About 10.8 million physician visits annually are attributed to knee pain. At Medical Park Orthopaedic Clinic, the most common complaints stem from knee pain. The largest joint in the body and one of the most active, the knee provides numerous opportunities for injury.  

The most common knee injuries are strains to ligaments; these include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) which are most often injured. Changing or twisting direction rapidly, slowing down when running, and landing from a jump most often injure the ACL, while blows to the outside of the knee most commonly damage the MCL. Because of these types of movements athletes sustain the most common injuries but ligament strains often occur in every day activities. 

Other knee injuries include torn cartilage. Typically, the cartilage affected is the meniscus, the tough rubbery cartilage that is attached to the knee’s ligament and acts as a shock absorber. Meniscus tears can occur during actives that include twisting, pivoting, decelerating, or, in some cases, direct blows to the knee. 

Other patients may experience pain simply from a lifetime of use and the onset of arthritis in the knee. Most symptoms include pain going up and down stairs, tenderness and swelling, and the knee may buckle or lock in place. With all knee pain symptoms it is best to see a doctor to properly diagnose the problem and recommend treatment. 

Orthopedic surgeons use a variety of methods in treating knee injuries. The most common treatment for mild injuries is R.I.C.E.- rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Most knee injuries will heal themselves with rest, but other treatment options include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory (either orally or directly applied to the knee through creams and injections), and electrical stimulation. In some cases, surgery may be needed to repair the damage. Physicians at Medical Park Orthopaedic Clinic have brought some of the most advance techniques to healing knee injuries and joint pain to Austin and they continue to expand their capabilities.