Knee Conditions

Anatomy of the Knee

The knee is one of the most complex and largest joints in the body. As a hinge joint, the knee facilitates flexion and extension of the leg, as well as weight-bearing and motion. The knee consists of bones, cartilage, and an extensive network of ligaments and muscles. Three bones make up the knee joint, namely the femur (thighbone), the tibia (shinbone), and the patella (kneecap).

Due to the high level of stress that the knee bears from day-to-day activities, it is susceptible to injury. A number of factors lead to knee conditions, including ageing, injury and disease.

Common Types of Knee Conditions and Symptoms

Common types of knee conditions include:

• Ligament Injury – Knee ligament injuries in Singapore can occur as a result of trauma such as car accidents or sports injuries. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are the most commonly injured knee ligaments due to overextension or torn tissues that contribute to knee pain when running or twisting the legs. A knee ligament tear may result in a popping sound in the knee, pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint.

• Meniscus Injury – An injury to the meniscus occurs when one of the menisci in the knee is torn. Athletes involved in contact sports are at risk of a meniscus tear due to sudden twisting or turning of the legs while bending their knees. Injuries to the meniscus can be characterized by a popping sensation, pain, swelling, and the inability to bend or straighten the leg.

• Cartilage Injury – A cartilage injury can be caused by a forceful impact on the joints such as sudden twisting, excessive wear and tear, or poor alignment of the knee joints. An injury to the cartilage may result in a locking, cracking, or popping sensation when bending, pain and tenderness, and limited mobility.

• Patellar Instability – Patellar instability refers to the movement of the patella (kneecap) outside the groove at the end of the femur (thighbone). Instability of the patella is characterized by knee pain when running, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking, in addition to the appearance of a noticeable deformity.

• Tendinopathies & Fractures – The term "tendinopathy" is used by knee doctors in Singapore to describe a variety of tendon conditions. Painful joint movement, crackling or grating sensations, swelling, and redness of the skin are common symptoms of tendinopathies. Meanwhile, kneecap (patella) fractures are breaks in the kneecap caused by a fall that directly strikes the knees. Knee fractures may present with symptoms such as pain, swelling, tenderness, numbness, immobility, deformity, or instability of the knee.

Treatments of Knee Conditions

Knee joint pain treatments vary based on the type and severity of the knee condition. Some knee injury treatments in Singapore include:

• RICE Method – For mild to moderate cases, resting for a few days, icing affected areas, compressing with an elastic bandage and elevating when sitting or lying down may be an effective (if not initial) knee joint pain treatment in Singapore.

• Medications – Swollen knee treatments in Singapore, among other knee conditions treated, include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, which must be prescribed by a knee doctor.

• Injections – Knee pain treatment involves injecting medications such as corticosteroids and lubricants directly into the knee joint to alleviate inflammation and pain.

• Physiotherapy – Physiotherapy is an important part of the treatment and recovery process for all knee conditions, including twisted knee treatment in Singapore, as it helps restore strength and flexibility to the injured area.

• Total and Partial Knee Replacement – A Singapore knee surgeon may recommend surgery such as total or partial knee replacement as a form of knee injury treatment for serious cases. With a partial knee replacement, a knee surgeon replaces only the most damaged part of the knee with plastic and metal components. Meanwhile, a total knee cap replacement in Singapore replaces the damaged bones and cartilage on the kneecap with artificial joints that are made from metal alloys or high-grade plastic.

• Robotic Surgery – With the help of advanced knee replacement technology, knee doctors in Singapore are able to perform knee surgery with the assistance of a robotic surgical system, which is significantly more precise.

The International Orthopaedic Clinic provides comprehensive orthopaedic care and effective knee pain treatment in Singapore to help patients regain normal function of their knees and improve their quality of life.