Knee Sprain

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A knee sprain occurs when one or more ligaments in your knee are suddenly stretched or torn. Ligaments are tissues that hold bones together. Ligaments support the knee and keep the joint and bones lined up. They help you to be able to walk, twist and turn. There are four ligaments that help support the knee. Ask your caregiver which of these ligaments was sprained in your knee. A sprain may cause pain, tenderness, swelling or bruising of your knee. Your knee may feel stiff and not able to move as well as it normally does.
  
  
• Sprains are usually caused by a direct hit to knee or from doing activities that twist your knee. Strains often occur during sports such as football, basketball, skiing or hockey. Treatment and recovery time depend on the type and cause of the knee sprain.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. If you feel it is not helping, call your caregiver. Do not quit taking it unless your caregiver tells you to.
  
  
• Keep track of what medicines you are taking and when and why you take them. Bring a list of your medicines or the medicine bottles when you see your caregivers. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicines.
  
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine: This family of medicine is also called NSAIDs. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine may help decrease pain and inflammation (swelling). Some NSAIDs may also be used to decrease a high body temperature (fever). This medicine can be bought with or without a doctor's order. This medicine can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. Always read the medicine label and follow the directions on it before using this medicine.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

How can I treat my knee sprain at home? Treatment includes controlling your pain and swelling first, then beginning rehabilitation (re-hah-bil-ih-TAY-shun). Rehabilitation includes physical therapy exercises. These may be done over a number of weeks or months to help you return to your regular sports and activities. Your treatment plan may include one or more of the following:

• R.I.C.E.: R.I.C.E. is a four-step treatment plan that you can follow. R est, I ce, C ompress, and E levate your knee to decrease swelling and help it heal.
  
  
  • Rest. The most important part of treating a knee injury is resting your knee. This will decrease swelling and allow the injury to heal. When the pain decreases, begin normal, slow movements. Caregivers may tell you to stop any activity that causes you pain as you use your knee more.
    
    
  • Ice. Ice causes blood vessels to constrict (get small) which helps decrease inflammation (swelling, pain, and redness). Put crushed ice in a plastic bag or use a bag of frozen corn or peas. Cover it with a towel. Put this on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day. Do this for two to three days or until the pain goes away. Do not sleep on the ice pack because you can get frostbite.
    
    
  • Compress. You may need to wear an elastic bandage. This helps keep your injured knee from moving too much while it heals. You can loosen or tighten the elastic bandage to make it comfortable. It should be tight enough for you to feel support. It should not be so tight that it causes your toes to be numb or tingly. If you are wearing an elastic bandage, take it off and rewrap it once a day.
    
    
  • Elevate. Lie down and elevate (raise) your knee by propping it on soft pillows. Raising it to a level above your heart may help decrease the swelling.
  
  
• Brace: You may need to wear a brace to keep your injured knee from moving too much while it heals. Use the brace as directed by your caregiver.
  
  
  • You may remove the brace each day to bathe. Put your brace back on as soon as possible.
    
    
  • You can loosen or tighten the brace to make it comfortable. It should be tight enough for you to feel support. It should not be so tight that it causes your toes to be numb or tingly.
    
    
  • Move your toes and foot several times an hour to prevent joint stiffness.
  
  
• Crutches: You may be given crutches to use until you can put weight on your knee (stand using that leg) without pain.
  
  
• Heat: After two or three days, you may try using heat to decrease knee pain and stiffness. Use a hot water bottle, heating pad, whirlpool, or warm, moist compress. To make a compress, dip a clean washcloth in warm water. Wring out the extra water and put it on your knee for 15 to 20 minutes, three to four times each day.
  
  
• Rehabilitation exercises:
  
  
  • Your caregiver may want you to go to physical therapy. A physical therapist can do special treatments and exercises to help your knees heal and move better. Your caregiver or a physical therapist may teach you special exercises to do at home. You may be told to start doing these exercises once your pain and swelling have decreased. Exercises are important for preventing stiffness, decreasing swelling, and helping your normal knee movement to return. You may be told to do these exercises two or three times each day.
    
    
  • As your knee continues to heal, you will learn new exercises to help strengthen and stretch your knee. You may use equipment including weights, exercise bikes and treadmills to help make the muscles around your knee stronger. The muscles around your knee are the calf, thigh, and ankle muscles. Making these muscles strong can help support your knee and protect your knee from more injury. Following your rehabilitation plan as directed by your caregivers will help you return to your usual activities sooner.

How can I take care of my knees and help prevent another knee sprain? Knee sprains often cannot be prevented, but doing the following may help protect your knee from injury:

• Always ask your caregiver before you start exercising. Do not start exercising until your caregiver says it is OK. If you start exercising too soon after your knee sprain, you may damage your knee more. Damaging your knee more can lead to long-term knee problems.
  
  
• Slowly start your exercise or sports training program as directed by your caregiver. Gradually (slowly) increase time, distance and training. Sudden increases in training may cause you to injure your knee again.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver if you should wear a brace to support and protect your knee during training.
  
  
• Warm up and stretch before exercising. Warm up by walking or using an exercise bike before starting your regular exercise. Do gentle stretches after warming up. This helps to loosen your muscles and decrease stress on your knee. Cool down and stretch after exercising.
  
  
• Keep your leg muscles strong by doing special exercises. Having strong calf, thigh and ankle muscles can help support your knee. Your caregiver can help you plan an exercise program to build your leg muscles and keep them strong.
  
  
• Wear shoes that fit correctly and support your feet. Replace your running or exercise shoes before the padding or shock absorption is worn out. Ask you caregiver which exercise shoes are best for you. Ask if you should wear special shoe inserts. Shoe inserts can help support your heels, arches, or keep your foot lined up correctly in your shoes. Exercise on even (flat) surfaces.
  
  
• Wear protective equipment. If you are playing a sport, wear the right type of protective gear. For example, wear pads and helmet for football or hockey. Keep yourself in good physical shape to decrease the chance of injury while playing your sport.
  
  
• Stay at a normal weight. Ask your caregiver what weight is right for you. Ask for information about eating a healthy diet to help stay at the best weight for you.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• The bruising or swelling in your knee is getting worse.
  
  
• Your pain is getting worse.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The skin on your lower leg or foot is turning white or blue, and feels cool when you touch it.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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