Kneecap and Meniscus Injury
The Kneecap, medically known as Patella, is the convex bone that protects the front of the knee joint. This hard bone is connected with ligaments to the muscles above and below the knee. In order to increase the leg movement, the kneecap serves as a liver to the leg muscles.
The meniscus is a C-shaped piece made of tough cartilage (a type of bodily liquid) in a joint. There are two meniscus in a knee joint- (a) Lateral meniscus and (b) Medical meniscus. Lateral meniscus is located in the outer side the knee and Medical meniscus is located inside the knee. These act as shock absorbers, lubricate and cushion the knee joint, and therefore reducing friction during movement. It also keeps your knee steady by balancing your weight across the knee.
Kneecap Injury and Meniscus Injury
It is common for sportspersons to dislocate their kneecap or tear the meniscus. The kneecap may be dislocated at a sudden incorrect movement while playing or exercising sports. A direct blow to the knee like a fall could also cause a kneecap injury. Kneecap injury is found more in women than in men; but defective thigh bones and weak leg muscles are also major reasons for kneecap injuries. This injury, once materialized, keeps propping its head regularly. This may cause chronic knee pain in a long run.
Meniscus gets torn when it is over-extended, suddenly pivoted, cut, or decelerated. For example - turning while rising from a squatting position. It can occur even when you lift something heavy. Even otherwise when one gets older the meniscus gets worn and easily tears.
Symptoms of Kneecap Injury
- Kneecap becomes lose and mobile
- One will feel pain and tenderness, especially inside the joint
- One can feel the lateral displacement of the kneecap
- Considerable swelling immediately after the injury
Symptoms of Meniscus Injury
- One will feel as if something has popped from the knee
- Space between the knee bones will also be felt
- Extreme knee pain which gets worse when force is applied
- Recurrent knee-catching
- The joints feel locked
- Stiffness and Swelling
- Collection of Fluids
At times a minuscule of the meniscus may loosen and move towards the joint and case a pop or a lock. In that case the knee will get stuck at a 45 degree angle till it is manually moved into its right place. Therefore consult a doctor immediately if you think you’ve injured the meniscus.
Detection of Kneecap Injury and Meniscus Injury
A dislocated kneecap will be easily visible as the ‘bony knob’ that lies in front of the knee moves to the outer side of the joint. In case of a Meniscus injury the doctor would try to move your leg at the knee and check what is the level of difficulty and pain while movement. These will be confirmed by an X-Ray and an examination to detect the presence of fluid in the joint. In severe cases advanced test involving insertion of a medical equipment into the joint (Arthroscopy) is also conducted.
Treatment/First Aid for a Dislocated Kneecap and Meniscus Injury
- Do not try to forcefully straighten or bend your leg if you suspect a kneecap or a meniscus injury.
- Put the knee in a comfortable position with support. Possibly in a raised position.
- Relax the knee by placing ice on it. This will relieve you of pain. For temporary relief aspirin or ibuprofen would work as painkillers.
- Rush to the doctor and seek medical examination.
- While undergoing treatment, be sure to inform your doctor if there is increasing pain, weakness, swelling or instability even after a week’s treatment.
- After the treatment you will have to wear an immobilizer for six weeks to refrain the leg from bending. In case of Meniscus injury crutches might be prescribed to help your knee heal. After this, approach a Physiotherapist who will help you restore the knee to health.
- Surgery might be required only in severe cases like damaged tissues or pieces of bone in the knee joint.
Prevent Kneecap Injury or Meniscus Injury
- Warm up perfectly before starting the practice sessions
- Do considerable stretch exercise to make the movement of the knee easy
- Wear proper kneepads or knee protection accessories while practicing
- Always stick to the proper technique of the exercise
- Wear properly cushioned sportswear and sports foot wear
- Chose an appropriate surface to practice
Kneecap injury usually heals completely but if it is not properly treated the pain might be recurring and may cause a chronic pain in a longer run. Severe meniscus tear might take as long as a year to heal. And it leaves a weakened joint permanently. This state have to be improved with physiotherapy but still complete healing is doubtful.