Can you jar your knee

Sudden twists or excessive force on the knee joint, commonly caused by repeated jumping or coming to a rapid halt while running, can stretch ligaments beyond their capacity.

Torn ligaments can bleed into the knee and typically cause swelling, pain and joint laxity. The anterior cruciate ligament ACL situated in the centre of the joint is the knee ligament commonly injured. A ruptured ACL does not heal by itself and may require reconstructive surgery.

Tendon tears The muscles are anchored to the joints with tendons. Overstretched tendons can tear and bleed, but these injuries tend to heal by themselves without the need for surgery.

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. The damaged cartilage can be surgically trimmed or even removed without causing any joint instability. Patello-femoral pain syndrome Patello-femoral pain syndrome is characterised by pain felt behind the kneecap.

Squatting, walking up and down hills or stairs, or sitting still for extended periods of time can exacerbate the pain.

The usual cause is abnormal movement of the kneecap as the knee is bent and straightened. This can lead to wear and tear of the cartilage on the back of the kneecap. Imbalances in muscle strength, tight muscles and structural abnormalities of the lower limb can contribute to the problem. The pain usually comes on gradually over time. First aid for knee injuries in the first 48 to 72 hours Suggestions for first aid treatment of an injured knee include: Stop your activity immediately.

This is necessary to improve joint stability, full range of motion and your knee strength. Recovery time is dependent on the ligament injured and the severity of the injury.

Your well-being is important to us. Click the button below or call us to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists. If your injury or condition is recent, you can walk right into one of our Raleigh Orthopaedic Urgent Care locations for immediate care. For rehabilitation and physical therapy, no referral is needed to see one of our physical therapists. Types of knee sprains Most knee sprains can be treated without surgery, but severe sprains may require surgical intervention.

Grade 1 Sprains: The ligament is mildly damaged and slightly stretched but is still able to help keep the knee joint stable. Grade 2 Sprains: The ligament is stretched to the point where it becomes loose, often referred to as a partial tear. An elastic bandage can also help with swelling, but be sure not to wrap your knee too tightly because it can cut off your blood circulation.

If the wrap makes the pain worse, your knee starts to get numb, or your lower leg swells up, loosen the bandage. The doctor may give you a brace to protect your knee and stabilize it while it heals. This will keep you from moving it too much or over-stretching it. A doctor or physical therapist may recommend exercises based on the extent of your injury and where you are in your recovery:.

If the ligament is torn, you may need surgery. This process usually involves reattaching the torn ligament or replacing it with a piece of healthy tendon. The surgeon will make a few small incisions and drill little holes in your calf and thigh bones.

The graft is attached to the bones, which will grow around it. Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks. People who need surgery, however, may take as long as four to six months to recover. About 80 to 90 percent of people with ACL injuries and 80 percent of those with PCL injuries will experience a full recovery. While most knee sprains will heal without surgery, avoid the temptation to go back to your normal activities or playing sports without letting your knee heal completely.

That can cause problems later on. Performing the recommended physical therapy exercises can help you get back to doing what you love. Having overweight can put strain on the knees and increase the risk of osteoarthritis OA. Find out why and get some tips on losing weight. Due to the different degrees of knee sprains, it can often be hard for people to recognize whether or not their knee sprain can be treated at home, or if a visit to the doctor recommended.

To help you through this painful time, we put this post together to provide information on knee sprains, and advice for how to get through it.

At the Urgency Room , we want to be your destination for excellent medical treatment. A knee sprain occurs when one or more ligaments in your knee are suddenly stretched. If the ligament stretches too much, it can tear, which is a very serious injury that requires surgery most of the time to repair the ligament.

Ligaments are tissues that hold bones together. In your knee, ligaments support the knee and keep the joint and bones in the correct position. The bones they hold in place are your femur, tibia, and patella.

Your knee has four ligaments that work in unison to structure your knee and allow for movement. A sprain can occur to any of the ligaments.