The knee is a complex system, with multiple ligaments working in conjunction with one another, so it does not take much to throw everything out of whack. Most people are familiar with knee issues through sports, whether that be from personal experience, or hearing about running backs tearing their ACL, but we have listed out some of the most common knee injuries:
Sprained Ligaments
Much like our blog about common hand injuries, the knee is made up of a serious of complex ligaments, and any injury to a ligament is a sprain. In the scope of knee injuries, a sprained ligament is getting off pretty light. It may feel pretty painful but your downtime is minimal and there is not much recovery needed.
Torn Ligaments
Torn ligaments are extremely painful and can cause pain for the rest of your life. Torn ligaments often require surgery and can take a long time to recover from. Torn ligaments can still cause knee discomfort long after surgery. The most common torn ligament that most people know of is the ACL. The ACL connects the thigh to the shin, and can rupture with sudden twisting motions. A torn ACL will require reconstructive surgery and physical therapy.
Torn Meniscus
Meniscus tears are common among athletes, most notably Adrian Peterson tore his meniscus in 2016. The meniscus is the disc of cartilage between the thighbone and the shinbone. Much like a torn ACL, a meniscus tear is caused by a sudden twisting motion of the knee.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is an injury caused by overuse. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon which connects muscle to the bone. Tendonitis is characterized by swelling, soreness, and stiffness. Tendonitis is treated using physical therapy and pain management.