Knee Care

Your knees are complex joints, and that makes them more likely to be injured. Learning how to prevent knee injuries and treating them if they occur can help you stay active at work and play.

Knee injuries have actually become pretty common. One of the main reasons they're common is that with so many teens playing sports, knees can be overused, leading to several types of injuries, some of which can't be repaired.

There's a wide variety of surgical approaches to problems in the knee, many of which are also used in other joints. Fusion, or arthrodesis, for example, fixes an arthritic joint in place, fusing bone to bone. While the joint will no longer bend, fusion does relieve the pain.

If your doctor suggests knee surgery as a treatment for your injury or arthritis of the knee, you may feel a little scared and unsure about what’s likely to happen to you. Relax. Getting the right information and knowing the options can help you approach your impending treatment in a calm, unstressed state of mind.

For injuries like mild sprains, strains, and overuse, resting your knee may be one of the first treatments your doctor recommends. Remember RICE:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

Remember, if you experience any symptoms of knee injuries or knee pain, don't hesitate to tell your coach, parent, or doctor. Limit your activities until you can get treatment or a diagnosis.

From the 2940 questionnaires that were sent out, the response rate was 34%. Of these, 49% reported experiencing knee pain in the previous 12 months. Two hundred and thirty-one patients with knee pain attended the department. One hundred and thirty-four (58%) had seen their GP about their knee pain, with 50 (37%) referred on to specialist services. Compared with non-consulters, consulters had more severe disease and higher levels of disability and handicap, and believed the condition was more severe and had major consequences on their lives. Those referred to specialist care had higher levels of handicap and also believed the condition was more severe, with major consequences on their lives, than those not referred.

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