exercise, sudden stops or jerks, sudden turns of the legs while running or jumping.
During such an injury, the cruciate ligament is damaged and the leg ceases to perform its function. The person himself can determine that he has had a ligament rupture.
Symptoms such as:

sudden click or ;
strong pain;
the joint suddenly begins to swell;
there may be a displacement of the lower leg, which is clearly visible to the person;
restriction of joint movements;
in very rare cases, bleeding may occur.

Such knee joint injuries can be diagnosed by examining the lower leg while the person is lying on his back. An experienced doctor will immediately tell whether a knee injury is related to ligament damage or something more serious.
Treatment can also take place at home. A course of medication, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The damaged knee is fixed with a special bandage. The doctor definitely recommends complete rest for such a patient.

Meniscus injury.

The reasons may be hitting the knee on a hard object, jumping from a height (the meniscus is crushed). The meniscus can be crushed by sudden and poorly coordinated movement of the knee joint. In this case, the meniscus, unable to keep up with the joint capsule, breaks away from it and ruptures, falling into the kneecap.
Signs of such damage may include the following conditions:

strong pain;
impairment of motor activity;
the patient cannot straighten or bend the damaged joint to the end, the leg is generally in a semi-bent state;
relapses of the blockade are observed, and it is during this period that the doctor can diagnose the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.

An X-ray machine is used for diagnosis. If a more detailed examination is necessary, air and liquid ascertaining substances can be injected into the knee joint. The formation of deforming arthrosis may be observed; this is clear evidence that the meniscus is damaged.
Such damage can only be treated in a hospital. All accumulated fluid is removed from under the kneecap, and a plaster splint is applied. If the damage is very severe, reduction may be performed under general anesthesia.

Other joint injuries

The joint may be subject to the following injuries:

Hemarthrosis is bleeding in the knee joint.

Treatment takes place only in a hospital. All accumulated fluid is removed from the knee. This procedure can be performed several times until the liquid stops accumulating. A plaster cast must be applied. The patient is recommended to walk only on crutches for 10 days, then the knee is fixed with a special bandage. This bandage should be worn for up to 6 months to avoid re-accumulation of fluid.

Patella fracture.

When such an injury occurs, swelling of the joint is visually observed, and fluid collects in the cavity of the cup.

This type of injury can be caused by a blow to the knee or a fall from a height.
It is very important to perform diagnostics here to determine what other associated damage has been sustained. An x-ray is taken, which clearly shows the type of fracture. Before taking the picture, a fracture can be diagnosed in this way: just ask the patient to hold his leg up. In the event of a fracture, a person will not be able to hold it for even a few seconds.
Treatment will depend on the type of fracture. If it is not displaced, then a puncture is performed, all accumulated fluid is pumped out, and a splint bandage is applied, which secures the leg from the middle of the thigh to the ankle. It is definitely recommended to apply cold in the first hours to avoid large swelling of the injured knee. After a week, a cast is applied, which will allow the patient to step on the injured limb.
It is this type of injury that requires long-term rehabilitation, which includes exercise therapy, thermal treatments and massage.
If a displaced fracture is diagnosed, surgery is performed under local anesthesia. Sutures are placed on the joint itself. If the fracture has multiple fragments, then part of the crushed knee is removed, screws, knitting needles, and wires are used for fixation.

Dislocation.

This type of knee injury occurs due to sudden strain on the quadriceps muscle and movement of the lower leg. Signs of such an injury can be determined visually: displacement of the kneecap, limited movement, the leg will be in a bent state.
Dislocations do not require hospitalization of the patient; treatment is carried out at home. A traumatologist adjusts the injured organ under local anesthesia. A fixing bandage is applied for several weeks. Next, massage and exercise therapy are prescribed.
Full motor activity is restored after a month and a half.

The knee or knee joint has a complex structure. The knee contains the patella, femur and more - the tibia, tendons, muscle fibers, cartilage, and knee ligaments. This complex mechanism plays a major role in knee power, stability, and instability. The knee joint is subject to greater stress than all other joints. After all, the entire weight of the body falls on the kneecap area.

Knee injury

The knee joint has a complex structure - the bones are connected by ligaments, and between the bones there are spacers in the form of cartilage tissue or meniscus. They are designed to soften friction and perform a shock-absorbing function.

Tendons connect the knee joint to the bones. The slightest awkward movement or blow can lead to injury to the knee and ligament. Damage to the kneecap can be mild, when there is no need to resort to surgical intervention, and complex, when the victim can become disabled without appropriate treatment.

Classification of knee injury

What types of this pathology are divided into? What types of knee injuries are there? All types of damage directly depend on the cause of the injury. They are divided into the following types of knee joint injuries:

A bruise is one of the most common and mild injuries to the kneecap. Occurs when there is a slight impact or as a result of a fall.
Dislocation - a large load combined with torque on the knee joint leads to dislocation.
Tears and sprains occur due to lifting weights while bending the joint with unsuccessful jumps. The lateral ligaments can be damaged during a blow to the straightened leg.
If the meniscus is destroyed by disease, it is enough to incorrectly raise the leg on the stairs or with a slight load on the kneecap.
Cartilage damage - a dislocation or fracture provokes changes in the cartilage tissue and causes pinching.
Knee fractures and cracked kneecaps occur in the knee bone or the bones that articulate at the joint.

At the slightest suspicion of a kneecap injury, you should consult a specialist. After all, at the time of injury, it is difficult to assess the full danger of the injuries received, and they can provoke serious consequences.

Symptoms and causes

In the first few days after a knee joint injury, symptoms of aseptic inflammation predominate - pain, swelling, changes in the color of the dermis and disruption of the patella. All this greatly complicates the diagnosis and selection of an effective treatment method.

Let's take a closer look at the signs of knee injuries.

Injury

A bruise is characterized by typical signs of a non-purulent inflammatory process, developing almost immediately after injury. The main symptoms of this type of damage are:

Severe pain at the moment of impact, gradually giving way to unpleasant local painful sensations.
Swelling and discoloration of the skin of the damaged area.
When injured, it is difficult to move the injured limb.

Cause

The knee joint can be damaged during a fall or a direct blow. All the children run around with broken knees. The child's increased activity leaves no chance of avoiding such bruises. But the knees of professional athletes suffer more often than those of a child or just an adult. Runners, soccer players, and martial arts athletes are all susceptible to knee injuries when they fall and are unable to protect them.

Dislocation

When a dislocation occurs, the victim feels acute pain in the knee; it looks deformed and swollen. When you try to move your knee, you hear a specific crunch. Sometimes the joint becomes numb, and the patient cannot make any movements with it.

Causes

Most often, knee dislocation occurs for the following reasons:

Injury during sports activities.
Fall from a height onto straightened and bent legs.

In some cases, the cause of knee damage is weakness of the ligamentous apparatus due to chronic diseases or due to genetic pathologies.

Meniscus injury

In the acute period, symptoms of aseptic inflammation predominate. At the same time, there is local pain, swelling, limited mobility, hemarthrosis or fluid accumulation in the joint cavity. With a single injury, bruises, tears, pinching or crushing of the menisci occur. A symptom of joint “blockade” may occur due to the damaged part of the meniscus getting between the articular surfaces of the bones.

Cause

Damage to the meniscus can occur under any set of circumstances in a person of different age categories - when a leg is twisted, or when the knee hits a hard surface.

Most often, such a knee joint injury occurs in athletes and fans of extreme sports, as well as in those who squat for a long time or like to squat.

People with weak or mobile ligaments, as well as those with diseases such as gout and arthritis, are also prone to similar injuries.

A person who suffers from muscle spasms in the front of the thigh and has overstrained rectus and iliopsoas muscles can also get a meniscus injury.

Patella injury

A fracture of the patella is characterized by acute pain, deformation, swelling of the knee, and hemarthrosis. The injured lower limb is in an extended position. When bending, acute pain occurs.

If a displaced fracture occurs, fragments of the patella can be felt under the skin. Most victims can walk, but experience severe pain.

Causes

The main causes of fractures of the knee joint are direct, forceful impact or, most often, a knee injury occurs when falling on a bent kneecap.

The patella does not break very often; even a direct blow does not always result in a violation of the integrity of the bones. But there is a danger of getting damaged without applying force. It occurs due to strong tension of the tendon and therefore a rupture of the bones of the patella is possible - complete or partial.

Injury to the capsular ligamentous apparatus

It is quite difficult to detect ligament rupture in the acute stage, since the pain syndrome is pronounced, muscle hypertonicity is present, movement in the knee is limited, and hemarthrosis. Most often, victims seek help from a specialist with long-standing ligament injuries and progressive instability of the knee joint.

Cause

Different types of ligaments are injured in different ways; the factor causing their damage is excessively strong hyperextension and twisting of the limbs. But there are common reasons - these are sports that involve stress on the joints and direct impact on the ligaments. The direction and force of the blow determines which ligament is injured:

The cruciate ligaments are torn when there is a strong impact on the back of the flexed leg.
Both types of collateral ligaments can rupture if a person twists his ankle or trips while walking in high heels.

Obvious symptoms of synovitis due to hemarthrosis develop quite quickly. Within a couple of hours, a detailed clinical picture is observed. Among the signs indicating the presence of fluid in the joint cavity are the following:

Acute pain.
The joint is deformed.
The range of active movements is limited.
Increase in temperature in the area of the injury.

Causes

Damage to any articular component of the knee results in hemorrhage. Stagnant blood in the cavity provokes non-purulent inflammation of the synovial membrane.

First aid

The victim cannot always seek help from a doctor with this injury. Therefore, in such cases it is necessary to provide pre-medical assistance to the patient. The action axiom is standard for many injuries:

The first thing to do is to ensure the rest of the injured limb; to do this, it must be placed on an elevated surface, for example, on a pillow.
Apply a cold compress to the knee area to help reduce swelling.
In case of severe pain, take painkillers.
After a certain time, remove the ice and apply a bandage.

If a ligament is bruised or sprained in a mild form, treatment can be carried out at home - a special ointment, as well as therapeutic exercises, will quickly put the victim back on his feet. But to diagnose and prevent complications, it is advisable to consult a specialist.

If the victim exhibits the following symptoms, he must be taken to the hospital as soon as possible:

Intense bleeding.
Joint deformity.
Edema, hemarthrosis.
Numbness of the leg.
Complete blocking of mobility.
Continuous pain.

Treatment of knee joint injuries should be carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. Otherwise, serious complications and impaired joint mobility may occur.

Diagnostics

A knee injury, as a rule, does not cause serious diagnostic problems for a traumatologist. It is enough for the doctor to ask the patient about the cause of the injury and conduct an examination with an assessment of active and passive movements, and compare them with the pain that arises during all-round movements.

An experienced specialist usually manages to collect the necessary information after an inspection, but sometimes situations arise that require clarification of the type of damage. For this, the patient is prescribed an X-ray examination and magnetic resonance imaging.
The doctor, taking into account the mechanism of the injury, will perform certain tests using bending and twisting of the knee. These actions will help clarify the stability of the ligamentous apparatus and identify hidden damage to the menisci and cartilage tissue. These tests are also necessary for the correct choice of knee immobilization.

Instrumental diagnostics may be required to choose tactics and the need for surgical treatment. Since knee injury is accompanied by inflammation of the joint capsule and hemorrhage into the joint, an ultrasound examination can be quite informative, especially in cases where puncture treatment of a knee injury may be required.

X-rays and computed tomography are necessary to detect damage in the form of cracks and fractures of bone structures, and MRI is necessary to assess damage to soft tissues.

Treatment of injury

How to treat a knee injury? After the diagnosis has been established, it is necessary to begin treatment, which is carried out in a special institution and consists of a step-by-step organization of medical care.

If ligaments are damaged or fractured, long-term immobilization of the injured leg is required. You can use a plaster bandage for this. Immobilization using plaster is desirable for cracks, fractures and non-displaced fractures.

Restoration of bone fragments

Restoration of fragments is carried out simultaneously, in case of deformation of the patella with transverse, transverse-oblique planes. Secondary comparison is not possible for such injuries. Reduction is carried out under complete anesthesia or general anesthesia. After restoration of the debris, the affected leg is fixed in a plaster cast for a period of two months.

Pull

If the bone fragments have an oblique angle of fracture, then after restoration of the structure it is impossible to immobilize the leg with a plaster cast. Therefore, skeletal traction or external fixation rod structures are used to restore bone tissue.

Surgical intervention

An operation may be prescribed if it is necessary to compare the anatomical structure and functionality of the damaged knees. Much bone destruction in a closed fracture cannot be compared.

Surgical intervention is prescribed for the treatment of traumatic destructions characterized by rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint, severe displacement of a bone fragment, fragmentation of the knee cap, or other instabilities of the knee and the ineffectiveness of conservative treatment.

Modern medicine uses minimally invasive therapy to treat torn ligaments, meniscus or other injuries. Two or three small incisions are made on the cup, through which the adhesion of fragments and scraps of blood vessels is carried out. During the operation, special endoscopic instruments are used to visualize the process occurring in the kneecaps.

Forecast

The prognosis of a knee injury, as well as the result of treatment, completely depends on the type, severity of the injury and the timing of its occurrence.

This injury is rarely life-threatening, but severe injuries may be accompanied by pain and shock. A deforming injury with a violation of bone integrity can lead to damage to neurovascular formations and, as a result, disability.

Most minor knee injuries go away on their own with the use of conservative treatment - painkillers, special anti-inflammatory creams. The prognosis for this type is good.

If the injury provokes a violation of the ligamentous apparatus of the joint, then dysfunction or instability of the knee joint is possible, and this may require surgical treatment using arthroscopic techniques.

Some knee injuries lead to chronic and irreversible pathologies. That is why the victim needs to seek help from a specialist within the first few hours or days after receiving an injury.

Do not delay diagnosis and treatment of the disease!

Make an appointment with a doctor!

A knee injury is an unpleasant occurrence because a person needs joints to move.

The knee joint is subject to greater stress than the rest. After all, the entire weight of the body falls on him. Loads often lead to.

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The most common and easiest injury to the knee is a bruise. It occurs when there is a slight blow or as a result of a fall.
Sometimes a large load (with torque) on the joint leads to dislocation of the knee (patella).
Tears or sprains of ligaments and tendons are caused by lifting a load when bending, or unsuccessful jumps. The lateral ligaments can be injured when the leg is straightened. Slipping can cause a sprain if there is a torque present.
Meniscus injuries are very dangerous. If a rupture occurs, surgery may be required. This is an intra-articular injury in which a person feels a sharp pain impulse in the joint. In addition, limited movement appears; in some cases, this injury leads to joint blockade. Sometimes a meniscus tear occurs simultaneously with a cruciate ligament tear. A meniscus injury can be isolated or accompany other injuries. A torn meniscus occurs in those who have previously injured the anterior cruciate ligament. Meniscus damage does not only occur as a result of injury. It can be caused by degenerative processes (due to illness or senile changes in the body). If the meniscus is destroyed by disease, then improper lifting of the leg on the stairs or a slight load is enough to cause a rupture of the meniscal tissue.
Cartilage damage. Typically, a dislocation or fracture leads to changes in the cartilage tissue and pinching.
Fractures are a common injury among athletes. Elderly people experience this injury due to the fragility of bone tissue.
Cracks can occur in the patella or in the joint bones.

sitting on a chair, flex and extend the damaged joint (10-15 times);
you can do a “bicycle” with your feet (moderate pace);
small squats (with support);
to restore stretch to the tendons, sit on the floor (legs extended forward) and try to bend your torso as low as possible.

All exercises are carried out daily.

There should be no pain during the warm-up.

At first, 5-10 minutes of exercise is enough.
A visit to the sanatorium allows you to undergo a rehabilitation course and restore mobility.

Possible consequences

Fluid accumulation. If immobilization and fixation do not produce results, the fluid rises and has to be pumped out.
A torn meniscus can cause disability.
Ligament rupture impairs motor activity.
A fracture of the kneecap leads to loss of support function of the leg.
Infection of a wound during an injury can cause purulent bursitis. And its treatment requires surgery.
Stiffness of movements.
It is impossible to bend the knee.

More attention should be paid to a set of rehabilitation exercises.

The human body is very complex. Therefore, any injury can lead to unexpected and very serious consequences. When playing sports, do not put excessive strain on your joints. After all, an injury can put even the most avid athlete out of action for a long time; the worse option is that you can forget about sports forever.

Sports injuries

A significant percentage of patients in modern clinics are athletes with these injuries. Professional sports leaves its mark on the performance and proper functioning of the joint. Due to excessive stress on the lower body, a variety of ligament tears, meniscus tears, fractures and dislocations occur.

After this, many people are forever deprived of their sports career, the ability to fully move, and undergo very long treatment and subsequent rehabilitation. Among the most common injuries: meniscus damage, cruciate ligament rupture, and less commonly, bone fractures.

Hemorrhage or hemarthrosis

In modern medicine there is a special term - hemarthrosis. So, hemarthrosis is an accumulation of blood in the joints. With a small amount of blood (up to 10 ml), the body suppresses the problem on its own.

When the amount of fluid in the joints increases, a number of serious complications arise, which can lead to subsequent operations and long-term rehabilitation. The main causes of hemorrhage are injuries. Due to its unique structure and properties, the accumulation of blood in this area can lead to consequences.

Main symptoms:

slight pain in the knee area, while normal stability and clarity of movement may be maintained;
slight increase in knee volume (with a small amount of blood);
swelling and change in skin color;
loss of skin elasticity and significant enlargement of the knee (more than 100 ml of blood);
the formation of blood clots that can be felt under the skin with your fingers;

Overuse injury

Every knee injury occurs as an acute condition as a result of physical impact on the joint. But some of them can also be a consequence of prolonged stress or repetitive actions. For example, cycling, climbing stairs, jumping and running can cause irritation or inflammation.

In medicine, there are several injuries of this type:

bursitis - inflammation of the synovial bursae that soften friction between the heads of bones;
tendonitis (inflammation) or tendinosis (ruptures) of tendons;
Plick's syndrome - twisting or thickening of the ligaments in the knee;
patellofemoral pain syndrome - occurs after excessive stress, excess weight, injury or congenital defects of the kneecap.

Diagnostic methods

No treatment will be prescribed without tests, examination and diagnosis, therefore, the traumatologist uses various diagnostic methods:

questions are asked about what happened and when, what treatment was taken before the consultation, what worries you (general symptoms);
an examination is carried out, during which the doctor will palpate to determine whether there is internal bleeding, a lump, swelling and redness;

Knee injury from a fall - treatment, what to do

Knee injury– damage to the soft tissues and bone structures that form the knee joint. Belongs to the category of frequently occurring injuries. It can vary significantly in severity - from mild bruises to intra-articular comminuted and comminuted fractures. Most often occurs when falling or hitting the knee. Accompanied by swelling, pain and limitation of movement. Hemarthrosis is usually observed. For diagnosis, radiography, ultrasound of the joint, arthroscopy, CT, MRI and other studies are used. Therapeutic tactics depend on the type of damage.

ICD-10

S83 S82.0 S82.1 S72.4

General information

Knee joint injury is one of the most common injuries, due to the high load on this segment and its anatomical features. Most injuries are minor, occur at home (for example, falling on the street) and are subject to outpatient treatment in an emergency room. In addition, the knee joint often suffers during various sports, and the severity and nature of the injuries can vary greatly.

X-rays of the knee joint reveal unevenness of the joint space. An MRI of the knee joint reveals a violation of the integrity of the ligament. The most informative diagnostic method is arthroscopic examination, which allows you to visually assess the condition of the ligament, and in some cases, restore its integrity. Treatment for tears is usually conservative. A joint puncture is performed and a cast is applied for 3-4 weeks, if possible deviating the leg towards the injured ligament. Subsequently, exercise therapy and massage are prescribed. In case of ruptures, surgical treatment is usually required - stitching or plastic surgery of the ligament. After restoring the integrity of the ligament, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed and rehabilitation measures are carried out.

Rupture of the quadriceps tendon and the patellar ligament occurs as a result of a blow or sharp flexion of the lower leg with tense thigh muscles. Intense pain and gait disturbance appear, the patient's leg bends when walking. The patient cannot lift his straightened leg. There is no hemarthrosis. Palpation of the injured area is painful, there are no signs of pathological mobility, palpation of the bone structures is painless.

A knee joint injury is diagnosed based on clinical signs, and if necessary, the patient is referred for an MRI. In case of tears, immobilization is carried out for 3-4 weeks, then physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy and water procedures are prescribed. In case of ruptures, surgical intervention is indicated - suture of the tendon or ligament. After surgery, analgesics, antibiotics and physical therapy are prescribed. Exercise therapy is required to prevent the development of knee joint contracture and maintain muscle tone and strength.

Meniscal injuries

Fractures in the knee joint

A patellar fracture occurs when a person falls on the front of the knee. Accompanied by intense pain, swelling, hemarthrosis and the inability to hold a raised straight leg. Support is difficult or impossible. When palpating the patella, a “failure” can be determined - diastasis between the fragments, formed due to contraction of the quadriceps muscle. The diagnosis is confirmed by x-ray of the knee joint. Treatment of non-displaced fractures is conservative - immobilization for 6-8 weeks. For displaced fractures, surgical intervention is indicated, during which the fragments are pulled together and connected to each other with a special wire. Then physiotherapy, massage, exercise therapy and painkillers are prescribed. Recovery time ranges from two to three months.

Fractures of the tibia and femur condyles are among the most severe injuries of the knee joint. Formed as a result of high-energy exposure. Usually accompanied by damage to other structures (ligaments, menisci). Often observed as part of a combined injury. They manifest as acute pain, significant swelling, hemarthrosis and knee deformity. Movement is impossible. On palpation, crepitus is sometimes detected. Treatment is usually conservative: skeletal traction or casting. In case of pronounced displacement, osteosynthesis of fragments is carried out using screws, a plate or tie bolts. Patients are prescribed exercise therapy and physiotherapeutic procedures, and rehabilitation measures are carried out during the recovery period.