Knee Injuries

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From sports injuries to everyday activities, knee injuries can have a significant impact on mobility and your overall quality of life. With more than 400,000 ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgeries every year in the U.S. and up to 41% of all sporting injuries happening to the knee, these injuries occur often and in many settings. 

At Houston Methodist, we offer comprehensive treatment to help you manage and recover from knee injuries. Our physicians and staff are here to help you achieve maximum recovery and regain full knee functionality. 

Understanding Common Knee Injuries

Knee injuries include a wide range of potential conditions that can have a profound impact on soft tissues and bone. This can include injuries to your meniscus, ligaments, tendons and even lower leg bone fractures. In addition, torn ligaments, tendon tears and overuse can result in conditions like patellofemoral pain syndrome and Osgood-Schlatter disease. 

Regardless of the suspected injury, it’s essential to obtain an accurate and early diagnosis. Doing so will help to manage your injured knee, prevent additional damage and facilitate a successful recovery. Learn more about the most common knee injuries below. 

Bone & Joint Conditions

  • Early osteoarthritis
  • Genu valgum (knock knees)
  • Genu varum (bowleggedness)
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Patellar fractures and distal femur fractures
  • Post-traumatic arthritis
  • Proximal tibia fractures
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Unicompartmental osteoarthritis

General Knee Problems & Treatments

  • Bursitis
  • Patellar tendonitis
  • Patellar tracking disorders
  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome 
  • IT Band syndrome (runner’s knee)
  • Sprains and strains
  • Synovitis

Ligament & Cartilage Issues

Injuries and issues with knee ligaments and cartilage typically include:

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
  • Focal cartilage defects
  • Ligament instabilities
  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears
  • Meniscal deficiencies
  • Meniscal tears
  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear

Our Knee Injury Treatment Options

At Houston Methodist, the treatment options below are specifically tailored to your needs and the specifics of the injury, with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome in the short- and long-term.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

A first-line treatment for many knee injuries (i.e., ibuprofen) that can reduce inflammation and pain, but not a long-term solution in most cases.

Cartilage Regeneration

Regrows cartilage for your knee via techniques like autologous chondrocyte implantation or stem cells. It’s typically best for younger patients or those with localized cartilage damage.

Corticosteroid Injections

Most common in arthritis patients or those with chronic knee conditions. It involves a direct injection into the knee for fast inflammation and pain reduction.

Joint Restoration

Can help you avoid a total knee replacement by replacing certain parts of the knee joint to restore functionality. It’s typically best for cases where knee replacement can be avoided.

Knee Fracture Repair

Realigning and securing broken bones in the knee using hardware. This is most common after traumatic knee injuries.

Knee Implants (Arthroplasty)

Particularly common among those with severe arthritis or knee damage, this procedure replaces certain components of the knee with artificial parts.

Knee Osteotomy

Relieves pressure on your knee joints by reshaping your bones. It can be used for younger patients who have arthritis to prolong the need for a replacement.

Knee Preservation

Primarily focuses on preserving your knee’s natural structure. It typically requires realignment surgery or cartilage repair to prevent or delay the need for a knee replacement.

Knee Reconstruction

Rebuilds your knee using grafts replacing damaged ligaments and is most commonly performed for serious knee injuries.

Knee Replacement

Typically reserved for those with very severe damage to their knees or a degenerative disease, this involves a total replacement of every part of the knee joint using artificial components.

Minimally Invasive Surgery (Arthroscopy)

Small incisions and cameras are used to treat common knee problems (i.e., loose fragment removal, ligament repairs, etc.). This typically results in much faster recovery times.

Orthotics & Braces

Can be a short or long-term solution for supporting, realigning or improving the overall function of your knee after an injury or surgical procedure.

Physical Therapy

Exercise and other treatments designed to strengthen and improve flexibility in the knee. Most knee injury patients can expect some form of physical therapy. 

 

Learn more about our comprehensive treatment options for knee injuries > 

Signs & Symptoms of Knee Injuries

Early recognition of the signs and symptoms of knee injuries is crucial to help prevent further damage. Common signs of potential knee injuries can include:

 

  • Instability or inability to bear weight
  • Painful popping or crunching noises during movement
  • Pain and swelling toward the front of the knee
  • Stiffness and reduced range of motion around your knee joint
  • Visible deformities or uneven knee appearance

 

If you’ve experienced any of the specific symptoms mentioned above, it’s recommended that you seek medical advice as soon as possible to get prompt care and reduce the risk of long-term damage. 

How We Diagnose Your Knee Injury

The physicians and knee specialists at Houston Methodist will start the diagnostic process by learning more about your medical history. Next, we’ll conduct a thorough examination of your knee, which may be followed up with imaging (X-ray, MRI, etc.) to learn the full extent of the injury. 

 

Our physicians use this diagnosis to develop effective treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs. 

Houston Methodist Sports Medicine: Helping the Pros Recover From Knee Injuries

From serving as the team doctors for the Houston Astros and Texans for more than a decade, to assisting professional entertainers, high school and youth league teams, the sports medicine physicians at Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine are trusted to help amateur and professional entertainers and athletes return to peak performance by developing patient-specific plans and cutting-edge treatments. 

Regain Your Knee Strength & Functionality

Our team of knee experts, including physicians, physical therapists, technicians and more, are dedicated to helping you regain full strength and functionality of your knee. Our physicians will integrate personalized rehab plans, effective physical therapies and advanced surgical techniques to help you achieve the best recovery and quality of life after your injury. Call us at 713.790.3333 to schedule a consultation today.

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    FAQs About Knee Injuries

    How can I tell if my knee injury is serious?

    The best way to know if your knee injury is serious is to consult with a qualified physician. However, a few signs that may indicate the seriousness of your injury can include intense pain, significant swelling, noticeable deformity and/or difficulty moving your knee. 

    How long does knee rehabilitation take?

    Knee rehab can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months. Generally, the time it takes to heal and recover depends on the severity of your injury, treatment methods and how closely you follow the post-treatment plan.

    Should I exercise with a knee injury?

    While low-impact exercise can be beneficial for some, it can be detrimental for others. With that in mind, it’s best to consult with your health care provider before engaging in activities that could hinder the recovery process. 

    When is it safe to return to sports after a knee injury?

    Sports can be hard on your knees, which is why you should only return to these kinds of activities after you’ve been cleared by an orthopedics medical professional. Otherwise, you could re-injure your knee or prolong recovery. 

    When is knee surgery necessary?

    Knee surgery is most often needed in situations involving serious structural damage to the knee, persistent pain or when other, noninvasive treatments have not provided adequate relief. 

    What should I avoid with a knee injury?

    Generally, it’s best to stay away from activities that put excessive strain on your knees until you’ve completed the recovery and rehabilitation process. This can include running, high-impact sports, heavy lifting and more. 

    What’s the difference between acute and chronic knee pain?

    An acute pain happens suddenly and is usually due to an injury. On the other hand, chronic knee conditions develop over time and can be caused by certain conditions, like arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis and others.