Knee Arthiritis

Anatomy

The knee joint is the junction between the femur (thigh) bone and the tibia (shin bone). The end of the femur is referred to as the distal femur and the top of the tibia is referred to as the proximal tibia or tibial plateau.  The kneecap is referred to as the patella. The knee is said to have three compartments – medial (inside), lateral (outside), and patellofemoral (directly behind the patella).  Articular cartilage covers the end of the femur, top of the tibia, and behind the patella and allow the bone to glide easily with one another. 

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition in which the articular cartilage is damaged causing it to thin and wear away. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Risk factors of osteoarthritis include older age, trauma, genetic or developmental conditions, or family history of osteoarthritis.  Arthritis can be a result of avascular necrosis (AVN) or inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms of Hip Arthritis

• Sudden “pop” at the time of injury.

• Immediate swelling and pain in the knee.

• Instability or buckling of the knee.

• Difficulty walking.

• Stiffness of the knee.

Diagnosing an ACL Tear

A thorough patient history and physical exam can help to identify patients with a suspected ACL tear. X-ray images and MRI are useful diagnostic tools to help rule out other injuries and to confirm the diagnosis. 

Treatment for ACL Tears

• Activity modifications and brace.
• Anti-inflammatory medications.
• Physical therapy.

• For patients wishing to return to high-risk sports or active lifestyle, ACL reconstruction is recommended.