Leg and Knee Conditions: Ligament Injuries

Study notes on leg and knee conditions, including ligament injuries, arthritis, patellar tendinopathy, meniscus tears, and muscle strains.

Ligament Injuries

• Ligaments are strong tissue bands connecting bones and ensuring joint stability.
• Knee ligaments frequently suffer injuries, especially among athletes.
• Common knee ligament injuries include tears to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), MCL (medial collateral ligament), PCL (posterior cruciate ligament), and LCL (lateral collateral ligament).
• ACL injuries often result from sudden stops or directional changes.
• Ligament injury symptoms include pain, swelling, instability, and restricted motion.
• Diagnosis involves a physical exam, MRI scans, and sometimes X-rays to rule out fractures.
• Treatment ranges from conservative methods (RICE protocol – rest, ice, compression, elevation) to surgical reconstruction, depending on the injury's severity and the patient's activity level.
• Rehabilitation is essential post-injury to regain strength, stability, and function.

Arthritis

• A joint disorder marked by inflammation.
• Osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) commonly affect the knee.
• Osteoarthritis involves cartilage breakdown, causing pain, stiffness, and impaired joint function.
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that inflames the joint lining (synovium).
• Symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, warmth, and reduced range of motion.
• Diagnosis includes physical exams, X-rays, and lab tests (for RA).
• Treatment aims to manage pain, improve joint function, and slow disease progression.
• Non-drug treatments include physical therapy, weight management, exercise, and assistive devices.
• Medications include pain relievers, anti-inflammatory drugs, and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).
• Arthroplasty (joint replacement surgery) may be needed in severe cases.

Patellar Tendinopathy

• Also known as jumper's knee, is an overuse injury of the patellar tendon.
• The patellar tendon links the kneecap (patella) to the shinbone (tibia).
• Commonly affects athletes in jumping and running sports.
• Symptoms: pain and tenderness at the front of the knee, especially during or after activity.
• Pain can worsen with jumping, squatting, or prolonged sitting.
• Diagnosed through physical exams and imaging (ultrasound or MRI) to assess tendon damage.
• Treatment involves rest, ice, activity modification, and physical therapy.
• Eccentric strengthening exercises effectively treat this condition.
• Injections or surgery might be considered if conservative treatments fail.

Meniscus Tears

• Menisci are C-shaped cartilage pieces acting as knee shock absorbers.
• Tears can result from traumatic injuries (sudden twists or impacts) or degenerative changes.
• Symptoms include pain, swelling, stiffness, and clicking or locking sensations in the knee.
• Diagnosis includes physical examinations and MRI scans.
• Treatment depends on tear size, location, severity, patient age, and activity level.
• Small tears may heal with conservative care (RICE protocol, pain relievers, physical therapy).
• Arthroscopic surgery may be needed for larger tears or persistent symptoms to repair or remove the damaged part.
• Rehabilitation is important post-treatment to restore strength and function.

Muscle Strains

• Occur when muscle fibers are stretched or torn.
• Hamstring and quadriceps strains are common in the leg.
• Strains are graded by severity: Grade 1 (mild), Grade 2 (moderate), and Grade 3 (severe).
• Symptoms: pain, swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, limited motion range.
• Diagnosis involves a physical exam to determine the strain's location and severity.
• Treatment includes rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), and pain relievers.
• Physical therapy helps to restore strength, flexibility, and function.
• Grade 3 strains might need immobilization or surgical repair.
• Gradually increasing activity levels helps prevent re-injury.