The knee is not one of the most mobile joints in the body (that privilege goes to the shoulder and hip joints). However, the considerable amount of weight, and thus strain, placed on the knee and its necessary use throughout the day (walking, squatting, sitting, etc.) make knee injuries common, especially those resulting from repetitive use.
Knee injuries, and the extent of these injuries, can vary immensely, meaning that the treatment needed can also vary considerably. To ensure the best care of your knee, it is crucial to seek medical care to determine your ideal treatment, which may consist of self-care measures, a brace, physical therapy, or even surgery.
Symptoms of Knee Injury
- Redness
- Warmth to touch
- Swelling and stiffness
- Popping or crunching noise
- Instability or weakness
- Difficulty fully straightening the knee
Common Types of Knee Injuries
- Knee Bursitis
One of the most common conditions to result from repetitive strain, knee bursitis occurs when the bursae (the small sacs of fluid cushioning the outside of the knee joint) become inflamed.
- ACL Injury
An ACL tear, which is a common sports injury, involves tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). While there are four ligaments found in the knee, the ACL is the one most commonly injured. ACL injuries typically result from sudden changes in direction and are thus very common in those who play soccer or basketball, although anyone who makes a sudden change in direction may injure their ACL.
- Torn Meniscus
The meniscus is the cartilage residing between the shinbone and the thigh bone, and can become torn if you suddenly twist your knee, specifically when putting weight on it. This may occur due to a sports injury or poor safety protocols when working.
- Arthritis
There are multiple types of arthritis affecting the knee, including:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- gout
- pseudogout
- septic arthritis
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, a wear-and-tear condition. With repetitive use and increasing age, the cartilage of the knee deteriorates, increasing pain when using the joint.
While arthritis can develop independently of work, some people’s careers may speed along this deterioration, making their arthritis worse than if they did not work in that occupation.
- Patellar Tendinitis
The patellar tendon runs from the kneecap to the shinbone, and when it becomes injured, there is often irritation and inflammation, a condition known as patellar tendinitis. This injury is common in those who often run, kick, or jump, such as runners, cyclists, and skiers.
- Documenting a Knee Injury
While many cases of knee pain can be managed with self-care measures, if you believe that your knee pain resulted from a work injury or excessive strain from the nature of your job, it is essential to have the case documented. Doing so means that, even if your self-care measures initially help the pain, you have a better chance for worker’s compensation if the condition worsens.
Taking too long to document the injury in relation to your job strengthens the case against the job as the cause of your injury. So, always be sure to report any injuries related to the job as soon as they occur and seek medical attention to determine the best treatment for your knee injury.
