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When jogging, sitting or recovering after a hike: knee pain and knee problems can occur at any time and at any age. There can be many different reasons and symptoms for this pain and problems.
The medical specialty of knee surgery as part of orthopaedics specialises in all of these conditions. The knee specialists at our clinics treat knee problems of all kinds.
Common causes include injuries such as cruciate ligament ruptures, meniscus injuries, osteoarthritis and inflammations such as arthritis.
Symptoms: pain, swelling, stiffness, crunching, instability and restricted movement.
Diagnosis: Physical examination, imaging (X-ray, MRI) or arthroscopy to inspect the joint directly.
Treatment options: Conservative measures such as physiotherapy and surgical procedures such as knee arthroscopy or knee prostheses.
The knee joint is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. It connects the femur to the tibia and enables us to walk, sprint and stand. Due to this complexity, it requires specialists in knee surgery who are familiar with every last detail of the knee and have many years of experience.
Legend:
Knee joint viewed from the front: Femur, Extensor tendon, Kneecap, Outer ligament (lateral ligament), Kneecap vision, Fibula, Shinbone, Inner ligament (collateral ligament), Meniscus
The most common troubles and symptoms of knee pain include the following symptoms, which can vary in severity and frequency:
Pain: The pain can vary in intensity, from mild discomfort to severe, stabbing pain.
Swelling and redness: Swelling and discolouration of the knee can be caused by inflammation, fluid accumulation or injury.
Stiffness: Stiffness in the joint that restricts mobility and makes stretching and bending difficult.
Crunching or rubbing: Crunching or rubbing when moving can indicate problems in the cartilage or menisci.
Instability: A feeling of instability and decreasing strength that leads to wobbly knees.
Further information on diagnosis, therapy and treatment options:
An active lifestyle and varied sport can be crucial for maintaining flexible and healthy joints. You can benefit from the experience of experts at one of our national sports centres or check your state of health with our sports check-ups.
In our clinics, we offer you a wide range of therapy and treatment options, from conservative, pain-relieving therapies to surgical interventions.
Our main goal is that you can quickly return to your normal everyday life after an operation or treatment, therefore we offer a wide range of rehabilitation options and medical follow-up checks at Swiss Medical Network.
Knee problems can have many causes. Common causes include injuries, excessive or incorrect strain on the joint, or weak muscles in the knee.
Pain or injuries that lead to knee surgery often affect the cartilage, menisci or ligaments. However, injuries are not just the result of hard physical work or sports. Sudden stopping movements and a combination of flexion and twisting of the knee can also lead to injuries, such as:
In active people, overexertion of the ligaments and tendons, as well as bursitis, can often cause problems with the knee. Meniscus injuries and damage to the cruciate ligament or cartilage also cause knee problems. In older adults, most knee problems are caused by symptoms of wear, such as osteoarthritis of the knee.
At first glance, exercise may seem to be a risk factor for knee injuries and knee pain. However, regular exercise trains the muscles around the knee and stabilises the joint.
There are also various sports that are especially gentle on the joint. These includes classic cross-country skiing, swimming, cycling or fitness training on certain gym equipment. A healthy and varied diet also contributes significantly to the prevention of knee problems.
The condition known as jumper’s knee occurs when the ligaments are overexerted due to repeated jumping movements or sudden changes in direction. This overexertion can lead to minor injuries to the tendons on the lower edge of the kneecap. New connective tissue forms there and the nerves and blood vessels cause exertion-induced pain.
Runner’s knee is most common in long-distance runners. The pain that occurs on the outside of the knee is caused by tendon problems. The group of tendons that start at the pelvis and extend along the side of the thigh to the tibial plateau repeatedly rub against the knee joint during movement. This strains the tissue and leads to inflammation.
First of all, the knee problem must be thoroughly investigated. Depending on the cause, it may be possible to achieve good results with conservative measures (e.g. medication or physiotherapy). If the symptoms are so severe that there is persistent pain and the patient’s quality of life is compromised, then surgery should be considered.
If your quality of life is restricted or your everyday life is full of pain and uncertainty, a knee prosthesis can help. An artificial knee joint can provide freedom from pain and restored mobility. The lifespan of an artificial joint is usually 10 to 15 years. There are various factors that can limit the lifespan of an artificial joint, such as: obesity, activity, increased osteoporosis, infections, allergies, joint instability and accidents.
