Specialties

Knee injuries

The most common of sport injuries

The knee is a joint in the lower leg, joining the thighbone (femur) shinbone (tibia) and the kneecap (patella). It is the largest joint in the human body and is stabilized by several ligaments, menisci, muscles, and capsules.

Knee injuries are among the most common of sport injuries. Most sports involve running and jumping where load forces on the knees can reach up to 5-10 times body weight. High-impact sports, such as soccer, hockey, basketball, volleyball, football, running, etc., especially increase the risk of knee injuries. Rotational and pivoting forces further increase this risk.

Every knee is different and some patients have a higher risk of knee injuries compared to others. Some people have stiffer joints, others laxer. For example, females have a different lower leg anatomy compared to males (especially of the hip and femur); their knees are generally more angled and are therefore at higher risk for injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and patella.

Examples of common knee injuries

Knee injuries range from less severe to very serious, including injuries to the cruciate ligaments, menisci, and collateral ligaments and can have a major impact on a person’s career, ability to return to sport and even daily life.

Common knee injuries include:

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture
  • Meniscal Tears
  • Cartilage damage
  • Osteochondral defects
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament rupture
  • Collateral ligament ruptures
  • Multi-ligament injuries
  • Kneecap (patellar) instability
  • Impingement
  • (Post-traumatic) Arthritis
  • Tendon injuries

Treatment depends on the type of injury

Some knee injuries can be treated with special exercise and training programs, a period of rest or other non-surgical measures. More severe injuries require surgery; especially in the (elite) athlete.

At ACES, experienced hands will perform a thorough physical examination. In addition, we are able to embed high-end musculoskeletal imaging including specific knee X-ray, MRI, and CT. For every injured athlete, there is a tailor-made treatment protocol based on the best available scientific evidence and the individual athlete’s characteristics. Every athlete is unique, with both specific wishes and requirements.

ACES stands for a patient-centered team approach. Whether the injury requires non-surgical or surgical treatment is based on shared decision-making with the athlete and the multidisciplinary sports specialized team. This usually includes an orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine physicians, physiotherapists and musculoskeletal radiologists. The consultation of athletes extends beyond their career. Post-traumatic knee problems such as joint degeneration are in expert hands as well at ACES. We are excited to meet you and your team, learn from you, inform you and help you with our team.