For example, many visitors to New York City develop muscle strains in their knees from walking more than they might at home. A knee tear is an injury to one of the ligaments or layers of cartilage that supports and stabilizes the knee. A knee tear may be partial, in which some of the structure is damaged, or complete, in which a ligament or meniscus is torn in two or separates from the bone.
Knee tears are common injuries among athletes, especially those who participate in contact sports that involve sudden changes in direction or tackling. Skiing may also increase the risk of a knee tear because a fall can cause the knee to twist sideways, damaging internal structures.
A knee tear can also occur as a result of a fall, a misstep, or a car accident. Doctors categorize the severity of a knee tear on a scale of one to three. Grade one indicates a mild injury, grade two indicates a partial tear, and grade three indicates a complete tear. Some mild knee tears may not limit your ability to walk or cause serious discomfort. Others may cause significant pain and prevent you from putting weight on the knee. The cruciate ligaments are two strong, short ligaments located in the center of the knee joint.
Together, these ligaments help stabilize the knee. An injury to the ACL is the most common type of knee tear and frequently occurs as the result of athletic activity. Sports that require sudden changes in direction, such as the pivoting movements common in soccer and basketball, can lead to too much force being placed on the ACL, causing it to tear.
The PCL is stronger and less likely to tear than the other ligaments in the knee. The ACL is often injured when you play a running or contact sport like soccer, basketball, football, or gymnastics, usually as a result of jumping or twisting suddenly. It can also occur if you over-straighten your knee to an extreme degree or if you get struck by something in the knee or lower leg.
Falling hard on your knee can also cause a PCL sprain. You can sprain your LCL if you receive a blow to the inside of your knee. This is less common than the other types of sprains because your other leg protects this area. An MCL sprain is usually caused by something hitting your leg from the side, or a fall that causes your lower leg to twist outward from your thigh. If you injure your knee, see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will examine your knee, look for swelling and bruising, and ask you to move it around to determine your mobility.
You may also be given imaging tests. This includes the ligaments and other tissues that support it. Knee sprains are rated by severity. An overstretched ligament is grade 1. A partially torn ligament is grade 2. The treatment your doctor recommends will depend on the severity of your injury and what part of your knee was damaged. A doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen.
If the pain is debilitating, you may be prescribed stronger medication. This type of sprain can happen with an unexpected tumble or a bump into a metal object, wall, or strong piece of furniture.
If you fall while your knee is bent, for instance, falling down the stairs or slipping on a piece of ice, a sprain can occur. Car accidents are another situation where knee sprains occur, as your legs are bent while driving or riding in a car. Sometimes a knee sprain will be unavoidable based on the sharp movement or blow to your knee.
Some people are more prone to this injury than others, depending on their physical shape and their flexibility. If a person sprains their knee once, they have an increased risk of doing it again.
There are some precautions people can take to lower the risk of a knee sprain, including:. After the initial sprain, symptoms include:. If you suspect you have sprained your knee, try and restrict movement and physical activity. Your healthcare provider will examine your injured knee and check for swelling, tenderness, discoloration, and fluid inside the knee joint, among other symptoms. He or she may also test your range of motion and the strength of your ligaments.
To determine the source of a more severe injury, your physician may order additional diagnostic tests. The initial visit will likely entail and exam of the knee and x-rays. If there is a concern for significant ligament or cartilage injury, you will be referred on to an orthopedist and may ultimately need an MRI. Menopause and memory: Know the facts.
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