Knee Sprain
Definition
A knee sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the knee. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that hold bones to each other.
Causes
A knee sprain is when a force pushes the bones of the knee apart. If the force is strong enough, the ligament comes apart. This can happen from things like:
- Forced twisting of the knee
- A sudden change in direction
- A misstep that causes a sudden strain at a joint
- An impact with an object or another person
Risk Factors
Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:
- Playing sports, such as basketball, football, skiing, and gymnastics
- Poor coordination
- Poor balance
- Muscle weakness
- Poor flexibility
- Loose joints
Symptoms
Problems may be:
- Pain and tenderness, especially putting weight on the knee
- Swelling, warmth, or bruising around the knee
- Problems moving the knee
- A popping sound
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked how the injury happened. A physical exam will be done. It will focus on the knee.
It can be hard to tell a sprain from a fracture or dislocation. Pictures may be taken. This can be done with:
The doctor may need to view the inside of the knee. This can be done with a minimally invasive procedure called an
arthroscopy.
Treatment
Treatment will depend on the joint and how severe the injury is. The goal of treatment is to ease pain and improve movement. Choices are:
- Supportive care, such as rest, ice, a compression bandage, and raising the knee to ease pain and swelling
- Medicine, such as over the counter pain relievers
- Supportive devices, such as a brace or crutches
- Physical therapy to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion
Some people may need surgery to repair a ligament that is torn.
Prevention
Most sprains are due to accidents. They cannot always be prevented. The risk may be lowered by:
- Using the right safety gear and techniques when playing sports
- Stretching and strengthening the ligaments that support the knee
Resources
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org
Canadian Resources
Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org
References
Lowe WR, Warth RJ, Davis EP, Baily L. Functional bracing
after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a systematic review. J Am Acad Ortho
Surg.2017;25(3):239-249
Sports injuries. National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases—National Institutes of Health website. Available at:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries.
Sprains, strains and other soft-tissue injuries. Ortho
Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
https://www.orthoinfo.org/en/diseases--conditions/sprains-strains-and-other-soft-tissue-injuries.
Topical NSAIDs. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
https://www.dynamed.com/drug-review/topical-nsaids.