KNEE INJURIES

knee is one of the most common body parts to be injured, Knee injuries are generally caused by twisting or bending force applied to the knee, or a direct blow, such as from sports, falls, or accidents.

TYPES OF COMMON KNEE INJURIES:

Knee sprains are injuries to the ligaments, multiple ligaments stabilize the knee and keep it in alignment. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) stabilize the knee in movement from front to back and cross each other in the middle of the knee joint. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) stabilize the knee so that the bones do not slide from side to side.

Knee strains occur when tendons or muscles surrounding the knee are stretched, usually due to hyperflexion or hyperextension of the knee. These strains can lead to pain outside of the knee joint but can cause dysfunction of the normal range of motion of the knee.

Knee bursitis occurs when a fluid-filled pouch (called a bursa) in the knee is irritated, inflamed, or infected. Bursas are fluid-filled sacs located around joints that act as shock absorbers that minimize the friction between various tissues, such as the muscles and tendons around the joints.

Tears of the meniscus can occur from damage to the inside of the knee. The medial and lateral menisci (plural of meniscus) are semi-round, articular cartilage that acts as shock absorbers and smooth cushions for the thighbone (femur). These menisci can be injured acutely or can become dysfunctional gradually due to overuse and/or aging.

Knee joint dislocation can occur due to high-impact, large-force injuries to the knee (sports, motor vehicle accidents). This is a rare injury but causes severe damage to all the anatomical components of the knee and can include damage to the blood vessels and nerves about the knee. This requires emergency treatment or surgery.

Knee fractures occur from direct blows to the bones. Patella, or kneecap, fractures occur when a person falls directly down onto the knees and the kneecap cracks due to the force. The collapse of the top of the tibia bone in the knee (tibia plateau fracture) can occur from a sudden compression injury to the knee, especially in people with osteoporosis. Other fractures of the long bones (fibula, tibia, and femur) are rare with isolated injuries to the knee.

Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder that occurs most commonly in children. Bone and cartilage beneath the joints lose their blood supply, resulting in joint pain and stiffness. This condition typically affects the knees, but it can also affect other joints such as elbows and ankles.

Osgood-Schlatter disease is a condition in children caused by growth spurts that cause knee pain and swelling below the kneecap.

SYMPTOMS:

• Pain in the knee
• Swelling
• Heat
• Redness
• Tenderness
• Difficulty bending the knee
• Problems weight bearing
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Locking of the knee
• Feeling of instability
• Bruising

Causes

Most knee injuries are caused by an external force bending or twisting the knee in a manner that it was not anatomically designed for. Common causes of knee injuries are a twisting mechanism from falls, sports, or accidents. A twisted knee can cause damage to the ligaments and cartilage.

RISK FACTORS:

• injury, including sports
• overuse or repetitive movement
• inflammation of tendons
• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• obesity

Diagnosis:

• Clinical evaluation
• X-ray of the knee – AP, Lateral.
• CT SCANS
• MRI

HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT:

1. ARNICA -    knee injury arising from a fall, trauma or blow. Arnica is helpful for both acute as well as remote injuries of the knee. The knee feels extremely painful, sore and bruised and the person fears to touch the knee because of intense pain. The knee is also swollen and feels like it is dislocated. A weakness of the lower limb of the affected side is also felt and there is a lack of strength in the knee when walking.
2. RHUS TOX - knee injury arising from overuse, misstep and sudden twist. Cases of sprain and injury to the ligament of the knee are treated well with Rhus Tox pain and swelling in the knee. The pain may be tearing, stitching or burning type and tends to get worse during rest. Motion helps to relieve the pain and the knee may also feel intensely stiff. A tensed and pulling sensation is also felt in the tendons of the knee. Hollow of the knee also feels heavy with the above symptoms.
3. RUTA G - injured tendons, ligaments Ruta is a helpful medicine for treating sprains of the knee. There are sore, aching bruised pains in the knee. The person is unable to bend the knee joint and there is a sensation of contraction in tendons of the knee, they feel as if they were shortened. The knee joint also feels weak.
4. Bryonia - knee injuries when slightest motion of the knee is painful. While walking knees tend to knock together. The knee is also painful to touch and complete rest is needed for getting relief in the knee pain. Warm applications also help relieve the knee pain,pain may be drawing, tensive, shooting, cramp-like or stitching in nature and may extend down the leg in some cases.
5. Symphytum – healing of fractured bone. It boosts the activity of fibroblasts cells to help union of fractured bone speedily. Symphytum can be used with conventional treatment for prompt healing of a fracture. Symphytum is also indicated for cases of fracture to resolve pain that remains at fracture site even after complete bone healing.
6. Calcarea Carb pain in the knee is of stitching, tearing or stinging in nature. Sometimes drawing pain is felt in the knee. Pain is felt when standing, sitting or when walking. The pain may radiate down the toes from the knee in a few cases. There may be a marked weakness along with pain and swelling. Knee feels as if dislocated in many cases where Calcarea Carb is indicated.
7. Apis Mellifica –swelling of the knee in cases of an injury. There is marked swelling, soreness and sensitivity. Pain of stinging or shooting nature along with a burning sensation may also be felt in the knee with the above symptoms.