Knee Injury Facts: All You Need to Know

A knee injury can be something serious or nothing to worry about. The only issue is knowing the difference. Since your knee is a shock absorber and also aids in supporting your body weight, it is critical for you to know when to go to our emergency room in Baytown.

Definition of a Knee Injury  

The knee is a hinge joint that causes your leg to bend back and straighten, so as you can walk. The knee also allows some small amount of rotation. It is a joint that is vulnerable to repetition and traumatic injuries.

Knee injuries are usually defined by the mechanism which they affect and the affected anatomy. Here are the different types of knee injuries:

  • Knee sprains: These are injuries that affect the ligaments that hold your knee
  • Knee strains: These occur when muscles or tendons that surround the knee get stretched
  • Knee bursitis: This occurs when the bursa (fluid-filled pouch) gets irritated
  • Meniscus tears: Occurs when there is damage in the inside of your knee
  • Knee fractures: Caused by direct hits to the knee
  • Overuse injuries
  • Knee joint dislocation

Knee Injury Symptoms and Signs 

The symptoms and signs are usually related to the type of injury. However, here are the main symptoms of knee injuries:

  • Heat
  • Knee pain
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Redness
  • Difficulty bending the knee
  • Popping or clicking sounds
  • Problems weight-bearing

If you experience acute pain, rush to our 24-hour emergency clinic so as our doctor can treat it.

How Do Emergency Room Physicians Diagnose a Knee Injury?

When you get to our ER in Baytown, TX, our physician will take a physical examination and check your history. Depending on the injury, our doctor will also perform specific tests that involve bending your knee and rotating it. 

These tests are designed to test your knee’s stability and isolate the injured part of the knee.

At times, an MRI or X-Ray will be used to check the condition of the knee.

What Is the Recovery Time for a Knee Injury?         

The recovery time is dependent on the severity and type of injury. If your injury is severe enough for you to need surgery and physical therapy, then your recovery will be longer.

Simple sprains and strains can last for two weeks. If the injury is extensive that it needs arthroscopic surgery, it may take three months to heal.

At times, traumatic injuries can take up to a year for the knee to heal. Physical therapy is usually used to help speed up your recovery.

Knee injuries can be treated if caught early. Call our ER near you, and our physician at Altus Emergency in Baytown will help you get better. 


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