About Internal Derangement of the Knee:
Internal Derangement of the Knee is a general term to describe a chronic or acute condition that is the result of an underlying condition, such as a partial tear in the meniscus, damage to the cartilage or to one or more of the ligaments of the knee (ACL, PCL, LCL or MCL). In many cases, a small piece of bone or tissue will become trapped between the articular surfaces of the knee, which causes the symptoms typically associated with this condition.
Signs & Symptoms
- A locking or snapping sensation
- Swelling and/or instability in the knee
- Loss of range of motion in the knee
How is it Treated?
The first phase of treatment for Internal Derangement of the Knee is to determine the cause. Physical Therapy is used to increase mobility in the knee joint. In many cases, Physical Therapy is used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory medications or therapeutic injections (corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, etc.).If the condition is due to an obvious structural defect, or conservative modalities have not provided adequate pain relief, a surgical intervention may be considered.
