Sports Medicine in New Jersey: Knee Pain & Injuries

The knee is a hinge joint formed by the femur and the tibia, and is the largest joint in the human body. The knees carry the bulk of a person's weight, and thus are commonly injured during high-stress activities. The joint formed by the femur and tibia is covered by the patella, or kneecap, which helps protect the knee from traumatic force. Ligaments attach to the bones and help stabilize the joint, as well as limit its extension and rotational ability. These ligaments support the knee joint, and also help prevent against overextension.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

The anterior cruciate ligament, more commonly known as the ACL, is one of the four major ligaments that attaches to the knee. The ACL limits the knee’s rotational movement, which helps ensure that the joint is not extended beyond its natural range of motion. The ACL connects the femur to the tibia, and is vital to the stability of the knee during contact sports and those that require stop and start mobility.

ACL Tears

If the ligament is stretched beyond its means, it may tear and cause significant pain and dysfunction. This is a very common sports injury, and usually occurs when athletes suddenly stop or change direction laterally, such as a poorly executed pivot motion in basketball, or a tackle in football. The result of a torn ACL is a “popping” sound in the knee, the sensation that the knee has given out from underneath the patient, and significant pain and inflammation of the knee joint.

Learn more about ACL Repair Surgery »

Torn Meniscus

The meniscus is a C-shaped cartilaginous disc that distributes body weight evenly within the knee. There are two menisci present in both knees: the lateral meniscus and the medial meniscus. Both of the cartilaginous bodies lie between the femur and the shinbone, and act as shock absorbers during mobility.

Meniscal tears are commonly sustained though athletic activity; however, meniscal tears can also be the result of degeneration of the tissue over time. Common symptoms of a meniscus tear include: knee pain, inflammation in the knee joint, stiffness, “popping?” or “clicking” within the knee, and limited range of motion.

Imaging tests, such as X-ray and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), are commonly utilized to diagnose meniscal tears. While the treatment methods vary from patient to patient depending on the unique case and severity of the tear, arthroscopic knee surgery is the most commonly utilized method for repairing or removing the damaged meniscal body.

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