Knee Conditions
Knee Osteoarthritis
This is a condition that occurs when the smooth lining of the knee becomes worn, leading to pain, swelling and sometimes deformity. It is very common, but more common in females, people who are overweight, those that have had previous knee injuries, and is more common in older people. There is no cure, but the condition can often initially be managed with non-surgical treatments such as pain killers, weight loss, and physiotherapy. When these are no longer enough then a knee replacement is a very effective treatment.
ACL Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the major stabilizing ligaments of the knee. It is located in the middle of the knee and is involved in preventing the shin bone (tibia) from moving forwards and rotating on the thigh bone (femur). When it ruptures it never heals, although some people can live normal lives without an ACL, others suffer from an unstable knee and require reconstructive surgery.
Unstable Kneecaps
The patella (kneecap) is a bone at the front of the knee that is connected to the thigh muscle by the quadriceps tendon and to the shin bone (tibia) by the patellar tendon. It forms a joint with the thigh bone (femur) called the patellofemoral joint. In some people the patella can dislocate out of its groove, causing pain and swelling. After a single dislocation, the chances of dislocating again are around 15%, but this rises to over 50% after a second dislocation. Surgical treatment is then usually recommended.
Meniscal Injuries
The menisci are two C-shaped pieces of cartilage, one on either side of each knee. They act to distribute weight and absorb shocks to the knee. When they get torn they can cause pain, swelling, giving way and/or locking of the knee. Most meniscal injuries do not need surgery.
Location:
Armidale Specialist Centre,
218 Rusden St,
Armidale NSW 2350
FAX: (02) 6771 2645
