Sprains and Strains
MCL Injuries
The medial collateral ligament (MCL) reinforces the medial knee joint. MCL sprains cause pain and tenderness along the inner knee with medial joint swelling. Minor MCL sprains may heal with RICE and bracing. Moderate sprains recover better if the knee is immobilized for 1-2 weeks. Severe MCL tears and avulsions require surgical repair and a prolonged rehab.
Patellar Tendinitis
Also called “jumper’s knee,” patellar tendinitis causes pain below the kneecap in the patellar tendon that connects to the shin bone. Pain worsens with jumping, squatting, or stair climbing. It results from overuse – frequent running and jumping sports may exacerbate it. Rest, ice, taping, compression sleeves, and working on muscular imbalances helps recovery.
Arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory autoimmune condition causing diffuse knee pain and swelling, with joint stiffness after rest. Symptoms are usually similar in both knees. Deformities can eventually occur without treatment. Medications like DMARDs and biologics slow progression. Surgery may help in severe cases unresponsive to other treatments.
Osteoarthritis
In knee osteoarthritis, the main symptoms are pain within the joint that worsens with use but improves with rest, crepitus/crunching sounds with knee movement, and bony enlargements around the joint. X-rays show narrowing of the space between the bones. Cartilage breakdown causes bone-on-bone friction and grinding.
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