What Are the Symptoms of a Sprained Knee?
Symptoms of a sprained knee generally depend on the ligament involved. In most cases, however, a sprain to a knee ligament will be painful and cause swelling. There are three grades of sprain, and the severity of the symptoms will vary depending on the grade. An athlete or physically active person may sometimes feel unstable on the joint and may find that the knee buckles sideways. Other symptoms include tenderness, bruising, and stiffness. The symptoms of a sprained knee can vary between patients because the injury can affect one of several ligaments. If the anterior cruciate ligament is sprained, for example, this is often much more serious than a medical collateral ligament injury. For this reason, the symptoms of a knee sprain can range from minor discomfort and swelling to severe pain and instability that requires surgical intervention. In most cases, a sprained knee refers to a minor injury, although it’s important to get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor.
