The knee joint is one of the most sizable and complicated joints in the body, aside from being an essential joint. It connects the thigh bone to the shinbone and is crucial in sustaining your weight and aiding mobility by allowing you to bend your knee. Due to the intricacy of the knee joint, it is prone to various ailments. Tears in the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage are some of the most frequent knee ailments. Athletes also shatter and dislocate their kneecaps. More severe cases, like a torn ACL, might require surgery at a reputable hospital in Singapore.
7 Most Common Knee Injuries
Severe knee and ankle injuries can happen to athletes, especially those participating in contact sports. An athlete’s knee or ankle ligament can tear or strain depending on the strength of the impact or the width of the motion. The following are the seven most common knee injuries athletes can develop and experience.
#1 Fracture Injuries
The knee, like the ankle, can fracture for athletes in Singapore and abroad. The kneecap (patella) protects the knee joint and can sustain damage through a high-impact incident. A vehicle accident, a violent fall, a sports injury, or any other acute impact on the knee can all result in a kneecap fracture. Most break their patellas. However, they can also fracture their tibia and femur.
Kneecap fractures are a common but devastating injury that often necessitates immobilisation or, in some circumstances, surgery to repair. Irreparable damage to your knees might require a total knee replacement procedure at a reputable Singapore hospital.
#2 Dislocation Injuries
Dislocations occur when the bones around the knee become displaced, whether partial or not. It can happen following a significant trauma, such as a vehicle accident or a high-speed impact. Twisting the knee might also cause it. The patella may also slip out of place if the femur and tibia are out of alignment. Sometimes the kneecap will correct itself and return to its natural position on its own. Like ankle fractures, athletes in Singapore with dislocated knees need six weeks to mend completely.
#3 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
ACL injuries are one of the most prevalent forms of knee damage that athletes experience. Inside the knee joint are the cruciate ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that joins the bottom of the thigh bone (femur) to the top of the shinbone (tibia) and serves to stabilise the knee. Most ACL injuries result in a complete tear.
You can potentially sprain your ACL to variable degrees. The knee might be somewhat stable depending on the severity of the sprain. Those who participate in active sports may be addressed with treatment or bracing. Severe ACL tears require surgery at a hospital in Singapore to completely heal.
#4 Poster Cruciate Ligament Injuries
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) connects the femur bone to the shinbone. It links the tibia and femur at the rear of the knee. If the injury is limited to the PCL, therapy is usually non-surgical. This injury is frequently due to a direct strike to the front of the bent knee and usually recovers on its own. Unlike ACL injuries, surgery at a reputable hospital in Singapore may only be necessary if there is a combination of injuries.
#5 Collateral Ligament Injuries
As mentioned above, injuries to your knee or ankle can cause a ligament to strain or tear. The severity is dependent on the intensity of the impact. Four primary ligaments in your knees are crucial to how your knees function. The ACL and PCL are inside the knee joints, while the collateral ligaments are on either side of your knees.
Collateral ligament damage is a frequent sports injury. This ligament can readily rip when intense pressure or impact presses the lower leg sideways. Most collateral ligament injuries, unlike ACL injuries, do not require surgery at a reputable Singapore hospital. However, if damages to additional structures in the knee are present, your doctor might recommend receiving a surgical intervention.
#6 Torn Meniscus
The meniscus is a cartilage segment that connects the knee joint to the femur. It, like articular cartilage, functions as a cushion between the femur and tibia. Twisting, rotating, cutting, or being tackled on the field can all result in a tear.
On the other hand, meniscus tears are prevalent in sports that demand leaping, such as volleyball and soccer, as well as contact sports, such as football. The meniscus can tear when athletes perform abrupt direction changes while running. Like ACL injuries, athletes may need surgery at reputable hospitals in Singapore, depending on the damage and the severity of the rip. Check out Ray of Health for more information such as ankle injury and pain treatment and its common symptoms.
#7 Torn Tendons
Tendon rips happen when the quadriceps or patellar tendons are ripped or strained. The patellar tendon acts with the knee muscles at the front of the thigh to assist in straightening the leg. A complete tear is considered a debilitating injury that needs surgery to restore full function. Most tendon tears are partial and only require rest and physical therapy to heal. These injuries can occur to anybody, although they are more frequent in middle-aged people and athletes who participate in sports involving jumping or running.
It is advisable to begin the RICE treatment right away. The method comprises rest, ice, moderate compression, and elevation. Some, like a minor knee or ankle ligament tear, can be treated at home or with the assistance of a physical therapist. If you are experiencing severe discomfort, limping, a popping noise, instability, or swelling, you may need to see an orthopaedic specialist. If you have had a knee injury or are suffering knee discomfort, you should consult an orthopaedic professional as soon as possible. Your orthopedist will be able to diagnose the problem and propose treatment options to get you back on track as quickly as feasible.
Visit a Reputable Specialist Clinic for Your Injuries
Specialist Orthopaedic Centre is a leading orthopaediccentre with outstanding bone injury specialists. They are a premier orthopaediccentre with exceptional bone injury experts. In addition, the institution provides total knee replacement treatments for patients in Singapore. Visit their website to learn more about the clinic, its roster of specialists and various services. Patients can also contact them for inquiries and to schedule consultation appointments.