Sprain Of The Knee: Causes, Symptoms And Recommendations

A sprain of the knee is actually a generic name for other more specific injuries that occur in this joint. A sprain of the knee does not actually exist as its treatment depends on the injured ligament. In fact, it is a very complex part of the body, especially its soft tissues.

Doctors consider it a sprain when ligaments are stretched more than they can handle. They exceed their limits, resulting in an injury. This leads to the loss of their characteristic elasticity.

In the case of the knee, the cruciate ligaments (which are internally articulated), the external transverse ligaments (on the outside) or the inner bifurcated ligaments can be stretched.

Causes of disappearance of the knee

Sprain of the knee can have different causes, especially if we take into account that each ligament has a special mechanism that can be damaged. The cruciate ligaments are not damaged in the same way as the transverse ligaments.

Athletes are the most exposed, and within each discipline there is a greater or lesser risk of damaging one or more tissues. But as we are all aware,  it is also possible to suffer from an injury at home and during accidents in everyday life.

Think, for example, of a foot that gets caught under a loose rock, and as a result, the leg will rotate around itself. Contact sports such as football also involve a higher risk of injury to the cruciate ligaments.

Another common cause is frontal collisions in traffic accidents, which involve straining the legs. In the case of the transverse ligaments, people who play  sports such as rugby are more likely to have sprains due to the push from the side that the players give each other.

Different degrees of sprain of the knee

Sprain of the knee is classified in degrees based on how severe they are. This classification is common in sprains of ligaments and determines the treatment.

First-degree sprains

First-degree sprains are the mildest form. In general, the person suffering from this has tolerable symptoms which are nothing more than mild pain and a bit of immobility. It happens when the person stretches some fibers in the ligaments, but not all of them. There is also no rupture, so a hematoma is unlikely to appear in the area.

Second-degree sprains

According to traumatological classification, this degree of knee sprain involves a rupture in which more than half of the ligament is involved. The functional impotence is moderate and activity cannot be performed. The pain is paralyzing, so one is forced to rest.

Third degree sprains

The most severe form is rupture of ligaments. It is typically a complete rupture of one of the cruciate ligaments or the transverse ligaments. The situation of serious and involves an operation to repair the damage.

The person can no longer use his knee until they have rested and it is healed. Hematomas can occur, indicating destruction.

Symptoms of sprain of the knee

We can say that the  pain is the characteristic sign of these sprains,  no matter what ligament is involved. What can vary is the location of the discomfort and the extent to which it occurs with one or the other movement. The cruciate ligaments are connected with movement back and forth, while the other movements are connected with the other ligaments.

The functional limitation will depend on how severe it is. With milder forms, one can continue to walk, even if one cannot run. In the case of a second-degree sprain, rest is largely mandatory.

The knee and its soft tissues may become swollen. This changes with the position that the person holds. When the lower limbs are stretched out and lifted, fluid is dispersed and, thanks to gravity, the area is drained.

Fortunately, this also relieves pain. On the other hand,  if the person is not resting, the inflammation increases and puts pressure on the nerves and arteries.

The hematoma is variable. Ligaments have no vascularization, so rupture does not cause any subcutaneous flow of blood, although the surrounding tissues contribute to this. In a second-degree and third-degree sprain, it is common to see changes in the color of the skin due to an extravasation of blood.

Possible treatments for sprain of the knee

Although the treatment of sprain of the knee depends on the affected ligaments and how severe it is, some measures are quite common in all forms:

• Medications:  Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed by doctors to relieve symptoms. They do not solve the primary problem, but they do relieve the pain.
• Rest:  It is one of the keys to rest. We should rest the joint to promote natural healing as much as possible. When there is destruction, rest is prescribed while waiting for an operation.
• Immobilization:  The use of a bandage can help to resume fluid that was recovered, as well as to put pressure on the knee to relieve the pain. In the more severe cases, specialists choose a rigid plaster or another system with external rails to ensure stability. Elastic splints for the knees are a good solution for first-degree injuries.
• Surgery:  A third degree sprain of the knee requires surgery. It is necessary to repair ruptured ligaments with an intervention. The surgeon will determine the best technique to promote the subsequent healing. As with any other complicated injury, healing is usually slow.

Healing after a disappearance of the knee

The healing process of a sprained knee goes through various stages. The first is rest, which is almost mandatory for everyone. However, patients should respect this to ensure a development that will restore their quality of life.

In any case, it is necessary to consider the slow healing for this injury. One month is standard, but if you have undergone surgery, it can take twice as long.

You may have to wait even longer if you are thinking of resuming demanding sports activities, which involves a rehabilitation plan that can last between three and six months.

With regard to physiotherapy, the physiotherapist defines the approach. Mechanical and manual maneuvers can be performed, or one can incorporate ultrasound and magnetism. The patient should go for at least 10 sessions.

Can these sprains be prevented?

In sports, injury prevention during exercise is a topic that is mentioned in a myriad of studies. The truth is that  sprain of the knee can be prevented by making reservations within exercise,  warming up and exhaustion of muscles.

However, there are accidents that are just inevitable, as the name suggests. We can reduce the risk of an accident if we use appropriate footwear, but it does not eliminate all risks. For example, someone might run into us and then there is nothing we can do about it.

Physical fitness is also a form of protection. People with strong muscles in the legs are less likely to suffer from a sprain  because these tissues act as stabilizers for the joints.

In case of pain or inflammation in the knee, it is  advisable to go to a specialist. One may notice a first-degree sprain when it occurs or it may develop slowly. An early consultation is another form of prevention that the injury develops and that further ligament damage occurs in relation to the initial injury.