Knee

The knee is one of the most complex and weight-bearing joints in our body and is constantly in motion while walking, running, climbing stairs, or performing sports in daily life, which makes it highly susceptible to various injuries and diseases. The knee joint consists of three bones, namely the femur, tibia, and patella, and these bones are covered with articular cartilage that prevents them from rubbing against each other to make movement smooth and painless. The knee joint is supported by ligaments, the meniscus, and muscles, where the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments control the forward and backward movement while the medial and lateral collateral ligaments limit side-to-side movements. The meniscus protects the joint as a shock absorber and prevents the wear of cartilage tissue, while muscles and tendons provide movement and stabilize the joint.

Among the most common knee problems are meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and knee tendinitis. Meniscus tears usually occur as a result of sudden turns, falls, or impacts during sports and lead to pain, swelling, and restricted movement in the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are common in sports such as football, basketball, or skiing and can create instability and sudden pain in the knee. Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of the wear of the knee joint’s cartilage tissue over time and usually appears with age, with pain, stiffness, and restricted movement being the most prominent symptoms. Inflammation and pain may be seen in the knee tendons as a result of repetitive movements or overloading, which is called knee tendinitis.

To protect knee health, it is important to exercise regularly, strengthen the muscles, and perform movements that stabilize the joint. Since excess weight puts extra load on the knee, maintaining an ideal weight is beneficial for knee health. Additionally, using correct equipment during sports, choosing appropriate shoes, and not neglecting warm-up movements reduce knee injuries.

Treatment for knee problems is generally carried out with conservative and surgical methods. While conservative treatment includes rest, physical therapy, medication, and supportive equipment, surgical intervention can be applied with arthroscopic surgery or knee replacement in meniscus tears, ligament injuries, or advanced calcifications. Protecting knee health is of great importance in terms of preventing problems with early intervention and increasing the quality of life. Orthopedics specialist Serkan Sürücü provides safe and effective solutions to his patients by using modern methods in the diagnosis and treatment of all kinds of knee-related problems.