Internal Derangement of Knee is a broad term for a chronic or acute ailment caused by an underlying condition such as a partial meniscus tear, cartilage injury, or damage to one or more knee ligaments (ACL, PCL, LCL, or MCL). A tiny bit of bone or tissue becomes caught between the articular portions of the knee in many cases, causing the symptoms that are typical of this illness.

What are the symptoms of Internal Derangement of Knee?

1. Knee locking: This is one of the more typical symptoms of Internal Derangement of Knee, in addition to pain and discomfort. The two muscles above your knee joint – quadriceps and hamstrings – may freeze in place. They could fail at the same time, causing your knee to buckle.

2. Meniscusal Tear: One may experience pain when flexing or rotating your knee after initial soreness and swelling. When you bend your knee, the pain may go away. You can also find it difficult to extend your knee fully.

3. Ligament Rupture: You’ll feel discomfort in either your inner or outer knee, depending on which ligaments are affected. Swelling surrounding the damaged ligament is also possible. Before the ligament is mended, you’ll probably have some knee instability.

4. Slack-filled Bodies: Bits of cartilage or bone can be disjointed within your knee joint due to injuries or normal wear and tear. You may have discomfort in various portions of your knee as they move about in the joint.

Anatomy and Physiology

Internal derangement of knee is a physiological disorder that interferes with normal joint motion and mobility or both. A tiny piece of soft tissue or bone that suddenly becomes locked between the articular surfaces is the typical cause of internal derangement. The misplaced piece can be radiolucent or radiopaque. The most common cause of locking is entrapment of the radiolucent meniscus.

What are the causes of Internal Derangement of Knee

The torn meniscus is the most prevalent Internal Derangement of Knee. The articular cartilage and the menisci are the two main cartilaginous components of the knee joint. The bone ends of the tibia, femur, and patella in friction with the joint are encased in articular cartilage in the knee. The menisci are responsible for joint stability, shock absorption, and lubrication. Trauma can cause acute damage to these structures, or accumulated collective trauma might cause chronic damage. Traction, compression, torque forces, or all three are the most common causes of meniscal injury.

Internal Derangement of Knee can be caused by sudden trauma, such as a blow to the knee or twisting the knee, and progressive injury, such as recurrent stress on the knee. Climbing stairs, kneeling or squatting, heavy lifting, and carrying too much weight are all examples of repetitive strain. Over time, your meniscus might potentially tear. During the process, tiny bits of cartilage from your meniscus can break off, leaving a ragged end and loose bodies roaming around in your knee joint.

How is Internal Derangement of Knee diagnosed?

If you find knee pain or stiffness that doesn’t go away after a day or two, you should consult your doctor. They’ll start by questioning you about any recent injuries or other symptoms you’ve been experiencing to figure out what’s causing the pain. They’ll probably move your knee around a bit while asking if you’re in any pain. An MRI scan may also be necessary to provide your doctor a glimpse of the soft tissue inside your knee, depending on your assessment results. The scan results will aid them in detecting any signs of a torn meniscus. A knee X-ray may also be used to look for bone deterioration.

How can Internal Derangement of Knee be treated?

The first step in treating Internal Derangement of Knee is to figure out what’s causing it. Physical treatments involve knee joint mobility. Physical Therapy is frequently used with anti- inflammatory drugs or therapeutic injections (corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, etc.). Surgery may be considered if the illness is caused by an evident structural flaw or conservative treatments have failed to offer appropriate pain relief.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Surgery isn’t always required for IDK. If you have mild tears, attempt the RICE method, which stands for:
Rest: Allow a day or two for your knee to heal. Avoid placing any pressure on it as much as possible during this time.

Ice: For 20 minutes at a time, place an ice pack on your knee. Do this as many times as you like during the day. Consider purchasing a reusable ice pack from Amazon. For the most significant benefit, look for one that is flexible enough to wrap around your entire knee.

Compression: Swelling can be reduced by wrapping your knee in an elastic bandage. Just be careful not to wrap it too tightly, as this could obstruct your circulation.

Elevation: Try to set your knee up on some pillows as much as possible for a few days.

Surgical Treatment

If you need surgery, you might be able to opt for minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. This surgery involves making a few small incisions and inserting small tools through them to fix the damage to the meniscus or to remove loose bodies. This surgery, moreover, is usually an outpatient procedure involving six to eight weeks of recovery time.

If you require surgery, you may choose arthroscopic surgery, which is less invasive. A few small incisions are made, and little tools are inserted through them to repair damage to your meniscus or remove loose bodies. Furthermore, this operation is frequently performed as an outpatient treatment with a six to eight-week recuperation period.

Internal Derangement of Knee is a severe condition that makes it challenging to move around and conduct routine duties like shopping, lawn care, cleaning, and even strolling or climbing stairs. A variety of factors can cause IDK; therefore, any recurring knee difficulties should be discussed with your doctor. One may be able to avoid surgery if addressed early.