Knee Injury

If you suffer a knee injury at work or while playing sports, seek treatment immediately. Early intervention and treatment can reduce the risk of complications and restore your mobility. At Reflex Knee Specialists, the team of non-surgical knee specialists provides complete care for various knee injuries, including MCL strains, LCL strains, torn meniscus, runner’s knee, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. To make an appointment, call the office in Portland, Oregon; Bellevue, Washington; or Tempe, Arizona, or book online today.

What are knee injuries?

A knee injury refers to trauma that affects your knee joint and/or the surrounding tissues. Knee injuries often occur while playing sports, but they can also result from work, car accidents, or falls. 

If you or a loved one suffers a knee injury, don’t wait to visit Reflex Knee Specialists. Identifying the severity and treating the injury early can reduce the risk of lengthy recovery and encourage your body’s healing process.

What are common knee injuries?

At Reflex Knee Specialists, the team treats various knee injuries, including:

Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries

The MCL is one of four ligaments that help stabilize your knee joint. If you tear or overextend (sprain) your MCL, it results in knee pain, swelling, tenderness, and sensitivity over the inside (medial) area of your knee joint.

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries

The LCL is another one of the ligaments responsible for stabilizing your knee joint. The symptoms of an LCL injury are similar to those of an MCL injury. The difference is the symptoms, like pain and swelling, affect the outer (lateral) aspect of your knee joint. 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Runner’s knee is a sports-related injury characterized by pain over the front of the knee, and stiffness experienced during exercise. People with runner’s knee often experience knee pain if they sit for extended periods. 

Patellar tendinitis

Patellar tendinitis occurs when the tendon that connects your shin bone to your kneecap (the patellar tendon) becomes inflamed. The patellar tendon helps stretch your knee, so this type of injury tends to affect athletes who play sports like basketball and volleyball.

Torn meniscus

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage that provides a cushion between your shin bone and thigh bone. It helps you pivot and bend your knee, but it can tear if you twist it forcefully or step down in an awkward position.

How are knee injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose a knee injury, your Reflex Knee Specialists provider will ask for some details about how the injury happened, your symptoms, including when they started, and how you’d rate their severity.

Next,  a physical exam and diagnostic ultrasound will be performed to identify the source of pain and the severity of the injury. An ultrasound will help your provider identify problems such as ligament or muscle sprains, tendon injuries, or a torn meniscus. 

How are knee injuries treated?

Treatment of your knee injury depends on factors including age, type of injury, and the severity of your symptoms. Your provider at Reflex Knee Specialists might recommend:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Specialized, knee-focused physical therapy
• Joint fluid treatment (Viscosupplementation)
• Ozone joint therapy
• Knee brace to offload an injured area and provide greater stability 
• Rest 

If these treatments don’t provide lasting relief, or your symptoms worsen, an MRI may be necessary to provide further information about the injury.  Rarely, the team might recommend surgery, but only as a last resort.

To explore the various treatment options for your knee injury, make an appointment at Reflex Knee Specialists by calling the nearest office or booking online today.