A sprain is where one or more ligaments are overstretched, due to twisting or pulling. The ligament may be torn or may get ruptured. Ligaments are actually tissues which hold the bones together. Sprains are a common occurrence during sports activities. In a sprained knee injury, the patient will also experience knee pain, swelling and bruising of the knee. The severity of the sprain may vary from a slight stretch to a complete tear of the ligament.
Causes of Sprained Knee Ligament
Sprains are often caused due to movements which are not normal for the knee. One of the most common movement which causes a sprain in the knee during sports is where the person plants his foot on the ground and quickly turns at the knee. The same can happen when the person is walking or running and suddenly stops to change direction.
The other cause is hyper-extending the knee, in other words, when you straighten your leg more than its normal range of motion. Direct hits to the knee, either to the front sides or back of the knees can lead to a sprain in the knee. It can also be caused due to tripping or falling down on the knees, when the person is bent. Click to read on sprains & strains: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Sprained Knee Symptoms
The very first symptom of sprain in the knee is decreased movement. The person may experience stiff knee and may find it difficult to move. The other symptom which accompanies a sprain is pain or tenderness in the knee. Some people may also feel or hear a painful "pop" in the knee. In the first few hours after the sprain, joint swelling, and bruising is a common occurrence. This is caused because the ligament bleeds into the knee joint. If your knee is unstable and it feels like buckling or giving out when you are trying to walk, it can be due to a sprain in the knee.
Sprained Knee - What to Do
Sprained knee treatment includes controlling the pain and swelling first. There is a four step treatment which is often helpful in treating the knee. The first of the four steps is rest. Resting the knee is very important. It is better to keep weight off the knee. Once the knee has been given sufficient amount of rest, the swelling with decrease and it will also give the knee the required time to heal and recover. You may want to read on how to treat a sprain.
Using ice packs on the affected knee also decreases swelling, pain and redness, as the blood vessels are constricted. Use of frozen corn or peas on the knee will also give the same effect as that of ice pack. The ice pack can be put on the knee for 15 to 20 minutes about three to four times a day. This treatment should be used for three to four days, until the pain goes away. However, do not sleep with the ice pack on the knee, as it can cause frostbite.
Compresses wrapped around the knee will prevent the sprained knee from moving too much when it is in the healing process. The compress also should not be wrapped too tight or too loose. In other words, it should be wrapped comfortably. Placing the knee on an elevation will also help in decreasing the swelling.
If the pain is unbearable, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine can be taken, but it recommended to take these medicines after talking to your health care professional. In case there is extra fluid accumulation in the sprained knee, it may have to be drained out. Draining out the fluid will help in the healing process. Sprained knee exercises may be prescribed after the initial swelling and inflammation has decreased. These exercises will help to strengthen and stretch the knee. However, it is better to talk to a physical therapist and not start any exercises on your own.
Sprained knee recovery time depends on the type of injury caused to the knee. You may wan to read on knee injury recovery. In very rare cases, surgical intervention may be required to treat the knee. In such a case the recovery time will certainly be much more. If with the treatment at home, the sprained knee is not healing itself, then it is better to visit a physician to rule out any other complications.
Causes of Sprained Knee Ligament
Sprains are often caused due to movements which are not normal for the knee. One of the most common movement which causes a sprain in the knee during sports is where the person plants his foot on the ground and quickly turns at the knee. The same can happen when the person is walking or running and suddenly stops to change direction.
The other cause is hyper-extending the knee, in other words, when you straighten your leg more than its normal range of motion. Direct hits to the knee, either to the front sides or back of the knees can lead to a sprain in the knee. It can also be caused due to tripping or falling down on the knees, when the person is bent. Click to read on sprains & strains: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Sprained Knee Symptoms
The very first symptom of sprain in the knee is decreased movement. The person may experience stiff knee and may find it difficult to move. The other symptom which accompanies a sprain is pain or tenderness in the knee. Some people may also feel or hear a painful "pop" in the knee. In the first few hours after the sprain, joint swelling, and bruising is a common occurrence. This is caused because the ligament bleeds into the knee joint. If your knee is unstable and it feels like buckling or giving out when you are trying to walk, it can be due to a sprain in the knee.
Sprained Knee - What to Do
Sprained knee treatment includes controlling the pain and swelling first. There is a four step treatment which is often helpful in treating the knee. The first of the four steps is rest. Resting the knee is very important. It is better to keep weight off the knee. Once the knee has been given sufficient amount of rest, the swelling with decrease and it will also give the knee the required time to heal and recover. You may want to read on how to treat a sprain.
Using ice packs on the affected knee also decreases swelling, pain and redness, as the blood vessels are constricted. Use of frozen corn or peas on the knee will also give the same effect as that of ice pack. The ice pack can be put on the knee for 15 to 20 minutes about three to four times a day. This treatment should be used for three to four days, until the pain goes away. However, do not sleep with the ice pack on the knee, as it can cause frostbite.
Compresses wrapped around the knee will prevent the sprained knee from moving too much when it is in the healing process. The compress also should not be wrapped too tight or too loose. In other words, it should be wrapped comfortably. Placing the knee on an elevation will also help in decreasing the swelling.
If the pain is unbearable, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicine can be taken, but it recommended to take these medicines after talking to your health care professional. In case there is extra fluid accumulation in the sprained knee, it may have to be drained out. Draining out the fluid will help in the healing process. Sprained knee exercises may be prescribed after the initial swelling and inflammation has decreased. These exercises will help to strengthen and stretch the knee. However, it is better to talk to a physical therapist and not start any exercises on your own.
Sprained knee recovery time depends on the type of injury caused to the knee. You may wan to read on knee injury recovery. In very rare cases, surgical intervention may be required to treat the knee. In such a case the recovery time will certainly be much more. If with the treatment at home, the sprained knee is not healing itself, then it is better to visit a physician to rule out any other complications.
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