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Knee Pain

Ligament Injuries

Knee injuries are very common in sports that require stopping and starting or quickly changing directions. These extreme forces on the knee can result in torn ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL) are the most often injured, but the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) can also be injured.

ACL tears can occur when an athlete changes direction rapidly, twists the upper body and hips while the feet are:

Injuries to the MCL usually are caused by a blow to the outside of the knee. Such contact forces often are encountered in sports such as football, rugby or soccer. The PCL can be injured during a sports activity when the athlete receives a blow to the front of the knee or makes a simple misstep on the playing field.

Torn Knee Cartilage

A torn knee cartilage generally refers to a torn meniscus. The meniscus is a tough, rubbery cartilage that is attached to the knee's ligaments. It acts like a shock absorber. In athletic activities, meniscus tears usually occur when twisting, cutting, pivoting, decelerating, or being tackled. This is typically a contact injury.

Chondromalacia

This term refers to softening of the surface on the underside of the kneecap. This injury can occur in young adults and is often caused by:

It is often identified by a dull pain around or under the kneecap that worsens when walking down stairs or hills.

Tendonitis and Ruptured Tendons

Tendonitis is simply an inflammation of a tendon whereas a ruptured tendon has torn. Overuse often leads to an inflammation of the tendons, often called jumper's knee, because sports requiring jumping can strain the tendon. The tendon may become inflamed or tear after repeated stress

Tendonitis is often identified due to tenderness at the point where the patellar tendon meets the bone. It may also cause pain during faster movements, such as: