Dislocated Knee Aftercare

The knee joint comprises the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). These bones are attached to each other via tough bands of fibrous tissues that are referred to as ligaments. Menisci are pads of cartilaginous tissue that help in protecting the bones by reducing friction as one flexes, extends or rotates the knee. These pads also help in dispersing the weight of the body and reduce the stress on the joint. If any of the structures present in the knee get damaged due to repetitive strain or traumatic injuries, the knee can become unstable or even get dislocated. A dislocated knee, as the name suggests, is a medical condition wherein the bones that make up the knee joint fall out of place. This can affect the range of motion of the knee and affect one's ability to walk. As is the case with most health issues, a timely treatment is extremely important in order to restore the normal range of motion of the knee. While corrective surgery may be required to relocate the dislocated knee bones, following dislocated knee aftercare measures are also an extremely important part of the treatment. Given below is some information on the causes and symptoms of a dislocated knee along with treatment options.

Dislocated Knee: Causes and Symptoms

Before I move on to dislocated knee aftercare and recovery, let me tell you about the causes and symptoms of a dislocated knee. A dislocated knee is usually a direct result of a traumatic injury. A dislocated knee could be caused due to an accident, fall from a height or a sports injury. Those who participate in high speed contact sports are most likely to suffer from injuries that may lead to a knee dislocation. Structural abnormalities of the knee could also make one more susceptible to knee injuries. Those suffering from joint conditions such as knee arthritis or osteoporosis are also a great risk of suffering from knee dislocation. A knee dislocation is classified into anterior, posterior, medial, lateral or rotatory. It is the direction of the dislocation of the tibia or the shin bone that forms the basis of this classification.

The term knee dislocation must not be confused with subluxation or patellar dislocation. One is diagnosed with a dislocated knee if the thigh bone gets detached from the shin bone. Patellar dislocation, which is also referred to as the kneecap dislocation, occurs when the V-shaped patella that sits in the concave groove of the thigh bone, slips out of its groove at the end of the thigh bone. Subluxation is a condition wherein the knee slips from its position due to damage to a ligament. Subluxation is less serious as the knee usually slips back into the original position. On the other hand, a dislocated knee would have to be repositioned with the help of surgery. Most of the time, knee dislocation may be accompanied by damage to the cartilage or the anterior or the posterior cruciate ligaments. The symptoms of a dislocated knee include pain, tenderness, swelling, bruising or numbness in the lower leg. The knee may also look deformed.

Dislocated Knee: Treatment

If one experiences the aforementioned symptoms, one must consult a doctor immediately. An X-ray examination can help doctors ascertain whether the knee has been partially or completely dislocated. Dislocated knee treatment will depend on the extent of damage to the knee. In case of a mild injury to the knee, following the RICE principle will certainly prove beneficial. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. While rest is obviously important in order to allow the damaged ligaments or cartilage to heal, applying ice packs can reduce the swelling. Wearing a compression wrap or a knee brace will also prevent the knee from bending and will therefore, promote healing. Keeping the affected leg elevated will also help in reducing the swelling. Painkillers, anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids may also be prescribed. An elaborate treatment will be required if the diagnostic tests indicate considerable damage to the ligaments, cartilage or the nerves. First of all, vascular or nerve injuries need to be attended to. The next step involves reconstruction of the ligaments and cartilage. Once ligament, cartilage or meniscus tears are repaired, and the affected knee has been relocated, one will have to follow precautions regarding dislocated knee aftercare so as to speed up dislocated knee recovery. One may have to wear a cast for a couple of months to keep the affected knee immobilized. This is to promote faster healing and prevent any further damage.

Dislocated Knee Aftercare and Healing Time

Dislocated knee recovery time depends on a variety of factors. If the patient adheres to the guidelines given by doctors and follows the aftercare measures religiously, he/she may recover quickly. In the first couple of months when the affected knee is immobilized, the stress is on preventing any damage and promoting healing. During this time, the patient must use crutches and avoid putting weight on the affected leg. One must refrain from any activity that may put strain on the affected knee. Once the ligaments and cartilage have healed considerably, there is a need to strengthen the muscles and regain the normal range of motion. This can be achieved by going for physiotherapy sessions and performing rehabilitation exercises suggested by the physiotherapist. It is extremely important that the knee is reconditioned well. One should resume weight-bearing activities or indulge in physical activities such as running or playing a sport, only after getting the clearance from the doctor. One may take about four to six months to recover from a dislocated knee, but if one neglects the aspect of dislocated knee aftercare, one may take longer to recover and may not even be able to recover the normal range of motion.

Complying with the dislocated knee aftercare measures is a very important part of the dislocated knee treatment. While it is important to prevent damage to the knee and let the damaged cartilage and ligaments heal during the early stages of rehabilitation, it is important to regain the motion of the knee as well. Those who don't follow the self care measures may later be plagued by the serious issues of knee instability and may find it hard to flex, extend or rotate the knee effortlessly.

Possible Causes of Weak Knees

Small children may complain about knee pain after running, or elderly members in the family may develop knee pain due to arthritis. There exist numerous causes of weak knees. Common possible causes are described below. Finding out the correct cause of weak knees is necessary, as it helps determine proper treatment.

Common Causes of Weak and Painful Knees

One can develop knee pain suddenly, or may complain about chronic knee pain. Some people experience pain in the inner knee (back of the knee), while some experience pain above knee cap. Some avoid walking due to painful knees while some complain about knee pain after sitting. For perfect diagnosis, doctors would examine the symptoms. The symptoms may vary according to the causes. Here are some common causes of weak knees.

Arthritis
Arthritis can lead to weak knees in the elderly. Arthritis is a chronic disease, in which inflammation of the joints and severe pain is experienced by the patient. The disease affects the discs and the bones and leads to stiff joints. These days, more and more young people are being diagnosed with arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis is the main cause of formation of Baker's cyst behind knee. All this can make your knees significantly weak.

Previous or Fresh Injuries
Any type of strain or sprain can lead to stretched muscles, injured nerves or veins, resulting in weak knees. Torn ligament or torn cartilage in the knee is one of the major causes of weak knees. Athletes or sports personalities mostly have to face such problems. Knee injuries during car accidents are also common. Physical trauma or injury leading to dislocation of the knee cap can lead to weak knees, even after proper treatment. Injuries to the thighs, lower legs and hips can lead to increased pressure on knees. This can result in weak knees.

Tendonitis
Inflammation of the tendons in the knee joint can make movement of the knee joint impossible. In athletes, inflammation of the patellar tendon is one of the possible causes of weak knees. This leads to swelling of the knee and restricted or no movement at all. Tendons join the muscles to the bones in the joint and so play an important role in physical activities.

Bursitis
Bursae are the small sacks filled with synovial fluid. Bursae are present in the joints like the elbow, knee, ankle, hip, shoulder, etc. It is because of these bursae that we experience smooth movement of the joints. Inflammation of bursae is called bursitis which can also lead to weak knees. Injuries or infection in knee sac leads to a painful condition known as suprapatellar bursitis. The knee sac gets filled up with extra fluid and the person experiences swelling in the knee. The person may find it difficult to perform daily activities.

Diseases and Disorders
Connective tissue disorders like lupus, iliotibial band syndrome, bone tumors and Osgood-Schlatter condition can make your knees weak. Blood circulation problems (due to diabetes or any other reason), osteoporosis (low bone density) can lead to weak knees and leg pain. Obesity is one of the main causes of weak knees. The knee joints have to bear the weight of the body. Obese or overweight people are likely to complain about weak knees. Hyperthyroidism, varicose veins problems, sciatica, dehydration, anemia, restless leg syndrome, etc. can lead to weak knees.

Other Causes
Knee surgery, or a surgery in the adjoining structures like hip, leg, can make your knees weak. Low calcium levels or electrolyte imbalance due to wrong diet can lead to weakness in knees and legs. Wear and tear can be the cause of weak knees in the elderly. Excessive weakness due to any kind of diseases like flu, typhoid, diarrhea, cancer, can lead to weak knees. Women may experience weak knees and legs during pregnancy due to excessive weight. Sometimes, women may complain about weak knees during menstruation, or after childbirth, due to overall weakness. Excessive exercise and lack of exercise (sedentary lifestyle) are the causes of weak knees in people living in this modern world. Even use of ill-fitting shoes can cause problems in knees and legs. Lack of essential nutrients, excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, caffeine, soda, excessive smoking can weaken your bones and muscles. Standing, sitting or working with a wrong posture results in knee problems.

It can be concluded that any kind of infection of the knee joint, injuries to knee or the adjoining structures, surgeries, various diseases and disorders, wrong diet, bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle can make the knees weak. I hope you have found the cause of pain in your knees in the above list of possible causes of weak knees. Restricted movement of legs can result in a number of difficulties in performing daily activities. You should sincerely take care of your knees.

Twisted Knee

During activities such as walking, running, sports practice, dance practice or if you stumble upon any object while walking, it may injure your knee and if the injury is more severe, it may cause sliding of the bone located in the knee joint. It is one of the most common leg injuries and can be cured easily if the treatment is started in time and the due care is taken. A sprain can be defined as wrenching of the ankle, whereas strain can be defined as deformation of the body under application of the force. In case of knee injuries, sprain is much severe than strain. There are certain knee related medical conditions which are caused due to sprain or strain on the knees. Acute knee injuries are categorized into twisted knee or torn ligaments, anterior cruciate ligaments, torn meniscus and knee fracture. Overuse knee injuries include knee bursitis, knee tendonitis and muscle sprain.

Twisted Knee Causes and Symptoms

In case of a knee getting twisted, the most commonly damaged ligament is ACL or anterior cruciate ligament situated in the center of the knee. Twisted knee or sprained knee occurs due to overstretching of the ligament during sports activity or injury. During the injury, you can notice a popping sound, in case of twisted knee. The most common twisted knee symptoms include, bruising, inflammation, knee pain on movement, along with stiff knee. Tenderness in the knee is also observed. Activities like walking or pressure on the leg due to movement are painful and unstable. Twisted knee is caused due to sliding of the bones in the knee joint.

To evaluate the degree of damage, a simple physical examination for knee pain diagnosis can be done. Press the knee gently to feel the pain. You can feel a little tenderness in the knee. Try to move your knee left and right and up and down. You will notice a little soreness while doing the movement. This indicates a twisted knee. Twisted knee and no swelling indicates comparatively lighter injury of grade 1 and is characterized by tenderness of the knee. If the knee appears a little hot on touching, or discolored, inflamed or bruised, along with pain on sustaining any weight, see the doctor immediately. Inflammation indicate severe damage. To alleviate the discomfort due to knee problem, apply ice pack on the knee for temporary relief. It will reduce the inflammation and twisted knee pain for some time.

Treatment for Twisted Knee

The treatment for twisted knee injury is termed as RICE, which is an acronym for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Rest includes avoiding movements which will put stress on your knee and avoiding exercises which involve running or walking and leg instruments in the gym. While walking, you could use a cane, to avoid pressure on the knee. Ice bag application helps reduce inflammation. Wrap ice bag in a fabric and apply on the twisted knee for approximately 20 minutes and repeat 7-8 times a day. Compression includes pressing the knee with an elastic bandage. Make sure that you do not compress the knee too tight, as it will obstruct the blood flow. Knee braces also work for gentle knee compression. Elevate your knee for few times a day for a few days, till the pain subsides. Follow the RICE treatment for 5-6 days. If the leg pain and inflammation still persists, the degree of damage would be severe and the doctor needs to decide the treatment and medication. If soreness alleviates within 4-5 days of RICE treatment, it's time to do some mild strengthening exercises of the tendons. Fix a weight bag to the ankle, make sure that the weight is sustainable and try to lift or raise your foot, while sitting. Repeat this knee exercise for 10 times each in the morning, noon and evening. Do the same exercise, trying to move the knee to the left and right, as well. This gentle exercise works best for tendon strengthening.

This was about twisted knee injury, its symptoms, causes and treatment. If the pain and discomfort does not alleviate within 4-5 days of the RICE treatment, rush to the doctor and start the treatment in time, else it can cause further complications. Stay fit!

Bad Knee Scrape

It is natural for us to scrape our knees when we bustle about, where the only cause for concern should be to stop the possibility of an infection. Kids too, being active outdoors and all, have the tendency to fall down on gravel laden grounds, with bloody scrapes that occur upon contact. Treating a knee scrape is no difficult task, where immediate care should be administered without leaving the wound exposed to open air for too long. The biggest mistake parents and injured parties do, is apply something alcohol based to their wounds.

I remember a similar time when my father bolted to get his perfume bottle, dousing my wound with it while I wailed even louder. Applying alcohol based liquids and sprays not only stunts the healing process midway, but destroys living cells exposed to the open. You need to use substances that are gentle to the affected area, and use the recommended antiseptic products that you will come across here. A bad knee scrape can be easily helped if acted upon soon enough; telling your kids to be careful while out playing will help avoid future injuries.

Bad Knee Scrape – How to Take Care of This

You'll find easy fix steps for an effective skinned knee treatment given below. Just be sure to attend to it immediately.

→ Step A
When you look over the scrape, first apply pressure to it, to help stop the bleeding. Use a clean paper towel, folding it in half and then across again to thicken it for absorption.

→ Step B
If there are any wood shavings or tiny pieces of gravel, remove these gently by using the paper towel to dust them off. Also make sure you sanitize your hands or run them under water and then use a soap before handling the wound. Run warm water over the wound, gently sweeping over it to remove anything that may still be embedded.

→ Step C
Use an antiseptic soap for the wound, and wash it gently using warm water to lather it up. You can use fun, printed band aids for kids, to keep them distracted from the injury. Liquid bandages will help keep the wound moist, and allow it to heal much faster. Directly apply the band aid to the wound, and make sure that the scrape is completely cut off from direct open air.

→ Step D
Wounds tend to start getting all itchy, where it is quite tempting to pick at the scab once it starts to heal. In this case, apply an antibiotic cream and wait for a day or two. You can use marigold tincture to help with the healing process, where it contains a very small amount of alcohol which will do no major damage. Be sure to have any pus formation, reddening or warm sensations around the wounded area, checked out by a doctor to rule out an infection. He / she can also prescribe some other medications to help let it heal better.

It takes about 4 - 5 days for knee scrapes to heal, which shouldn't let you worry about it further if it seems to do just fine, minus the above mentioned symptoms to look out for. Encourage kids to play with knee pads, and elbow pads as well, to protect these sensitive and injury prone areas from harm. Always keep on hand a first-aid kit and a stock full of bandages and antiseptic ointments to deal with such episodes in the future. If the pain is too much to take initially, you can always have ibuprofen, or acetaminophen, to ease the sensation.

How to Treat a Scraped Knee

Almost all of us have had a scraped knee at some point of time. Knee injuries such as this one are most rampant amongst children owing to their outdoor activities. Although, scraping a knee is a seemingly minor injury, it can be extremely painful, especially for little children. Scraped knee healing is a difficult process as you are likely to put stress on it during the healing period. It may take about 10 to 15 days for the wound to heal completely and form a scab. The scab falls off when the wound dries and may leave a scar on the skin. Here are a few tips on how to treat a scraped knee.

How to Treat a Scraped Knee

Usually, basic first aid is sufficient for treating a scraped knee. One must also take measures to protect the knee wound from infection. Here are a few steps you can take for scraped or skinned knee treatment.

Step 1: Assess the Injury
Although, we generally tend to treat knee scraping as a very minor form on injury, one must always assess the extent of injury. If the cut is deep, then you may need to get it sutured from a medical practitioner. Similarly, medical intervention is required if the knee is bleeding profusely. In this case, chances are that you might have damaged some blood vessels. Take the person to a medical facility if the bleeding does not stop within 10 minutes.

Step 2: Absorb the Blood
If the wound appears superficial, then you may proceed to treating it on your own. Take a clean paper towel or gauze pad and absorb the blood from the wound. Gently, press the area around the wound, so that blood clots do not form around it.

Step 3: Clean the Wound
This is the most crucial step of treating a scraped knee. Infections mainly stem from unclean wounds. First, take a clean cotton ball or gauze pad and soak it in clean tap water. Then, gently scrub the wound off any visible debris. Remove clinging dirt particles and other foreign bodies. However, do not scrub it harshly as you will rupture the tender blood vessels and trigger the bleeding again. Repeat the procedure 2 or 3 times with a fresh gauze pad each time.

Step 4: Disinfect the Wound
When the wound appears fairly clean, apply a liquid antiseptic solution such as Dettol, Savlon, Iodine tincture or hydrogen peroxide to it. Dab the wound with a gauze pad after the solution has dried. Apply a topical antibiotic ointment to the wound and cover it with a band-aid or hold it in place with a cotton ball and medical tape.

Step 5: Monitor the Wound
The wound will take at least a week to heal and the scab to form. During this time, it is important to prevent any pus formation and infections. Clean and dress the wound at least everyday until it dries completely. If you must, you may also leave it open on alternate days to speed up the healing process. Check if there is any fluid accumulation. If you only find clear, odorless fluid, then it is tissue fluid, required for healing. If you see sticky, yellowish pus oozing from the wound emitting a foul odor, then be assured that the wound is infected. You may then need to apply antibiotic ointments to it or seek medical help.

Scraped Knee Treatment: Home Remedies

What if you get yourself hurt while a camping trip or stranded at some location where you have no access to antiseptic lotions and ointment! In such a case, certain home remedies can help you treat your knee without the fear of infection. Firstly, clean the wound with salt water solution by wiping it with a clean wash cloth. Repeat the procedure a few times. This may sting a lot, but as salt water is natural disinfectant, your chances of getting an infection are minimized. Next, dab some turmeric powder on the wound and leave it open. Turmeric is also a natural antiseptic which prevents infection and also promotes healing. Additionally, it also prevents permanent scarring of the skin.

This was all about how to treat a scraped knee. If you are a diabetic or have some other medical illness which prolongs the healing process, then it is best to get it examined by a medical practitioner. Hope, you found this article resourceful.

Knee Popping but No Pain

We all have heard our knee joints popping at some point or the other, but have we even stopped for a second and wondered what may be causing it? I believe not, not unless we experience some form of pain along with the pop. This noise usually occurs when we bend out knees suddenly. For instance the other day, I bent down to pick up a pen which had fallen off my hand and I heard my left knee popping. Quite irritating if you ask me, after all it isn't normal and it shouldn't happen to young people. Of course it is often believed that the older you get, your tendons, ligaments and muscles tend to weaken, which may explain this strange phenomenon. None the less, why would a normal healthy person be going through the same? This article will find out what's causing knee popping but no pain.

Causes for Knee Constantly Popping

Joint Cavitation
Cavitation in the joints means that small air bubbles which form in the knee joints and in the synovial fluid. This fluid is responsible for protecting the articular cartilage of the joints from creating friction by rubbing against each other. When the two parts of the synovial joints get further apart from each other than normally permissible, the space between the two expands. This space cannot be covered by the limited quantity of synovial fluid already present in the joints.

This results in the carbon dioxide (CO2) being released from the synovial fluid, which goes on to occupy the empty space and thus causes air bubbles. It is these bubbles which make the popping sound when ever we bend our knees suddenly.

Patella Imbalance
The patella is also known as the knee cap. It's main function is to protect the underlying knee tissues from injury and infection. Also sometimes, dehydration, too little exercise to too much of it can weaken the patellas and other parts of the knee. The knee cap may get pulled to one side due to sudden and unexpected leg movement.

For instance when we lose balance and fall down on our knee, the patella may get displaced slightly. While this displacement usually causes a lot of pain, many a times the shift is very minor and may result in air getting trapped in the free space in the knee. This will thus cause popping sounds when you use your knee.

Strenuous Workouts
Many athletes have complained of their knee joints popping. The reason could be an imbalance in the fluids within the knees, because the space between the surfaces of the bones, cartilages and ligaments is constantly being exerted and stretched. Therefore there is more and more vacuum being created and more air bubbles being formed. In this case more blood circulation will be needed so as to strengthen the leg muscles.

If the legs are strong, they will absorb some of the excess pressure while exercising. Since the fluid is less and the gases are more in the knee, slight circular massages and warm oil therapy will help lubricate the tissues. This will reduce the friction and the air bubbles. As long as there is no pain along with the sound cracking, this condition poses no threat and should not be a cause of concern.

Weight Issues
A fact undisputed, is that if you are overweight, your entire body mass is held up by your lower body, which is inclusive of your knees. So if this is the case, may be the clicking knee sound is somewhat like your knees complaining aloud that you need to lose some weight. You may try shedding some of the body weight through simple and less strenuous exercises. Eating healthy and drastically cutting down on fatty foods, will make the job faster and safer. For those who have been trying to lose weight and have been hearing their knee pop, they must see to it that they keep their body well aligned.

Do not apply excessive pressure on your knee tendons, as they will become weaker and more abused, as compared to the other parts of the body. Try wearing sports shoes which have excellent soles and support, so that there is a cushion which absorbs some of the pressure while exercising.

Knee Popping with Pain

As I mentioned before, as long as there is no pain, you'll be alright. However there are many people who have been suffering from slight or acute pain and knee popping sound when walking or while climbing up the stairs. If you too have felt the same, you need to get your knees checked as soon as possible. The reason being that, there is definitely something not right and which needs looking after. Following are some of the reasons for this condition:

    * Chondromalacia Patella
    * Damaged cartilage
    * Inflammation in ligament or tendon
    * Arthritis
    * Osteoporosis

You still do not need to worry, as this condition can be easily rectified through proper treatment. This can happen to people of all age groups starting from young adults as old as 15 and above. Among youngsters the reasons can be because of over exerting the knees during games, cycling and workout. It could also be due to injuries or sprains in the knee.

Among older people, calcium deficiency can lead to osteoporosis which eventually causes the bones to become rather porous. This results in more air bubbles getting trapped in the joints. Hopefully now you know, why there is knee popping but no pain in your case and what all may be causing the pain if any.

Knee Pain Exercises Especially for Women

A young lady in a baseball uniform recently came to see me in the emergency room. She had pain in her knees that had been increasing over the last few weeks. It had gotten to the point that she was actually limping. What to do?

A brief exam and a couple of x-rays later and we knew what the problem was. There was inflammation of the joint between the knee cap (patella) and the knee (distal femur).

Many women suffer from the same ailment. The reason is that because of the wider pelvis that women have, the muscles of the thigh tend to pull the knee cap off to the side. The result is that it gets increasingly inflamed and painful.

The pain from this type of problem is normally just in the front of the knee. It will be painful to straighten out your leg when you are sitting. It will be tender on the side of the knee cap.

If you have this problem, the good news is that normally you can completely relieve your pain with a few simple exercises.

The goal of these exercises is to strengthen the mucles of the front of the thigh (quadriceps muscle) that will pull the knee cap straight.

To strenghten the quadriceps, simply lie down on your bed and do straight leg raises. Don't bend the knee. It is already inflamed and you don't need to make that worse. Just repeatedly raise your leg. This will strengthen the quadriceps.

If you get a bit tired from doing this ten times, just keep doing it. But, if you are in pretty good shape already and this does not make you tired at all, it is time to step things up a bit.

When you are ready, the next step is to do the same exercise with weights. To do this just get an old purse and put a can of food in it and repeat the straight leg raises. Pretty easy eh? As you get stronger, gradually increase the weight in the old purse.

During this time, if you can take them, a good anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen will help get rid of the inflammation and aleviate the pain you are having in your knee.

However, by doing these exercises regularly, you should not need to use the medication for more than a few days.