One of the most common knee injuries is a torn or split meniscus. Severe impact or twisting, especially during weight bearing exercise, can tear this cartilage. Tears of the meniscus can also occur in older people due to wear and tear. Symptoms include swelling, pain and the inability to straighten the leg.
Often with a twisted knee, more than one structure is damaged. It may be that more than one ligament is damaged, most commonly the ACL and MCL, or that there is a combination of ligament and cartilage damage. It is even possible to damage three structures.
You may need a splint or brace (immobilizer) for a partly torn ligament. A complete tear may need surgery. A minor knee sprain may take up to 6 weeks to heal, while a severe sprain may take months. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common ligaments to be injured. The ACL is often stretched and/or torn during a sudden twisting motion (when the feet stay planted one way, but the knees turn the other way). Skiing, basketball, and football are sports that have a higher risk of ACL injuries.
A key sign to look for is swelling. “Serious injuries cause a lot of swelling in the knee, especially in younger patients,” says Christina Allen, MD, division chief of Sports Medicine. This is especially so when the swelling arises quickly.
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
Resting the affected ligaments, tendons, and muscles, gives the knee time to heal. Your doctor may provide a cane or crutches to help you keep weight off the affected knee for about a week. After the swelling starts to subside, most people can walk while wearing a knee brace.
Get advice from 111 now if:
your knee is very painful. you cannot move your knee or put any weight on it. your knee is badly swollen or has changed shape. you have a very high temperature, feel hot and shivery, and have redness or heat around your knee – this can be a sign of infection.
Knee strains or sprains can cause swelling, pain and tenderness in the affected knee, as well as buckling and trouble bending the knee. While many strains and sprains can be treated at home, you should call your doctor immediately if your knee pain is so severe that you cannot walk or bend the knee.
Meniscus tear: This is one of the most common reasons for pain on the inside of the knee after a twisting injury. This type of acute cartilage injury typically leads to medial knee pain along with swelling that develops 24 to 48 hours after the incident.
In many cases, injuries to tendon and ligaments such as common sprains and strains heal without surgical intervention. However, the process is often slow and results in the formation of inferior scar tissue, which can take years to remodel into more functional tissue.
You might develop the following signs and symptoms in your knee: A popping sensation. Swelling or stiffness. Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.
If your knee hurts, you might want to stay off of it. But resting too much makes your muscles weaken and often makes knee pain worse. Find a way to get moving without hurting your knee. Some good exercises for people with knee pain include walking, swimming, and water aerobics.
Stretching the knee, thigh, and leg can gradually restore your range of motion to pre-injury levels, while strengthening thigh and leg muscles can help to support the knee. As your knee and muscles grow stronger, your physical therapist guides you in returning to more vigorous activity.
Place pillow under both legs to elevate the knee above the level of the heart. If there is swelling in the knee, the elevation can help to reduce it. If you have knee stiffness, it is usually best to keep the knee straight while sleeping.
The most common knee injuries include sprains and tears of soft tissues (e.g., ligaments, meniscus), fractures, and dislocation. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury. In addition, the knee may catch or lock.
Full recovery from arthritis of the knee is not possible. However, it is possible to feel less pain, swelling and stiffness because of medications, physical therapy and other treatments.
If pain and swelling persist after a few days followed by no signs of healing, it may indicate a more serious knee injury that requires a full evaluation from a medical professional.
If there is swelling in your knee, you should ice for at least 72 hours until the swelling goes down. After that, heat can be used to help regain mobility. If you are suffering from joint tightness and stiffness, heat can help relax these away.
After an acute injury, ice should be used to minimize swelling for the first two to three days. After this period, heat can be used to increase blood flow and assist the natural healing process. Applying heat too early may cause additional swelling by increasing blood flow to the injury.
There are four stages of osteoarthritis (OA): early, mild, moderate, and severe. You can also be diagnosed with a stage called pre-osteoarthritis. OA is a progressive joint disease caused by cartilage breakdown. It is the most common form of arthritis.