Solutions for knee pain & injuries
Over 10 million people are treated for knee injuries and conditions each year in the US. The most common are:
Fractures: Any of the bones in the knee can be broken by high-impact trauma or as a result of osteoporosis, but the most common is the kneecap, or patella.
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL): The ACL runs diagonally down the front of the knee, providing critical stability to the joint. Athletes who participate in contact sports such as football or soccer often injure their ACLs. Non-athletes can also injure their ACLs by improperly landing from a jump or quickly changing their direction of motion.
Dislocation: Structural abnormalities or traumas, including car accidents, falls and contact sports, can cause knee dislocations.
Meniscal tears: The meniscus is a wedge of cartilage in the knee between the thighbone and the shin bone. This cartilage can tear suddenly during sports activities. It can also tear slowly due to natural aging.
Tendonitis: Inflammation in the knee is also known as patellar tendonitis. The patellar tendon extends the knee so you can run, jump and perform other physical activities. It is often referred to as jumper’s knee because it is common among athletes who frequently jump, such as basketball players. Any physically active person can develop tendonitis.
Tendon tears: Patellar tendon tears are common among athletes and middle-aged people involved in physical activities. A direct impact caused by a fall or hit may tear this tendon.
Collateral ligament injuries: The collateral ligaments connect your thighbone to your shinbone. Injuries are common for athletes, particularly those involved in contact sports, as collateral ligament tears are often caused by direct impacts or collisions with other people or objects.
Iliotibial band syndrome: Common among distance runners, this occurs when the iliotibial band on the outside of the knee rubs against the outside of the knee joint. It often starts as a minor irritation and gradually worsens, eventually prohibiting running until it heals.
Posterior cruciate ligament injuries: Located on the back of the knee, the PCL prevents the knee from moving too far backward. Injury typically occurs when someone falls hard onto a bent knee or suffers a forceful impact to the knee while it is bent.
Schedule an appointment by calling our office at 847.432.4077 (Highland Park) or using our Request an Appointment form. We also welcome patients from Fort Sheridan, Deerfield and neighboring areas.
