Treating a Knee Sprain

Knee Sprain Diagnosis

 

A knee sprain is usually diagnosed after a series of hospital tests, most commonly a range of motion test and x-ray. The first and foremost duty of physicians is to rule out any obvious problems that could mimic the pain and tenderness associated with a knee sprain. Generally, this refers to torn ligaments and fractures. Patients need to refrain from self-diagnosing, as it is too simple to mistake a hairline fracture for a knee sprain.

 

When you experience an actual knee sprain, you will have caused injury to the ligaments that are surrounding the joint of your knee. This is easier done than you may realize. In some cases, it takes little more than stepping over the home’s threshold in a manner that provides an unsafe landing for your foot. In other cases, it is a sports injury or even a latent predisposition to ligament injuries that cause a knee sprain to occur in a situation where other patients might suffer only mild discomfort.

 

Knee Sprain Signs

 

Signs of suffering from a knee sprain vary, although one common denominator is the swelling of the knee area and the pain associated with placing any weight on the affected leg. Other patients notice that their legs tend to buckle toward the side when they are suffering from a knee sprain.

 

A knee sprain may be healed with time. The affected leg should be rested, and it is best to keep the ice pack handy and a billow ready for elevating the leg. Although the milder ligament injuries are not serious, they still take time to heal, and failure to take it easy on the leg with the knee sprain may make matters worse.

 

 

 

 

Why Immobility Is Not the Answer for Knee Sprains

 

It is crucial to remember that complete immobility is just as harmful to a leg with a knee sprain as overdoing it with activity. To heal, the knee needs to be properly exercised to keep the ligaments stretching and accustomed to the exercises that come naturally.  Knee psychical therapy is common treatment to overcome such injuries without the use of pain killers and could help you avoid surgery.

 

Knee physical therapy consists of hands-on treatment to loosen muscles and joints, education on proper walking and movement to decrease pain, instruction on stretching and strengthening exercises to restore mobility and strength. Modalities such as electrical stimulation, cold/heat packs and ultrasound may also be required.

 

An experienced physical therapist my recommend specific exercises to rebuild strength in the knee and let. Recommended exercises can include quad sets and straight leg raises, short arc quads and exercises to strengthen your hips (Your hip muscles help control the position of your knees. Weakness here may cause knee pain.) Other recommended exercises include lower extremity stretches and balance exercises.
Regaining the right balance is essential to mobility and can help prevent re-injuring the knee.

 

An experienced physical therapist can guide the patient with a recovery plan that will produce the best results for healing a knee sprain naturally.

 

 

 

 

About Author: Dr. Scott Gray

 

Dr. Scott Gray is an internationally recognized and expert physical therapist specializing in sport, athletic, and back and neck injuries. He is the inventor of a revolutionary form of treatment called the GRAY METHOD. This type of treatment unlike others, addresses the CAUSE rather than just your SYMPTOMS with a full body approach. For more information on how to ease or overcome your injury, go to www.backinmotionsspt.com.