Category: Knee
What is arthroscopy?
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. It allows orthopedic surgeons to look inside the body. Providers can diagnose and repair injuries to the joints or the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the body.
During the surgery, the surgeon makes a series of button-hole-sized incisions near the injured or diseased area. Then the surgeon inserts a thin tube holding a micro-camera into each incision. As the surgeon guides the camera through the affected area, the camera projects video images onto a monitor.
Arthroscopy allows the surgeon to see what’s happening inside the body without major surgery.
What are the benefits of arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery allows […]
What causes crackling or popping noises in the knee?
Snap, crackle, and pop! It makes a catchy slogan for a breakfast cereal. But when you hear those noises in your knee, they are a cause for concern, especially when accompanied by pain.
Some people hear sounds like crackling tissue paper when they bend or straighten their knees.
Known as crepitus, the noise occurs when air bubbles are trapped in the synovial lining of the joint. It is usually harmless. But, when the crackling sounds combine with pain, the symptoms may point to a serious condition, like arthritis.
At other times, snapping sensations, cracking, and popping are symptoms of the conditions below.
Ligament injuries.
Your ligaments are tough bands […]
What is an IT band injury?
Iliotibial band or IT band syndrome often is classified as an overuse injury.
The IT band is the long, flexible, fibrous tendon that runs down the outside of the leg from the hip to below the knee joint.
When the IT band becomes inflamed or irritated, it swells and no longer moves freely. The swollen tendon restricts movement or “catches” on the bones of the joint, causing pain and stiffness.
What is bursitis?
Bursitis occurs when the bursa, a synovial-fluid-filled sac is inflamed. Though slippery and tiny, the bursa has a big job. It acts as a cushion and allows the bones, tendons, ligaments, and muscles to work together without friction. When these tiny water-balloon-like sacs become inflamed and swell, movement is painful.
What causes bursitis?
Many cases of bursitis in the joints result from repeated movement of the joint. It is a type of overuse injury.
But overuse injury is only one cause of bursitis.
Age, arthritis, gout, injury, or surgery are other factors. Being overweight also applies more pressure to the bursa.
Bursitis can occur in any joint, tendon, or […]
What is a meniscus tear?
The meniscus is a small horseshoe-shaped rubbery pad of fibrocartilage and collagen. These pads inside the knee absorb the impact of motion. Each knee has two of these miniature shock absorbers: the lateral and medial meniscus. Injury to these protective pads results in a meniscus tear.
How do meniscus tears happen?
Athletic training or competition can exert a tremendous force on the menisci. Running, jumping, squatting, or twisting motions can intensify this pressure. During these high-pressure or fast-paced activities, sections of the menisci can tear or move out of place.
But anyone can tear their meniscus. People who dance, play tennis, snowshoe, or ski are […]
Can I hike after knee replacement surgery?
Most people can get back to the activities they enjoy after knee replacement surgery, including hiking.
But before we delve into the specifics, let’s review a few general facts about your knees.
Your knee joint is one of the largest joints in your body. It’s capable of bearing your entire weight as it bends and flexes. Your knee’s greatest strength also makes it very susceptible to injury.
Total or partial knee replacement surgery is an alternative for people who experience pain and stiffness in their knee joints due to wear and tear, age, injury, or arthritis.
What is a […]
Do your joints need an oil change?
Your body needs healthy levels of good fats to work properly – and healthy oils in your diet are the best source.
Healthy oils help your brain, nerves, and your major organs. Good fats also help your body absorb necessary fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D, to help build strong bones.
The challenge is to figure out which types of oils are good for you and which ones might cause more harm.
So, which oil is best for your bones and joints?
The best oil for your joints, bones, and muscles is a minimally processed oil, lower in […]
Would an ergonomic assessment help you enjoy less stress while working from home?
Have you noticed a pain in your neck, back, shoulders, knees, or hands since the pandemic started?
It may be your workspace:
- A low chair strains your knees.
- A poorly positioned monitor leads to neck pain.
- The wrong seat height or chair pitch can create painful back conditions.
- Incorrect keyboard placement causes pressure and pain in the wrist.
Sitting for hours with your body in the wrong position plus the stresses and strains of working from home, and you have a recipe for tight muscles and pain.
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment to work with the […]
Walking may be the key to avoiding osteoarthritis in your knees
You’ve heard that walking 10,000 steps is the best thing you can do for your health. But when you have sore knees, walking five miles may seem impossible.
The good news is that as few as 1,000 steps every day helps maintain mobility in your knees.
According to a study of 1,788 people with an average age of 67 years and a body mass index considered obese, walking just 1,000 steps each day made a difference. The daily exercise lowered the risk of loss of mobility by 16 to 18 percent——even when they were at risk of […]
What is runners knee?
Runner’s knee is a common overuse injury among runners and other people who put a lot of pressure on their knees when biking, jumping, skiing or dancing.
The condition causes the kneecap (patella) to move out of place. While it is in the misaligned position, it irritates the femoral groove and wears away the cartilage beneath the patella, causing knee pain.
Runner’s knee can be caused by:
- Falling on your knee and moving the patella out of the groove
- Overuse and repetitive bending and flexing the knee
- A kneecap that is out of alignment
- Wearing down the cartilage […]
