Knee
膝关节
what can go wrong
Common knee conditions
1. Meniscus tear
2. ACL tear
3. Cartilage Tear
4. Knee ostoarthritis
5. Gout
Meniscus Tear
Meniscii are the shock absorbers of the knee.
Tears can occur from injury or degeneration.
Tears from injury can be associated with ligament injuries.
Tears from degeneration is associated with osteoarthritis.
Once torn, it loses it's cushioning function and the adjacent cartilage may undergo further wear.
Treatment options include- painkillers, physiotherapy, rest or arthroscopic (key hole surgery).
ACL Tear
One of the 4 main ligaments in the knee.
It lies in the middle of the knee, it tears from a twisting (pivoting) injury.
Occasionally it is associated with mensicus tears.
The main symptoms of a acute ACL tear is pain and swelling.
The main symptoms of a chronic ACL tear is instabilty (giving way).
Treatment options include, rest, analgesics, physiotherapy, or arthroscopic (key hole) ACL reconstruction surgery.
Cartilage Tear
The smooth covering of the joint surfaces.
Commonly worn out in osteoarthritis, but can also be injured with repetitive injury, in conjunction with meniscal tears, so with abnormal patello femoral (knee cap) joint mechanics.
Once worn out or injured- it is hard to restore it fully.
Oral cartilage supplements have not been proven to regenerate cartilage.
Knee osteoarthritis
Degenerative condition of the knee causing wearing out of all the structures in the knee.
This includes cartilage thinning, meniscal tears, ligament tears, bone spurs and bone loss.
Diagnosis is done with history, physical examination and X ray investigation.
For mild symptoms- the treatment is non operative with rest, physiotherapy, walking aids, activity modification and weight loss (if obese).
For severe symptoms- treatment is usually a knee replacement surgery.
Knee osteoarthritis is rarely the cause of pain in the thigh, shin or back of the knee.
Gout
A crystal arthritis of the joints.
Relatively common in Singapore. It is the build up of uric acid crystals.
Gout attacks may happen due to dehydration, minor injury, excessive intake of high purine foods including beans, nuts, alcohol, innards and red meat.
Gout attacks are treated with rest, anti inflammatory medications and good hydration.