Knee Injuries and Disorders

ACL injuries

01/13/2017 02:52 PM EST

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians
Related MedlinePlus Page: Knee Injuries and Disorders

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National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Knee Injuries and Disorders is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

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Summary

Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.

Knee problems are very common, and they occur in people of all ages. Knee problems can interfere with many things, from participation in sports to simply getting up from a chair and walking. This can have a big impact on your life.

The most common disease affecting the knee is osteoarthritis. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling.

Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.

Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Start Here

Knee Pain (Beyond the Basics) (UpToDate)
Knee Problems (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
What Are Knee Problems? (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)Also in Spanish

Latest News

Is Running Bad for Your Knees? (01/05/2017, HealthDay)
Cartilage from Nose Used to Repair Bum Knees (10/21/2016, HealthDay)

Diagnosis and Tests

Arthrography (Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology)Also in Spanish
Knee MRI (Radiological Society of North America, American College of Radiology)Also in Spanish
Knee Problems (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Water on the Knee (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)

Treatments and Therapies

ACL Reconstruction (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Knee Arthroscopy (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - PDF
Knee Replacement: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine)Also in Spanish

Living With

Knee Bracing: What Works? (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Knee Conditioning Program (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - PDF
Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus Health Topic - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairsAlso in Spanish

Specifics

ACL injuries (American Academy of Family Physicians)
Baker's Cyst (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Hyperextended Knee: Cause of Serious Injury? (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD) (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Patellar Tendinitis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)