With a growing interest in recreational activities, knee injuries are now more frequently encountered in the general population than ever before. Typically, such injuries were more common in young professional athletes like football players or skiers and could end their professional careers.
Knee sports injuries can occur after a trauma (such as falling during skiing) or from repetitive overuse (such as long-distance runners). Knee disability can also be caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. But to understand knee injuries, we must look closely at the structure of the knee.
The joint is made of 3 articular compartments between 3 different bones: the femur, the tibia and the kneecap or patella. This joint allows most movements such as bending the knee and rotation, which occurs rapidly during intensive sports. Arthritis either means inflammation or wear in the joint.
When an injury or prolonged wear occurs, it usually entails torn, worn out or damaged cartilage, ruptured ligaments, tendon inflammations or ligaments sprains. Symptoms include mild discomfort, which eventually leads to severe disabling pain. Immediate or prolonged knee swelling, disabling pain, deformity and knee locking (inability to extend the knee) are usually a cause for concern and the patient should seek immediate orthopedic opinion.
A surgeon will start treating knees with noting patient history, a detailed knee examination, and X-rays. Depending on the results, the physician may ask for an MRI.
Treatment can be as simple as pain medication, physical rehabilitation, knee braces and rest, or as invasive as surgery or injections. The use of minimal invasive arthroscopic surgery by experienced surgeons is also ideal, reducing pain, risk of infection, hospital stay and leading to a faster recovery. Plasma injections are also a recent enhancement that promotes faster healing.
Whether it is sports injuries, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis, Alfardan Medical with Northwestern Medicine has qualified Physicians, advanced Diagnostic Technology, high-tech MRI, X-ray and CT scan, as well as a fully equipped and high-tech surgery center, to ensure the best possible outcome of knee surgeries.
Post-surgery, patients can benefit from a Clinical Diet Plan and highly trained Physiotherapists to cope with the treatment and aid healing, while strengthening the muscles, nerves, joints, ligaments and bones.
AMNM has a customized and patient-centric approach, dealing with each patient with the utmost care. Our medical facility is private and extremely discrete, therefore, comfortable for patients.
Our surgeon, Dr. Eid, is French trained at one of the most prestigious universities, and has extensive experience in managing and operating sports injuries, trauma patients, and lower limb arthroplasties. He has an impressive background of treating over 100 officers, soldiers, and young athletes.
Whether an athlete or not, knee surgery requires the utmost care and attention. Better understanding of the body and technological advances have changed the prognosis of a knee injury and offered many treatment options that one must take advantage of to avoid long term consequences and discomfort.
