Knee Sprain

A Knee Sprain is stretching or tearing of the ligaments that support the knee. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other.

Causes

Knee Sprains may be caused by:
  • Forced twisting of the knee
  • Stopping suddenly while running
  • Shifting your weight while running or skiing
  • Landing awkwardly after jumping
  • A blow to the outer or inner side of the knee
  • A blow to the front of the knee while the knee is bent and the foot is firmly planted on the ground

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease, condition or injury.
  • Playing sports
  • Poor coordination
  • Poor balance
  • Inadequate flexibility and strength in muscles and ligaments
  • Loose joints

Symptoms

Symptoms include:
  • Pain in the knee
  • Swelling, redness, warmth or bruising around the knee
  • Decreased range of motion in the knee
  • Inability to stand on the affected leg
  • Tenderness where the injured ligament attaches to a bone in the knee
  • Swelling within the knee

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how you injured your knee. The doctor will examine your knee to assess the stability of the joint and the severity of the injury.
Tests may include:
  • X-rays – to make sure that no bones are broken
  • MRI scan – to see if a ligament has torn completely (less common)
Knee Sprains are graded according to their severity. In addition, the more ligaments involved the more severe the injury. Grade1
  • Stretching and microtearing of ligament tissue
Grade 2
  • Partial tearing of ligament tissue
  • Mild instability of the joint when tested
Grade 3
  • Severe or complete tearing of ligament tissue
  • Significant instability of the joint

Treatment

Treatment includes:
Rest – Avoid putting any pressure on your knee by not walking on that leg.
Ice – Apply ice or a cold pack to the knee for 15-20 minutes, 4 times a day for 2 days. This helps reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
Compression – Wrap your knee in an elastic compression bandage (e.g., Ace bandage). This will limit swelling and provide some support for your knee.
Elevation – Keep the injured knee raised above the level of your heart for 24 hours. This will help drain fluid and reduce swelling.
Medication – Take one of the following drugs to help reduce inflammation and pain:
  • Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
  • Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
  • Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
  • Aspirin
Brace – You may need to wear a brace to immobilize your knee. If you play sports, you may need to wear a knee brace when you return to play.
Leg Cast – If you have a severe sprain, your doctor may recommend a short leg cast for 2-3 weeks.
Rehabilitation Exercises – Begin exercises to restore flexibility, range of motion, and strength in your knee as recommended by your health care professional.
Surgery – Surgery is often needed to repair a ligament that is torn completely. Some external ligaments can heal without surgery, but internal ligaments will not.

Prevention

Many Knee Sprains cannot be prevented. To reduce your risk of spraining a knee:
  • Take a break from sports or exercise when you feel tired.
  • Do exercises that strengthen the leg muscles.
  • Learn the proper technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress on all your muscles, ligaments and tendons, including those around your knee.