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Among the possible injuries, sprains are the most common. Given the anatomical features, a constant load most often damages the knee, ankle or joints of the hands. The clinic of sprains and fractures is similar, but the former are statistically more often recorded, the severity of which is mistakenly underestimated.
What is stretch
There are several ligaments in the knee joint, each of which performs certain actions:
- collateral – medial and lateral;
- cruciform – front and back;
- patellar ligaments.
Their main function is to hold and unite the joint into a single structure, to provide mobility. Ligaments are involved in walking, squats and other movements. A tear in one or more knee ligaments is called a sprain.
Causes of a knee sprain in adults
Common among all the causes contributing to the sprain will be an excessive load on the anatomical structures of the joint. And it can be provided:
Movement. Sharp jumps, jumps, exercises without a warm-up, prolonged stay in heels are a predisposing factor for injuries. At risk are not only professional athletes, but also ordinary people.
Hits and injuries. Often found in sports, for example, when playing football. You can get injured when you hit your knee, especially from the back, front or side. Another possible cause of injury is an incorrectly set step, for example, when the leg literally falls through due to an incorrect assessment of the height. The muscles and ligaments of the joint are not ready and stretching occurs.
Chronic strain of ligaments. Previous injuries, especially in the absence of proper treatment and rehabilitation, postural imbalance are the reasons that not only lead to sprain, but also predispose to it. Postural imbalance is an imbalance of the body, which has many causes: excess weight, curvature of the spine, malocclusion, lack of chewing teeth, then the body changes balance compensatory and puts a large load on the knee joint.
Incorrect exercises. There are many sports and yoga gurus on the network who broadcast live and develop sets of exercises for everyone. However, they cannot control their implementation and suggest how to perform them correctly. The consequences of such actions can be fatal and lead to sprains and other consequences.
Symptoms of knee sprain in adults
Pain is the first and most obvious symptom of a knee sprain. Sometimes a characteristic crunch is heard at the time of injury. By the way, this indicates the involvement of the meniscus. Any physical impact, for example, an attempt to walk causes an increase in acute pain. Its severity at rest depends on the severity, as well as the number of structures involved.
Swelling and redness gradually increase, which is explained by the formation of an inflammatory reaction. In case of serious damage, hemorrhage into the joint is possible, and hemarthrosis develops. Patients may feel joint instability – pathological mobility appears, which is accompanied by a crunch or other sounds, or, conversely, stiffness.
Symptoms also depend on the area of damage, that is, the specific ligament:
- when the cruciate is stretched, severe pain is characteristic in front and behind the knee, pathological mobility. A characteristic symptom will be a sensation of subluxation, the joint as if out of place;
- damage to the collateral ligament is characterized by the appearance of pain in the inner or outer surface of the joint. Such damage is less common. Sometimes there is a combined sprain of the lateral and cruciate ligaments, in which case the symptoms are more pronounced.
Treatment of a knee sprain in adults
Based on the diagnostic data, a treatment strategy is developed. Usually the following algorithm is taken as the basis:
- drug therapy with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- measures aimed at preventing complications;
- surgical treatment prescribed for serious joint injuries, such as ruptures.
In case of minor injuries of the knee joint that occur without violating the integrity of the ligaments, it is sufficient to take a protective regimen and take medications aimed at stopping pain and inflammation – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, multivitamins, etc. Physiotherapy must be prescribed, which must be carried out within a month.
Diagnostics
The resulting symptoms may not tell the exact extent of the complexity and area of damage, especially if the sprain is combined with other injuries. Therefore, in addition to questioning and palpation, additional examination methods are necessarily prescribed:
- radiography – the pictures show violations of the integrity of the joint, you can assess the condition of the ligaments;
- CT, MRI – the examination reveals even the slightest changes and damage;
- Ultrasound – performed to detect signs of inflammation, determine the amount of synovial fluid;
- arthroscopy – allows you to examine the joint and its ligaments from the inside, to assess their integrity.
Modern treatments
They are aimed not only at eliminating the pain syndrome, but also at the timely prevention of complications and rehabilitation. In the first few days after stretching, rest is recommended, however, on the 3rd – 5th day, you can start a set of physical therapy exercises aimed at speedy recovery and return of mobility.
Rehabilitation measures are developed only by a doctor, because many nuances must be taken into account – the cause of the injury, the severity, the patient’s condition, etc.
Prevention of knee sprain in adults at home
The main rule of prevention is not to try to repeat the complex exercises that are distributed on the Internet on your own. The specialists themselves, perhaps, perform them correctly, but if mistakes occur during repetition, then at best there will be no effect, at worst, injuries occur. Exercises should be carried out only under the guidance of a specialist – a physical therapy doctor, a movement consultant or a fitness trainer.
Of great importance is the prevention of household injuries, in which the knee or any other joint may suffer.
Popular questions and answers
Knee sprains are a common and serious problem that requires attention from a doctor. We asked the most popular questions to experts.
How to provide first aid for sprained knee?
You can immobilize the limb with the help of improvised means, for example, use hard cardboard and an elastic bandage – you need to apply it from the upper third of the thigh to the ankle joint. It is recommended to apply cold to the joint itself to reduce swelling, a slight analgesic effect.
Then you need to see a doctor.
When to See a Doctor for a Knee Sprain?
As practice shows, in this case, serious and long-term treatment may be required, possibly even surgical, because with complete ruptures, there are no other treatment options. And the sooner assistance is provided, the better the forecasts.
How long does it take to recover from a knee sprain?
These orthopedic devices set or limit the range of motion and are actively used in rehabilitation for various injuries and bruises. But if we are talking about more serious injuries, then rehabilitation can last several months.
Rehabilitation after injury involves isometric exercises, that is, load without movement. Such exercises can be performed exclusively under the supervision of a specialist, because the price of a mistake is high.
The exercise therapy doctor will select a set of rotational movements in the ankle joint, isometric tension of the calf muscles. Moreover, such a load, which is sometimes called “playing with the patella,” can be carried out from 2 to 3 days after the injury, but rest is recommended before that.
What are the complications of a knee sprain?
inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint as a result of injury.
But all these risks can be avoided with timely treatment and a full range of rehabilitation.