Your knee joint is made up of bone, cartilage, ligaments and fluid. Muscles and tendons help the knee joint move. When any of these structures is hurt or diseased, you have knee problems. Knee problems can cause pain and difficulty walking.
Arthritis is the most common disease that affects bones in your knees. The cartilage in the knee gradually wears away, causing pain and swelling. Injuries to ligaments and tendons also cause knee problems. A common injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). You usually injure your ACL by a sudden twisting motion. ACL and other knee injuries are common sports injuries.
Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. In some cases your doctor may recommend knee replacement.
- Knee Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/542.printerview.html
-
What Are Knee Problems?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Knee_Problems/knee_problems_ff.asp
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/Informacion_de_Salud/Problemas_de_rodillas/default.asp
- Knee Pain(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/knee-pain/DS00555/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
-
Questions and Answers about Knee Problems(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Knee_Problems/default.asp
-
Effect of Glucosamine and/or Chondroitin Sulfate on the Progression of Knee Osteoarthritis(10/03/2008, Arthritis Foundation) - Links to PDF - http://www.arthritis.org/media/newsroom/GAIT%202%20statement%20FINAL%2010-3-08.pdf
- Resistance Training Boosts Mobility in Knee Arthritis Patients(10/02/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69990.html
-
Dietary Supplements Glucosamine and/or Chondroitin Fare No Better than Placebo in Slowing Structural Damage of Knee Osteoarthritis(09/29/2008, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.nih.gov/news/health/sep2008/nccam-29.htm
- NATA Issues Consensus Statement Aimed at Reducing Gender Bias in ACL Injury Research Studies(09/17/2008, National Athletic Trainers' Association) - http://www.nata.org/newsrelease/archives/000631.htm
- Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis No Better Than Therapy, Meds(09/10/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69139.html
- Almost Half of Adults Will Develop Knee Osteoarthritis by 85(09/05/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68974.html
- High Risk and Potential Therapy Found for Knee Osteoarthritis(09/01/2008, American College of Rheumatology) - http://www.rheumatology.org/press/2008/200809b.asp
- Alternative Warm-Up Program Reduces Risk of ACL Injuries for Female College Soccer Players(07/25/2008, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2008/r080725.htm
-
Arthrography (Joint X-Ray)(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=arthrog&bhcp=1
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=arthrog
-
Knee Arthroscopy
(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/kneearthroscopy/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/kneearthroscopyspanish/htm/index.htm - Knee Pain (DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/knee-pain-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Knee Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/542.printerview.html
- Knee Stiffness (DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/knee-stiffness-unilateral/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
-
MRI of the Musculoskeletal System(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=muscmr
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=muscmr
-
Ultrasound - Musculoskeletal(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=musculous
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=musculous
- Knee Implants(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00221
-
MedlinePlus: Knee Replacement(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneereplacement.html
- Meniscal Transplants(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00381
- Osteotomy and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00354
- Surgical Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00385
- Viscosupplementation Treatment for Arthritis(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00217
-
Knee Bracing: What Works?(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/490.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/490.printerview.html
-
Knee Arthroscopy Exercise Guide(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00300
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00478
-
MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids - Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/mobilityaids.html
- Taking Care of Your Knees(American Physical Therapy Association) - http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=20443
- ACL Injury Guide(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/acl-injury/AC99999/PAGE=all&METHOD=print
-
Arthritis of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00212
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00465
- Articular Cartilage Injuries(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - Links to PDF - http://www.sportsmed.org/secure/reveal/admin/uploads/documents/ST%20Articular%20Cartilage%2008.pdf
- Baker's Cyst (Popliteal Cyst)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bakers-cyst/DS00448/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Chondromalacia Patella(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/chondromalacia-patella/DS00777/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Goosefoot (Pes Anserine) Bursitis of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00335
- Hyperextended Knee: How Is It Treated?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/hyperextended-knee/AN00283/METHOD=print
- Knee Ligament Injuries(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00349
- Kneecap (Prepatellar) Bursitis(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00338
-
Meniscal Tear(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00358
Also available in Spanish http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00470
-
Osteoarthritis of the Knee(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/616.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/616.printerview.html
-
Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/488.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/488.printerview.html
- Osteonecrosis of the Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00225
- Patellar Instability (Unstable Kneecap)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00350
- Patellar Tendinitis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/patellar-tendinitis/DS00625/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
-
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/injuries/479.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/healthy/physical/injuries/479.printerview.html
-
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS)(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/pain/disorders/469.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/pain/disorders/469.printerview.html
- Popliteus Tendinitis(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec05/ch075/ch075d.html
- Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/posterior-cruciate-ligament/DS00928/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Runner's Knee (Patellofemoral Pain)(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00382
- Torn Meniscus(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/torn-meniscus/DS00932/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Water on the Knee(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/water-on-the-knee/DS00662/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Anesthesia for Hip and Knee Surgery(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00372
-
JAMA Patient Page: Knee Pain(American Medical Association) - http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/297/15/1740.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/data/297/15/1740/DC1/1
- Office Visit Tips(American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons) - http://www.aahks.org/web/patients/tips.html
- About Joint Arthroscopy(Arthritis Foundation) - Requires media player - http://ww2.arthritis.org/conditions/surgerycenter/surgerycenterflash/arthroscopy.html
-
Knee Arthroscopy(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/kneearthroscopy/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/kneearthroscopyspanish/htm/index.htm
- Unicondylar Knee Resurfacing(Arthritis Foundation) - Requires media player - http://ww2.arthritis.org/conditions/surgerycenter/surgerycenterflash/uni.html
-
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Surgery(OR-Live) - Requires media player - One hour program - 5/14/2007 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=529
- Arthroscopic Surgery to Replace a Young Athlete's ACL(OR-Live) - Requires media player - One hour program - 10/17/2006 - http://www.or-live.com/distributors/NLM/rnh.cfm?id=350
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Anterior Cruciate Ligament(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Anterior+Cruciate+Ligament%22
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Cartilage, Articular(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Cartilage,+Articular%22
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Patella(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Patella%22
-
ClinicalTrials.gov: Knee Injuries(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/term=knee+injuries
-
Questions & Answers - NIH Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT)(National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) - http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/gait/qa.htm
- Preventing Blood Clots after Knee Arthroscopy(American College of Physicians) - http://www.annals.org/cgi/content/full/149/2/I-40
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: A clinically relevant assessment of posterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18676890&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Accuracy of partial weight bearing after autologous chondrocyte implantation. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18674988&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Isolated repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament in primary dislocation... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18657736&tool=MedlinePlus
- Knee Injuries and Disorders -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(knee+injuries[majr]+OR+patella/injuries[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Meniscal injuries -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=menisci,tibial/in[majr]+OR+menisci,tibial/su[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Glossary of Orthopaedic Words(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/glossary.cfm
- Orthopedic Glossary(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/clinicalservices/Site1173/mainpageS1173P9.html
- AAHKS Doctor Locator(American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons) - http://www.aahks.org/members/public/memdir.cfm
- Find an AOSSM Sports Medicine Specialist(American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine) - http://www.sportsmed.org/tabs/membership/membersearch.aspx
- Find an Orthopaedist(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://www6.aaos.org/about/public/members.cfm
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons - http://www.aaos.org/
-
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/
Also available in Spanish http://www.niams.nih.gov/Portal_En_Espanol/
- Knee Osteoarthritis Statistics(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00399
- Knock-Knees(Children's Hospital Boston) - http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1103/mainpageS1103P0.html
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/kid/ill_injure/aches/osgood_schlatter.html
- Adolescent Anterior Knee Pain(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00041
- Knee Injuries(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/first_aid/knee_injuries.html
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/food_fitness/sports/osgood.html
-
Osgood-Schlatter Disease: A Cause of Knee Pain in Children(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/special/bone/135.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/children/parents/special/bone/135.printerview.html
- Care of the Aging or Post-Traumatic Knee(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) - http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00344
- Knee Replacement - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kneereplacement.html
- Leg Injuries and Disorders - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/leginjuriesanddisorders.html
- Bones, Joints and Muscles - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bonesjointsandmuscles.html
- Injuries and Wounds - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/injuriesandwounds.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Knee Injuries and Disorders is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases - http://www.niams.nih.gov/