The knee is a joint that joins the thighbone (femur) to the top of the shinbone (tibia). It’s made up of bones; muscles; and tissues called cartilage , tendons, and ligaments . These parts work together to let the legs bend, straighten, and turn. A knee injury can damage one or more parts of the knee.
People may hurt a knee in a fall or accident. Others get overuse knee injuries. These happen when someone trains too much for a sport or makes the same motions over and over with the knee.
Common knee injuries include:
Signs and symptoms of a knee injury depend on the cause. Most people with knee injuries have pain. The knee may also feel weak or like it’s "giving way" or "locking." People might not be able to fully bend or straighten the knee, which also might be swollen or bruised.
To diagnose a knee injury, doctors ask how the injury happened and what symptoms it's causing.
They'll do an exam where they press on the knee and legs, and move them in certain ways. This can help show what part of the knee is hurt.
Some people may need imaging tests like an X-ray to check for injuries to the bones, or a CT scan or an MRI to look inside the knee.
Treatment for a knee injury depends on the cause. Follow your doctor’s instructions for what activities are OK. If an activity causes pain, stop doing it. You can try that activity later on or the next day.
If your doctor says it’s OK, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Follow the label directions for how much to take and how often.
To help with swelling in the first day or two after the injury, you can:
Sometimes, a person with a knee injury may need physical therapy or surgery.
To help prevent knee injuries, wear the right protective equipment for sports (like knee pads and shin guards). You also need supportive athletic shoes that are in good condition.
Learn how to move safely. When jumping, bend your knees while landing. And when changing directions or turning quickly (as in soccer), crouch and bend at the knees and hips. This helps lower your chances of an ACL injury.
Be sure to warm up before a workout and cool down after it. You can also do regular strength training to support muscles, and stretching or yoga to be more flexible.
Finally, try to stay active year-round, even if you’re not playing an organized sport. This can help keep your knees and the rest of you in shape.
If your knee hurts, it’s important to find out why. A visit to your doctor can help you find the cause and get treatment.
Reviewed by: Amy W. Anzilotti, MD
Date Reviewed: Jan 8, 2024
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