Shannon Medical Center | Health Beat | Winter 2018

O Our orthopedic surgeons are experts on knees. Get to know them better—check out shannonhealth.com/ services/orthopedic-services.aspx . ur knees are involved in almost everything we do—walking, bending, turning and climbing. With all that wear and tear, chances are most of us will have at least a minor knee problem at some point that will make us wince and wonder what to do. With that in mind, here are answers to some common questions about knee problems. What causes knee problems? A. A direct blow or sudden movement—like changing direction rapidly when running—can hurt your knee. But knees can also be injured gradually. For instance, a problem with your feet or hips can make you move awkwardly. And that can throw off your knees’ alignment, eventually damaging them. Can diseases cause knee problems too? A. Yes, especially arthritis.The most common kind in the knee is osteoarthritis. In this disease, shock-absorbing cartilage in the knee slowly wears away. Typically, it begins in people 50 and older. But a knee injury might cause osteoarthritis in a younger person. Rheumatoid arthritis—a disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks joints—is another type of arthritis that harms knees. Beyond pain, how can I tell if my knee is injured? A. Swelling is a big tip-off. Your knee might also catch or lock up. Many knee injuries also cause instability—the feeling you get when your knee is giving way. What are some of the most common knee injuries? A. Heading the list: fractures around your knee; dislocations (what happens when the bones of your knee are out of place); and sprains and tears of soft tissue, like ligaments or tendons. What should I do if I hurt my knee? A. When you’re first injured, you can speed your recovery by remembering the acronym RICE: R est your knee to avoid more damage. I ce it with a bag of ice or frozen vegetables. C ompress it with an elastic bandage. E levate your knee above your heart. When does an injured knee need treatment? A. Get treatment right away if you: Have severe pain or swelling. Can’t move your knee. Start limping. Hear a popping noise and feel your knee give out at the time of your injury. How are knee problems diagnosed? A. In three ways: With a medical history; a physical exam; and diagnostic tests, such as an x- ray, MRI, CT scan or biopsy. What are my treatment options? A. Often, knee problems can be treated with fairly simple measures, such as: Immobilization. For example, your doctor might advise a brace to keep your knee from moving. Physical therapy. Exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your knee can help you move comfortably again. Medicine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin and ibuprofen can ease pain and swelling. But to fully restore leg function, surgery may be necessary for many fractures and injuries around the knee. Sometimes doctors can do this surgery arthroscopically, making tiny incisions and using minia- ture instruments to repair the knee. Is knee replacement surgery the right choice for a severely damaged knee? A. Very often, yes. If arthritis or an injury is making it especially hard for you to do everyday ac- tivities—like walking or climbing stairs—this surgery can help you get your life back. In fact, it’s one of the most successful medical procedures. Still, it’s only appropriate when nonsurgical treatments, like medication, and walking supports, such as a cane, are no longer helpful. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Council on Exercise; National Institutes of Health Winter 2018 5