March 24, 2025 Author : Rui Cerqueira (Orthopedics) The knee joint is made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and muscles and any change in one of these components can lead to pain and movement limitation, interfering with quality of life. Among the most common knee pathologies , the following stand out: Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is a degenerative cartilage disease , of multifactorial origin, which can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. In the knees, in particular, it is a degradation of the cartilage that is often associated with aging, but also with excess weight and some activities causing overload. Ligament injuries The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are critical to knee stability. Injuries such as ruptures are common in athletes, and result, for example, in intense pain and joint instability. Meniscopathy The menisci are cartilaginous structures that act as shock absorbers between the bones of the knee joint. Meniscal injuries, which can be acute or degenerative, are common in athletes and can cause pain, locking and crepitus in the knee. Patellofemoral pain syndrome This condition refers to pain in the front of the knee, often associated with muscle imbalances, overuse, or patellar alignment problems. It is common in runners and people who perform high-impact physical activities. Tendonitis Knee tendonitis, such as patellar tendonitis or "jumper's knee" is an inflammation of the tendons that can result from overuse or overload, causing pain and discomfort. Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosis of pathologies affecting the knee require a detailed clinical evaluation , imaging tests such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging and, in some cases, arthroscopy. Treatment can range from conservative measures, such as physiotherapy, use of anti-inflammatory medications and modification of physical activity, to surgical interventions , which depend on the nature of the problem, its severity and the particularities of each person. For acute injuries, arthroscopy is usually the surgical technique of choice. This is a minimally invasive technique that allows the treatment of meniscal, ligament and focal cartilage injuries. It also allows to address anterior knee pain and patellar instability. Early stages of osteoarthritis or degenerative knee disease can be treated with growth factors and hyaluronic acid injections. For the surgical treatment of osteoarthritis in a more advanced stage, which must be individually adapted, three options are available: Osteomy, which is the correction of the axis of the lower limb, aligning the knee to a position more favorable to the transmission of loads and, thus, reducing pain; Unicompartmental prosthesis, which is a partial knee prosthesis that allows only the affected compartment of the joint to be treated, with faster recovery of mobility and a more natural feeling of the knee; Total knee replacement, which may be indicated when both compartments of the knee have osteoarthritis. Preventing knee problems Preventing knee problems is done throughout life: Maintaining a healthy weight; With adequate care during physical activity; With strengthening and stretching exercises. Recognizing the signs of pain and seeking professional guidance are important steps toward knee health and preventing long-term injuries. Meet the orthopedics clinial team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
