Directory of Diseases
Keratitis is inflammation of the cornea.The cornea is the clear part of the eye that covers the colored portion of the eye. The disorder can be caused by: ultraviolet radiation (snow blindness), welding, infections, inflammatory immune system diseases, and chemical exposures. Wearing sunglasses when outside for long periods of time and wearing an eye shield while welding or working with dangerous and irritating chemicals can reduce the chance of developing this problem.
Kidney Stones are stones that some people form in the kidney. These stones can then travel from your kidney to your bladder causing severe pain and vomiting. Kidney stone pain most commonly starts in the flank or lower back and often radiates to the lower abdomen and/or groin. This pain typically comes in waves lasting 20 to 60 minutes. Other symptoms can include fever, blood in the urine, and painful urination.
Kidney Stones are stones that some people form in the kidney. These stones can then travel from your kidney to your bladder causing severe pain and vomiting. Kidney stone pain most commonly starts in the flank or lower back and often radiates to the lower abdomen and/or groin. This pain typically comes in waves lasting 20 to 60 minutes. Other symptoms can include fever, blood in the urine, and painful urination.
Arthritis is degeneration of a joint. It can occur from aging, overuse, or after an infection or inflammatory event. Arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Arthritic pain usually feels achy and is worse when a joint is first used or moved. The pain of arthritis usually improves with continued use and movement of the affected joint. In knee arthritis, the pain is usually worse when one starts walking, squatting, or moving the knee. This condition is usually treated by rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. Occasionally a steroid injection is used to treat the inflammation. A knee replacement may be needed in cases of very advanced arthritis.
A knee contusion is a bruise of the deep tissues of the knee. This occurs when one is hit forcibly on the knee. A bruise can occur if small blood vessels under the skin tear or rupture from the injury. Blood leaks out of the damaged blood vessels causing a "black-and-blue" discoloration under the skin. A contusion should not impede a person from walking or moving the knee in all directions. If a knee injury impairs someone from walking, moving the knee, or standing up, then it is not likely a simple knee contusion. Although most contusions are not emergencies, bruising around your knee could signify a severe injury requiring an in person medical evaluation.
Inflammatory arthritis is severe inflammation of a joint, and can affect any joint in the body. It can occur from aging, overuse, gout, pseudogout, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritic pain usually feels achy and is worst when a joint is first used or moved. If the inflammation is severe enough, then there is swelling and fluid build up in the knee (effusion). A large effusion can make the knee stiff causing it to lose some of its mobility. It is important to been seen by a physician for this condition in order to make sure that the knee is not infected (septic arthritis). Treatment occasionally involves a steroid injection is used to treat the inflammation or an arthrocentesis.
A laceration is the medical term for a cut. A knee laceration is a cut on the knee. Most cuts on the knee are simple and only involve the skin. However, if a cut is deep enough, it can cause injury to underlying tendons, nerves, blood vessels or the joint capsule itself. Lacerations that invade the joint capsule are serious because they predispose the joint to infection. Although most lacerations can heal without stitches, wounds heal faster and with less scarring when the edges are brought closer together by a medical professional. Stitches, skin glue, staples and Steri-Strips help healing by decreasing the distance between skin edges and aligning them better. Lacerations over the knee should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
The meniscus is a crescent shaped, rubbery piece of cartilage that helps cushion and disperse friction inside of the knee. There are two menisci in the knee that sit in between the lower leg (tibia) and the thigh (femur) to help distribute the weight evenly across the joint. There is one meniscus on the inside of the knee (medial) and another on the outside (lateral). When there is a meniscus injury, one experiences pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased ability to flex the knee. If you had a recent twisting injury to your knee and now have swelling, pain with squatting, and/or inability to bend the knee fully, then you could have a meniscus tear. When there is a severe meniscus tear, the knee gets locked in a semi-flexed position and one can not fully straighten the knee.
