Knee Injuries and Defects and Treatment for Them

While fractures are the most widely recognizable joint injury, other injuries are more common, especially for the knee. The knees are essential for support and mobility. They consist of a complex structure of strong bones and flexible ligaments, each of which could be injured individually.

Knee fractures are less common than lower leg and forearm fractures. Arthritis is the more common cause of chronic pain in the knees. The joints in the body have smooth contact surfaces; and the ligaments that hold them together are filled with synovial fluid to keep bones from scraping against each other. After the age of fifty, the fluid secreted by the body’s cells decreases while the cells themselves begin to die and stop regenerating. The fluid in these ligaments also dissipates, and the cartilage becomes thinner.

Congenital deformities also occur in the knees, resulting in poor posture and diminished mobility. Common deformities are valgus or “knock knees” and varus or “bowleggedness.” While some cases are mild enough to live with normally, severe cases may require surgery when people with these conditions are unable to walk properly.

The knee is a complex structure that joins the tibia and fibula to the femur. The ends of the tibia and femur meet but do not scrape against each other because of the articular cartilage on the bottom of the femur and the meniscus cartilage at the top of the tibia. Meniscus cartilage tears are common among athletes as they are often caused by sudden twisting of the leg during a game or by repetitive squatting during practice. Meniscus injuries cause swelling and pain at the knee.

Similar symptoms are present with articular cartilage wear. Unlike the traumatic causes of meniscus injuries, articular cartilage wear occurs because of age and strain injuries. People with articular cartilage damage may experience stiffness, pain, and a grinding sensation at the joint when they bend the limb. People suffering from these injuries may need knee replacement Fort Lauderdale surgeons can offer.

The knee replacement Fort Lauderdale patients undergo involves putting an artificial knee to duplicate the function of the human knee in preventing the bones from scraping against one another while allowing the limb to move in proper alignment. This treatment is usually prescribed for meniscus and articular cartilage injury. The damaged cartilage, along with the articulating surfaces of the original bones themselves, needs to be completely removed before the artificial knee is installed.

Total knee replacement Miami surgeons offer is applicable for patients with damaged ligaments, the cartilaginous "strings" that hold the knee together. Total knee replacement components could include new artificial ligaments between tibia and femur. People with damaged patellas or kneecaps may also undergo knee replacement with a metal artificial knee installed in place of the old one. For more information, see EdHeads.org.

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