Knee Pain and Conditions
Lower limb injuries account for the majority of orthopedic injuries. Within this lower limb category, injury of the knee is the most common lower leg injury. Ligament injuries in the knee can happen to anyone. Especially before and immediately after surgery, the knee can be immobilized with a knee brace in order to control range of motion, pain and reduce swelling. medi® offers a large range of specialist knee braces and knee supports.
Meniscus injury
The menisci lie on the inside and outside of the knee joint and serve as “shock absorbers” between the thigh and the lower leg.
Causes
Meniscus injuries are typical knee injuries in a number of sports, they are particularly common, for instance, in football players.
However, half of all meniscus injuries are caused by permanent stresses and strains, usually in occupations that involve kneeling.
The turning movements of the body, with the foot held still and the knee joint flexed, crushes the meniscus, causing it to tear or even be torn away from the bone (often the inner meniscus). Ligament injuries in the knee joint are often also combined with meniscus tears because the traumatic events for meniscus and ligament injuries in the knee are similar.
Quick operation, quick healing
First aid for a meniscus injury consists of cooling the joint and supporting the knee with elastic supports if necessary.
Surgery soon after a meniscus tear gives the best results. Arthroscopic knee operations are seen as the method of choice these days.
The doctor can both examine and immediately operate on the joint through a “keyhole” in the knee. If necessary, the separated parts of the meniscus can be removed; in the case of longitudinal tears, refixation is often successful.
No sporting activities should be pursued for at least one week after the operation.
But after that it is possible to start using the joint again. The patient is free to play all sports once there is no longer any pain and the function of the muscles over the front of the thigh and the range of joint movement are satisfactory, which should be accomplished after about six to eight weeks.
Although special rehabilitation measures are not absolutely necessary, treatment always includes exercises for strengthening and loosening the muscles (in particular, the muscles over the front of the thigh).
Orthoses give the knee joint additional stability after the operation and promote proprioception and the healing process.
Bend the ankle joint Stretch the ankle joint
- 15 repetitions of 3 cycles each
- 30-second break after each cycle
Please note:
- Perform the movements slowly
- Tense your thigh muscles
- This exercise can be done with both legs to prevent thrombosis
- 10 repetitions of 3 cycles each
- 30-second break after each cycle
Please note:
- Lift your straight leg up about 20 inches
- Perform the movements slowly
- Pull your toes up towards you
- 15 repetitions of 3 cycles each
- 30-second break after each cycle
Please note:
- Keep your body upright
- Actively pull your toes upwards
- Perform the movements slowly
- 15 repetitions of 3 cycles each
- 30-second break after each cycle
Please note:
- The injured leg is on top
- Keep the stretched leg in line with your body
- Perform the movements slowly
- Pull your toes up towards you
- 15 repetitions of 3 cycles each
- 30-second break after each cycle
Please note:
- Keep your body upright
- Actively pull your toes upwards
- Perform the movements slowly
Please note:
- Move the kneecap to the left and right as well as up and down
- Perform the movements slowly
- Relax your thigh muscles
- Do each exercise for about one minute
- The exercise can be done several times a day
Support yourself on your arms when standing up. After longer periods of sitting(e.g. car rides, movie-watching, concert-attending, etc.), you should move your knee joint around a few times before standing up.
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