A sprained knee is an injury due to overextension, tearing or rupturing of the ligaments in the knee. This is a common traumatic type of injury that can result from the application of a sudden force to the knee (e.g. a tackle in rugby or football) or a fall that causes the knee to twist in an awkward fashion.
Typical symptoms of a sprained knee are pain, tenderness, swelling ,bruising and stiffness in the knee area. Treatment of mild or moderate knee sprains usually involves protecting and resting the knee, as well as icing, compression and knee elevation. Doctors may also prescribe over the counter pain relief medication if the pain is especially severe. A severe sprain that involves rupturing of the ligaments may require surgical correction.
As with many other types of sprain, the degree of severity of a knee sprain can be classified as one of grades I, II or III:
The knee has four major ligaments – the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL & PCL) and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL & LCL).
The function of the ACL & PCL is to stabilize the knee against front to back or back to front forces or blows. ACL and PCL sprains are usually due to blows or forces to the front or back of the knee such as a sudden stop or knee hyperextension. ACL sprains can also be the result of impacts to the outside of the knee, as well as sudden twisting of the knee while it is still slightly bent.
The MCL & LCL protect the knee against left to right or right to left forces or blows. As a result, MCL sprains can be caused by sideways blows to the outer knee or by a fall that causes the lower leg to twist outward relative to the upper leg. LCL sprains are relatively uncommon because they are usually caused by blows or forces exerted on the inside of the knee and that side of the knee is usually protected by the opposing knee.
The forces or blows that lead to a sprained knee typically occur during contact sports such as football, basketball & rugby. They are also common in sports such as skiing or gymnastics in which bodily pivoting or twisting of the joint are common.
Another event that may cause a PCL sprain is a motor vehicle collision in which a front seat occupant hits his or her knee on the dashboard.
Symptoms of a sprained knee typically include the following:
Treating a knee sprain that falls into the grade I or II categories usually involves applying the P.R.I.C.E. approach within 48-72 hours of injury :
It is also advisable to avoid HARM for 72 hours after the injury:
This can include:
Once healing of the knee sprain injury has progressed sufficiently, the patient should begin to work with a physiotherapist to rehabilitate the knee. This process will help to strengthen the muscles around the knee and its supporting ligaments as you prepare to resume normal use of the joint.
The patient should get a medical opinion after 5-7 days if there is:
If the knee sprain falls into the grade III category, the conservative P.R.I.C.E. approach may not be sufficient. In this case, surgery may be necessary to repair the torn ligament. To do this, surgeons may use a piece of healthy ligament from the patient’s knee (or a piece of ligament from a donor) to reconstruct the damaged ligament. This type of surgery usually utilizes knee arthroscopy in which the surgeon uses a tiny camera to guide the instruments he or she is using. The surgical approach is most common in cases of ACL or PCL sprains, which tend to be the most severe knee sprain injuries.
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With its soft neoprene blend, the Closed Patella Knee Sleeve delivers even compression and soothing warmth. Replaces the 424 Knee Sleeve.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Green Adjustable Knee Brace offers maximum support for weak knees, injured knees, and arthritic knees. One size. Fits either knee.
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Supportive steel springs support both sides of the knee, yet still allow leg flexion and extension. So with the Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Knee Brace, you get the support you need without hampering your flexibility. Recommended to help control sublaxating patellas and to help support stiff, sore or unstable knees.
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The Mueller Hg80 Knee Support has a lightweight design that allows continued knee flexibility and mobility. The comfort oriented design also includes a permanently bonded anti microbial barrier (to control perspiration and unpleasant odours) and built in moisture management.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Premium Hinged Knee Brace has lightweight and neoprene-free breathable fabric with maximum medial-lateral support to help protect weak or injured knees.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hg80 Premium Knee Stabilizer has lightweight and neoprene-free breathable fabric with maximum medial-lateral support to help protect weak or injured knees.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hinged Knee Brace features a triaxial hinge to track your knee’s natural movement. The fitted sleeve slips on and provides maximum medial-lateral support of your weak or injured knee. Fits either knee.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Hinged WrapAround Knee Brace features a triaxial hinge to track your knee’s natural movement. The fitted sleeve slips on and provides maximum medial-lateral support of your weak or injured knee. Fits either knee.
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The McDavid Knee Brace With Dual Disk Hinges has an open 360˚ padded buttress that isolates and supports the patella and bound edges prevent irritation. In addition, a perforated back panel provides heat and moisture management and all-around comfort.
Level 3: Maximum Protection – Moderate medial and lateral support for improving stability; aids in recovery
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The McDavid Knee Brace With Polycentric Hinges has bi-lateral geared polycentric hinges for stability and free movement. Its engineered top and bottom straps assure a personalized fit, which enhances user comfort.
Level 3: Maximum Protection – High-level support; improving medial and lateral stability, helping reduce injury and assist recovery
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve/4-Way Elastic With Gel Buttress has a 4-way stretch elastic material that allows for increased compression and fit without heat retention.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support and relief from pain associated with arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
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The McDavid Knee Sleeve / 4-Way Elastic With Gel Buttresses & Stays has a 4-way stretch elastic material that provides increased compression and a closer fit without heat retention.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support and relief from pain associated with arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis
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The LP Support Knee Stabilizer has bilateral stays for optimum joint support and a hook and loop closure design that facilitates compression adjustment when needed. This neoprene based knee support will also keep the joint warm, thus reducing stiffness and maintaining supple ligaments to reduce the risk of sprains.
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The McDavid Knee Support With Stays has a padded buttress that supports the patella. Spring steel stays provide reinforced support and elastic hook and loop straps ensure an outstanding fit. There is an exterior layer of nylon fabric for durability.
Level 2: Advanced Protection – Moderate support helping to relieve symptoms and aid recovery from chondromalacia, patellar subluxation and tendonitis
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The Bio Skin Patella Stabilizer is an excellent choice to treat anterior knee pain and other knee problems. Constructed from Bio Skin’s patented, breathable materials, the patella stabilizer gives excellent compression to control swelling and decrease pain in the knee. The donut shaped buttresses stabilize the patella and help keep swelling away from the knee joint. The brace is comfortable to wear and stays in place even during vigorous activity.
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Relief and support for sore knees with performance foam patellar ring
The Bio Skin Patella Stabilizer with Conforma Hinge is an excellent choice to treat anterior knee pain and other knee problems. Constructed from Bio Skin’s patented, breathable materials, the patella stabilizer gives excellent compression to control swelling and decrease pain in the knee. The donut shaped buttresses stabilize the patella and help keep swelling away from the knee joint. The brace is comfortable to wear and stays in place even during vigorous activity.
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DynaPro Porous Zinc Oxide Tape will offer security under the most demanding conditions while being comfortable to wear and presenting less irritation to sensitive skin.
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The Kinesio Pre Cut Starter Set – Knee, Back, Neck, Wrist,Foot, Shoulder combo set includes a Kinesio Pre Cut for the wrist, knee, neck, foot, back and shoulder. Each pre cut comes with instructions and illustrated guides to help you apply the tape for maximum benefit.
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The Mueller Sports Medicine Self Adjusting Knee Stabilizer features criss-cross straps for consistent support and compression above and below your patella. Fits either knee. One size.
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This 100% cotton triangular bandage measures 40″ x 40″ x 56″, comes with 2 safety pins and should be part of every complete first aid kit.
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Silicone ring helps keep swelling off the joint
The Bio Skin Visco Knee Skin with Conforma Hinge is an excellent all-purpose knee support. The Visco gel ring around the patella provides passive massage to remove swelling and decrease knee pain. The brace is comfortable enough to wear all the time and is very useful a few weeks after knee surgery to control swelling and speed recovery. Constructed fromBio Skin’s patented, breathable materials, the Visco Knee Skin gives excellent compression. Finger loops make application easy.
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Silicone ring helps keep swelling off the joint
The Bio Skin Visco Knee Skin with Thigh & Calf Straps is an excellent all-purpose knee support. The Visco gel ring around the patella provides passive massage to remove swelling and decrease knee pain. The brace is comfortable enough to wear all the time and is very useful a few weeks after knee surgery to control swelling and speed recovery. Constructed fromBio Skin’s patented, breathable materials, the Visco Knee Skin gives excellent compression. Finger loops make application easy.
