Have you injured your knee recently?
Knee injuries can affect different structures—ligaments, cartilage, bones, tendons, or the surrounding soft tissue. Here’s a list of the main types of knee injuries often sustained
Ligament Injuries
These often occur during sports or sudden twisting movements.
- ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear – Common in sports; causes instability and swelling
- PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament) injury – Often from direct impact (e.g., car accidents)
- MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injury – From blows to the outside of the knee
- LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) injury – Less common; affects outer knee stability
Cartilage Injuries
These affect shock absorption and smooth movement.
- Meniscus tear – Twisting injury; causes locking, pain, swelling
- Articular cartilage damage – Wear-and-tear or trauma affecting joint surfaces
Tendon Injuries
Involve the tissues connecting muscle to bone.
- Patellar tendonitis – Overuse injury common in athletes
- Quadriceps tendon pathology – Usually in older adults or due to trauma
Bone Injuries
Usually due to significant trauma.
- Knee fractures – Patella, femur, or tibial fractures
- Bone bruises – Normally direct contact or sub chondral injuries
Overuse & Inflammatory Conditions
Often caused by repetitive stress.
- Patellofemoral pain – Pain on the front of the knee
- IT band syndrome – Pain on the outer side of the knee
- Bursitis – Inflammation of fluid-filled sacs
- Osgood–Schlatter disease – Common in adolescents during growth spurts
Degenerative Conditions
Related to aging or long-term stress.
- Osteoarthritis – Breakdown of cartilage, causing pain and swelling
- Chondromalacia patella – Softening of cartilage under the kneecap, usually adolescents
Knee pain but unsure of what the problem is?
Try a discovery call today to see if we can help
The Burton Clinic team
