Knee care
Knee injuries & conditions
The knee depends on ligaments, cartilage, menisci, tendons, muscles, and bones working together. Different injuries can produce similar symptoms, so an accurate diagnosis is important before choosing treatment. This page helps you find the topic closest to your concern.
Knee problems range from sudden injuries during sport to pain that develops gradually. Some involve the ligaments that keep the knee stable, some involve the cartilage that cushions and smooths the joint, and some involve the tendons or the kneecap.
Knowing roughly which structure is involved helps you and your surgeon have a clearer first conversation. The topics below describe the common categories — ACL, meniscus, cartilage and joint preservation, kneecap (patellar) instability, tendon injuries, and knee arthritis (osteoarthritis) — each covered in detail on its own page.
Common knee topics
Find the area closest to what you're experiencing.
- ACL injuriesThe ACL is a main stabilizing ligament. Tears often happen during pivoting or landing and can affect the knee's stability.
- Meniscus tearsThe meniscus is the knee's cushioning cartilage; tears are among the most common knee injuries.
- Cartilage & knee preservationJoint-surface (cartilage) problems and treatments that aim to protect the knee over the long term.
- Kneecap (patellar) instabilityWhen the kneecap slips out of its groove or feels unstable — and the options if it keeps happening.
- Tendon injuriesInjuries to the tendons around the knee, including the patellar and quadriceps tendons.
- Knee osteoarthritis (knee arthritis)Wear-related knee pain and stiffness that isn't tied to a single sudden injury — how it's evaluated, nonsurgical care, joint preservation, and when replacement is considered.
Next step
Have a knee injury you want to understand?
If you've hurt your knee or have ongoing knee symptoms, you can request an appointment to talk through what's happening and your options. This website is not monitored for emergencies — for a medical emergency, call 911.