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.

How to maintain strength when wearing a knee brace