Knee Sprain - Symptoms - Better Medicine

What are the symptoms of a knee sprain?

Symptoms of knee sprain begin following the injury and may be mild or severe.

Common symptoms of a knee sprain

The symptoms of knee sprain can vary in their intensity. You may hear a popping noise at the time of the injury to your knee. Common symptoms of knee sprain include:

Bruising
Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
Inability to move the knee joint, or restricted mobility of the joint
Instability of the joint
Pain (may be described as dull, sharp, burning, stabbing or aching)
Swelling
Warmth and redness of the skin

Symptoms that might indicate a serious condition

In some cases, a knee sprain may accompany other serious injuries. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these serious symptoms including:

Coldness of the feet, with weak or absent pulses
High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
Loss of sensation in the lower leg
Obvious breakage or deformity of the bones
Paralysis
Severe bleeding
Uncontrollable pain

INTRODUCTION

What is a knee sprain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament that develops due to overstretching. A ligament is a band of tough tissue that holds bones together. Four ligaments are important in maintaining the stability and function of the knee joint, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments. Knee and ankle sprains are among the most common types of sprains that... Read more about knee sprain introduction

CAUSES

What causes a knee sprain?

Knee sprain is caused by an injury to the knee joint that results in one or more of the ligaments of the joint being stretched excessively. Sports and activities that may involve stress or twisting of the knee joint, including downhill skiing, football, and basketball, may increase your risk of sustaining a knee sprain. A knee sprain can also result from a blow to the knee or from a fall in which you land on your knees.... Read more about knee sprain causes

TREATMENTS

How is a knee sprain treated?

Many cases of knee sprain can be treated at home with rest, ice packs, and over-the-counter pain relief medications. More-serious cases may require treatment with a brace or other device to help you keep the knee immobilized. In some cases, a combination of these methods will be used by your treatment team. Knee sprains are treatable, and it is important to exactly follow the treatment plan that your health care team has designed specifically for your injury.... Read more about knee sprain treatments