About the condition
Knee ‘wear and tear injuries’
What are ‘wear and tear injuries’ of the knee? Knee meniscal tears, cartilage injury, and osteoarthritis are conditions that affect the knee joint, often as a result of wear and tear. Meniscal tears involve damage to the meniscus, a C-shaped piece of cartilage that cushions the knee. Cartilage injury refers to damage to the smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in the knee joint. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the cartilage wears down over time. Often one may start with a meniscal or cartilage injury and progress over many year to osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
• Pain in the knee, especially during weight-bearing activities.
• Swelling and stiffness in the knee.
• Reduced range of motion in the knee.
• Clicking or locking sensation in the knee.
• Instability or weakness in the knee.
Causes
• Aging and wear and tear on the knee joint.
• Previous injuries to the knee, such as fractures or sprains.
• Obesity.
• Genetic predisposition to osteoarthritis.
• Repetitive stress on the knee joint.
Diagnosis Your doctor or sports Podiatrist will diagnose knee meniscal tears, cartilage injury, and osteoarthritis based on your medical history and a physical examination of your knee. Imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans may be used to assess the severity of the condition and rule out other causes of knee pain.
Treatment
• Relative Rest: Avoid activities that put too much stress on the knee joint.
• Symptom management: Apply ice, using analgesics and/or ibuprofen, massage, stretches can help manage short term symptoms.
• Footwear: Wear supportive shoes with good arch support and cushioning.
• Orthotics: Use custom orthotic devices to support your feet and reduce pressure on the knee joint. Especially proven in uni-compartment injury.
• Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can provide exercises and treatments to help alleviate pain and improve knee function.
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation. These have now often been superseded by more modern injections including Hyaluronic acid, PRP or Arthrosamid injections for longer lasting relief, and reduced side effect profile.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the damaged structures in the knee.
Prevention
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Wear supportive footwear.
• Avoid high-impact activities that put stress on the knee joint.
• Stretch and strengthen the muscles around the knee.
• Gradually increase the intensity of your physical activities.
See also https://www.kentsportspod.com/common-conditions/knee-arthritis
