Knee Sprain Symptoms to Watch Out For
A knee sprain happens when the ligaments and bands of tissue around the knee suffer damage. Most often, knee sprains happen during physical activities or sports. Patients who are seeking treatment for a knee sprain or injury can rely on a doctor, like a knee doctor from Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania, for an evaluation. They will be committed to offering knowledgeable and supportive medical services.
A knee sprain may be greatly hindering your ability to continue performing daily routine tasks. Not being able to walk without experiencing pain or discomfort can quickly become frustrating. Take action towards obtaining better health by contacting a knee doctor to learn more about your personalized and integrative treatment options.
Below are the four main knee ligaments along with common symptoms. Your treatment may vary depending on which ligament is most affected. However, do keep in mind that if one type of ligament is severely damaged, other ligaments may be impacted as well.
Symptoms of Sprains
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
- Popping of the knee at time of injury
- Substantial swelling of the knee up to a few hours after incident
- Discoloration around the knee (black and blue bruising)
- Instability (feeling knee will give out or buckle when standing)
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)
- Mild swelling of the knee
- Knee may or may not have stability
- Problems moving the knee
- Some pain in the back of the knee which increases when kneeling
Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
- Swelling around the knee
- Knee pain
- Buckling of knee toward outside
- Tenderness at inner side of knee
Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
- Swelling around knee
- Knee pain
- Buckling of knee toward inside
- Tenderness at outer side of knee
Physical Exam
A knee doctor can perform an examination of both legs to compare the injured knee to the uninjured knee. He or she can check for signs of tenderness, deformity, swelling, discoloration, and fluid that may have accumulated inside the knee joint. If it does not cause an intolerable amount of pain, they may also evaluate your knee for range of motion. Depending on the physical exam, your doctor may suggest further diagnostic testing. In most cases, an x-ray, MRI, or arthroscopy is performed. During the exam, he or she may also ask you a series of questions to help them better understand what may have led to the knee sprain or injury.
Free Knee Injury Evaluation
Doctors strive to make their patients feel comfortable, relaxed, and confident with their services. Call a knee doctor sooner rather than later, as the longer you wait to see one, the worse your sprain or injury can become.
