Condition Lookup

Patellar fractures

Symptoms:
pain in the front of the knee; swelling; difficulty straightening the knee; bruising; inability to bear weight

Root Cause:
The patella (kneecap) is broken due to trauma, such as a direct blow or a sudden forceful contraction of the quadriceps muscle.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays to confirm the fracture type, and occasionally CT scans for complex fractures.

Treatment:
Non-surgical treatment with immobilization using a knee brace or cast for less severe fractures; surgical treatment (open reduction and internal fixation) for displaced fractures. Physical therapy is often required post-treatment.

Medications:
Pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, e.g., ibuprofen ) or prescription analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen with codeine or hydrocodone ). Muscle relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine ) may be prescribed for associated muscle tension.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Relatively uncommon; accounts for approximately 1% of all skeletal injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact sports, falls, motor vehicle accidents, osteoporosis, or other bone-weakening conditions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with appropriate treatment; most individuals regain full knee function, though some may experience stiffness or residual pain.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic knee pain, stiffness, arthritis, or malunion/nonunion of the fracture.

ACL, MCL, or PCL tears

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Lower Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Knee Injuries

Symptoms:
knee instability; swelling; pain; limited range of motion; popping sound during injury; difficulty walking

Root Cause:
Ligament tears occur due to sudden twisting, hyperextension, or direct impact to the knee.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical tests (e.g., Lachman test, pivot shift test), MRI for detailed imaging of soft tissues, and X-rays to rule out bone injuries.

Treatment:
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) initially; physical therapy, bracing, and surgical reconstruction (e.g., ACL graft surgery) for severe tears.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ) for pain and inflammation. Post-surgical pain managed with acetaminophen or prescription opioids (e.g., oxycodone ) if needed.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in athletes, especially in sports requiring rapid changes in direction or jumping; ACL injuries alone affect approximately 200,000 people annually in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Participation in high-impact sports, previous knee injuries, poor muscle conditioning, or biomechanical imbalances.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Variable; full recovery often takes 6-12 months. Many individuals return to pre-injury levels of activity with proper treatment.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic knee instability, arthritis, re-injury, or incomplete recovery of strength and motion.

Meniscus tears

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Lower Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Knee Injuries

Symptoms:
pain in the knee; swelling; stiffness; catching or locking sensation in the knee; difficulty moving the knee fully; instability in the knee

Root Cause:
A tear in the cartilage (meniscus) that cushions the knee joint, often caused by twisting or pivoting movements or due to degeneration over time.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination (e.g., McMurray test, Apley grind test), MRI for detailed imaging, and sometimes arthroscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment:
Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) for mild cases; physical therapy to restore strength and motion; surgical repair or partial meniscectomy for severe tears.

Medications:
NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen or naproxen ) for pain and inflammation. Post-surgical pain management may include acetaminophen or short-term prescription opioids (e.g., hydrocodone ).

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common injury, particularly in athletes and older adults; approximately 500,000 meniscus surgeries are performed annually in the U.S.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-impact sports, previous knee injuries, aging, or activities requiring frequent pivoting or twisting motions.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with appropriate treatment; recovery time ranges from a few weeks for minor tears to several months for surgical cases.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic pain, stiffness, arthritis, or incomplete recovery of knee function.

Knee dislocations

Specialty: Trauma and Injuries

Category: Lower Extremity Injuries

Sub-category: Knee Injuries

Symptoms:
severe knee pain; visible deformity; swelling; instability; numbness or tingling (due to nerve involvement); loss of pulses in the lower leg (vascular injury)

Root Cause:
Displacement of the femur and tibia at the knee joint, often caused by high-energy trauma such as car accidents or sports injuries.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, X-rays to confirm dislocation, MRI to assess ligament and soft tissue damage, and Doppler ultrasound or angiography to check for vascular injury.

Treatment:
Emergency reduction to realign the knee joint, splinting or bracing, and surgical repair of damaged ligaments, blood vessels, or nerves. Physical therapy is essential post-treatment.

Medications:
Pain management with NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen ) or stronger analgesics like opioids (e.g., morphine or oxycodone ). Antibiotics may be given if an open wound is present to prevent infection.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare but serious injury; accounts for less than 0.5% of orthopedic injuries.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
High-energy trauma (e.g., car accidents, falls), sports involving high-impact collisions, and pre-existing ligament laxity.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Highly variable depending on the severity of the injury; some individuals recover fully, while others may have long-term complications.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Vascular or nerve injury, chronic knee instability, stiffness, arthritis, or risk of limb amputation in severe cases with untreated vascular compromise.