Knee Conditions

The knee connects the upper leg bone to the lower leg bone. Cartilage covers the ends of both leg bones and the underside of the patella, or knee cap. When these surfaces are smooth, the joint glides easily and without pain.

The ACL is an elastic band of tissue in the knee that helps hold the joint together. An ACL tear is a common injury that can occur when the knee is twisted or hyperextended. For reasons that are not fully understood, ACL tears are much more common in women than in men.

This condition occurs when a bone’s normal blood supply is disrupted. The affected bone cells die, and the dead bone weakens and may begin to fracture and collapse, leading to arthritis. It most commonly affects women over the age of 60.

This chronic condition, also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy, is an unexplained feeling of pain and discomfort that most commonly affects an arm, leg, hand or foot. Often, it begins in the hand or foot and then spreads to affect the entire limb.

This condition is a blood clot that forms in a vein deep inside the body, most commonly in the lower leg or thigh. This type of clot is dangerous, because it can travel through the bloodstream and into one of the pulmonary arteries that supply blood to the lungs. A blockage of a pulmonary artery is a very serious condition called a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

This condition is an inflammation of  the pes anserine bursa, a fluid-filled sac between the tibia and the tendons of the hamstring muscle on the inner side of the knee. It can cause pain and restrict motion of the knee.

This condition is a painful inflammation of the iliotibial band, a thick, tendon-like portion of a muscle that travels from the hip down the outer side of the thigh to the knee. ITBS results in pain, aggravated by activity, that is usually felt on the outer side of the knee.

This condition is an inflammation of the prepatellar bursa, a fluid-filled sac that lies on the front of the kneecap. This condition causes pain and swelling at the front of the knee. The bursa may also become infected.

The meniscus is comprised of two c-shaped wedges of cartilage that cushion and stabilize the knee joint. A torn meniscus can cause pain and limited mobility in the knee.

This overuse injury is an inflammation that occurs at the point where the patellar tendon attaches to the tibia. It most commonly affects adolescents. One or both knees may be affected.

Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is a gradual breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue that protects the ends of bones in the joints. Osteoarthritis is common in the knees because the knees bear the weight of the body. Osteoarthritis of the knee can severely impact a person’s lifestyle.

This condition occurs when a portion of bone or its overlying articular cartilage is cut off from the blood supply, creating a “dead” area of bone and cartilage. Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee usually affects the condyle of the femur, and may occur after injury or trauma to the knee, or from repeated stress of competitive sports.

This condition is an inflammation of the tendon that connects the patella (the kneecap) to the tibia in the knee joint. This tendon is part of the structure of muscles and tendons in the knee that allows the knee to straighten from being bent.

The patella (kneecap) is held in place by the quadriceps and patellar tendons. Ligaments on either side also help stabilize the patella. Patellar tracking disorder is a painful condition caused by a problem with the bones, muscles or ligaments around the patella.

This condition is an irritation of the cartilage on the back of the patella (the kneecap) that causes pain in one or both knees.

This condition occurs when the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the band of tissue that connects the femur to the tibia inside the knee joint, becomes torn or worn away, causing pain and instability of the knee.