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Contents
Introduction–What is Knee Strain
One of the most common events an athlete can have is a knee strain. This is not like a broken bone, torn cartilage, torn ligament or torn tendon. A knee strain is not as serious, and can often be treated at home. So what is a knee strain and how can you heal one if it happens to you?
Causes of Knee Sprains
There are three main causes of a knee strain: overuse, trauma, and poor alignment. Overuse is the most common cause of a knee strain. This happens when you use your muscles and joints too much, and they get tired.
Trauma is another common cause of a knee strain. This happens when you injure your knee by falling or by getting hit by something. Poor alignment is the third common cause of a knee strain. When your bones are not in the correct position, it can put too much stress on your ligaments, which can lead to a strain.
Symptoms of Knee Strains–How Do You Know You Have One?
The three main symptoms of a knee strain are pain, swelling, and stiffness. Pain is the most common symptom, and is usually the first sign that you have injured your knee. Swelling is the second most common symptom, and usually occurs within 24 hours after the injury. Swelling can cause your knee to feel stiff and difficult to move. The third most common symptom is stiffness, which can last for several days after the injury.
The Four Types of Knee Strains
There are four types of knee strains
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) strain
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) strain
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) strain, and
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) strain.
The ACL is a ligament in the middle of your knee. It helps to keep your knee stable. An ACL strain is when this ligament is overstretched or torn. The PCL is a ligament on the back of your knee. It helps to keep your knee stable. A PCL strain is when this ligament is overstretched or torn.
The MCL is a ligament on the inner side of your knee. It helps to keep your knee stable. An MCL strain is when this ligament is overstretched or torn. The LCL is a ligament on the outer side of your knee. It helps to keep your knee stable. A LCL strain is when this ligament is overstretched or torn.
How to Heal Knee Strain–Treatment Methods
What to do first–the basics of minimizng knee pain
- Rest
- Ice
- Elevation
If you think you have a knee strain, the first thing you should do is rest the injured area. This means that you should stop any activity that is causing pain and swelling. And try using exercise machines that protect your knees.You should also ice the injured area to help reduce swelling. Place a bag of ice on your knee for 20 minutes, and then wait at least 40 minutes before icing it again.
You can also consider using some pain reliever such as paracetomol or a natural herb, like turmeric.
You can also wrap an ice pack or bag of frozen vegetables in a towel and place it on your knee.
You should also elevate your knee to help reduce swelling. Place a pillow or rolled-up blanket under your knee when you are sitting or lying down.
What to Expect from a Knee Strain
A common question athletes have is, “How long does it take to heal a knee strain?” The answer will vary depending on the severity of the injury. Generally, if you rest your injured area and ice your knee immediately after the accident, you should be able to resume activity within one week. If you try to go back too soon or do not rest your injured area, you can cause further damage. If you continue to have pain and swelling after a week, it may be best to consult with a doctor.
The material on this website is intended for educational information purposes only. It should not be seen as definitive, but as part of research process. It should not substitute or delay medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.