The knee joins the thigh to the lower part of the leg, connected by two joints. One is the tibiofemoral joint, between the femur and tibia, while the other is the paletellofemoral joint, between the femur and patella. The knee is the largest of the joints in the human body, but it is also one of the most easily injured.

What is the knee made up of?

The knee is made up of bone, ligaments, tendons, and ligaments. They work together to allow the knee to move smoothly and support the body. The knee joint is complex, and therefore it can be injured in a manner of different ways.

Common knee injuries

Some of the more common knee injuries include:

• Fractures
• Ligament injuries (such as anterior or posterior cruciate ligament injuries)
• Tears in tendons or meniscus
• Dislocation

Symptoms of a knee injury

The knee can be injured in many ways, but some of the most common symptoms include pain, especially while walking or moving, a feeling of instability, and swelling in the knee or around it. If you are in severe pain, cannot move your knee, have significant swelling, or cannot walk without limping, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Treatment of knee injuries

Treatment of knee injuries depends on the type of injury and the part of the knee affected. Some knee injuries can be treated through methods like physiotherapy or medication. Some can be treated simply by immobilisation – meaning you cannot move your knee. Usually in these cases a cast or brace will be fitted to ensure protection and help it to heal.

In some cases, surgery may be the best course of treatment. Most surgical procedures these days are minimally invasive, using very small instruments and making minimal incisions, which usually allows for a faster healing process. In some cases, some injuries may need to be treated with open surgery which requires a larger incision.