Knee Sprain: Causes, Symptoms And Recommendations

Knee sprain is actually a common name for many injuries that occur in this joint. Knee sprain as a whole is not easy to treat because its treatment depends on the injured ligament. It is a very complex part of the body, especially when it comes to the soft tissues of the knee.

According to medicine, joint sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched beyond what it is normally able to stretch. Elongation of the ligament exceeds a certain limit, leading to injury. This results in a loss of the elasticity typical of a ligament.

In the case of the knee, the cruciate ligaments (which are inside the joints), the outer lateral ligaments (from the outside), or the internal lateral ligaments can be dislocated.

Knee sprain: causes

There can be several reasons for knee sprain, especially considering that each ligament has its own mechanism of action, as well as the way in which it can be damaged. Cross ties cannot be damaged in the same way as lateral ligaments.

Athletes are more prone to injuries of this kind than others, and each sport has a different level of risk of spraining a particular type of ligament. But as everyone knows, accidents can happen to anyone.

Consider, for example, a foot that hits a protruding slab in a backyard and results in the lower limb turning to the wrong position. Another common cause is vehicle accidents involving limb entrapment .

In contact sports, such as football, there is a high risk of cross-linking injuries. People who play rugby, for example, are prone to sprains due to battles between players. Rigging can damage lateral ligaments in particular.

Knee injury rate

Knee sprain is classified according to its severity. This classification is common in ligament sprains and determines the need for treatment.

Primary sprains

Sprains of this degree are mild. The symptoms of a person with first-degree sprains are tolerable, they include mild pain, and joint immobility. This kind of sprain occurs when only some, but not all, of the ligament fibers are stretched. There are no tears either, so it is unlikely that a hematoma will appear in the area.

Secondary sprains

According to the traumatological classification, second-degree sprain means that more than half of the ligaments are damaged. Functional mobility is moderate and cannot be continued. The pain is so severe that it forces the person to rest.

Third degree sprains

The most severe form is a rupture of ligaments. It is often a complete rupture of a single cross-side or side-ligament. The situation is serious and surgical procedures are needed to remedy the situation.

An individual can no longer use his knee until the injury has completely healed with rest. Hematoma may occur. They also often indicate the extent of the injury.

Knee sprain: symptoms

Pain is a common factor in all sprains, regardless of the damaged ligament. The location of the feeling of discomfort and its effect on the knee trajectories may vary. Cross ties are responsible for reciprocating movement, while other ligaments are responsible for lateral movement.

The limitation of mobility depends on the severity of the sprain. In milder forms, a person can continue walking even if running is not allowed. In second and third degree sprains, rest is mandatory.

The knee and its soft tissues may swell. The distribution of fluids changes according to the person’s position. When the lower limb is extended and raised, fluids redistribute and gravity empties the swollen area.

Fortunately, this also relieves pain. If a person does not get enough rest, the swelling increases and begins to press on the nerves as well as the arteries.

The quality and size of hematomas vary. There is no vascularization in the ligaments, so their rupture does not cause subcutaneous hematoma, this can be affected by the surrounding tissues. In second and third degree sprains, a person may notice changes in skin color as a result of blood extravasation.

Treatment of sprained knee

Although the treatment of knee sprains depends on the damaged ligament as well as the severity of the lesion, certain procedures are quite common in all forms of knee sprain:

• Medication : Doctors often prescribe painkillers and NSAIDs to relieve symptoms. They do not solve the actual problem, but relieve the pain.
• Rest : This is one of the most important things for recovery. We should rest the ligaments to promote their natural recovery. When injury occurs, rest is necessary before surgery.
• Immobilization : The use of a dressing can promote the absorption of fluids in extravasation as well as support the knee to relieve pain. In more serious cases, experts choose rigid plaster or something that is sturdy enough to ensure stability. Elastic knee pads are a good and easy-to-use option for first-degree sprains.
• Surgery: The third degree of knee sprain requires surgery. Torn ligaments must be repaired with a procedure. The trauma surgeon decides on the best technique to facilitate later recovery. It is a complex injury, so recovery is usually slow.

Recovery of a sagging knee

The recovery process of a sprained knee involves different steps. The first step is rest, which is mandatory for everyone. The patient must understand the importance of rest to ensure complete healing of the injury.

However, the slow healing of the injury must be taken into account. One month is normal, but if the injury has required surgical treatment, recovery will take several months. If the person continues to strain the injured knee, the recovery time will be extended. Recovery often requires a rehabilitation plan that can take 3 to 6 months.

For physiotherapy, the kinesiologist will define a treatment plan. Both mechanical and manual movements can be included in the treatment plan. Ultrasound and magnetism can also be used to treat a sprained knee. The patient often needs to undergo at least 10 treatments.

Can knee sprains be prevented?

The prevention of sports-related injuries is a topic that has been addressed in countless studies. The truth is that knee sprains can be prevented by  taking precautions during exercise, warming up, and preventing muscle fatigue.

In any case, there are accidents that are simply inevitable. We can reduce the risk of an accident if we wear footwear that is suitable for the purpose, but it does not eliminate all the risks. For example, we can’t make a difference if someone bumps into us.

Good physical condition is also one of the protective factors. Individuals with strong lower limb muscles are less likely to suffer from sprains because these muscle tissues support the joints.

In case of knee pain or inflammation, it is recommended to consult a specialist. Usually, a person does not notice a first degree sprain and thus the damage can worsen unnoticed. Regular expert consultation is another way to prevent further damage from spreading.