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Knee Sprains

What is a knee sprain?

A knee sprain is a stretching or tearing of one of the knee’s ligaments.

The knee is made up of a complex assortment of bones, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles. The three major bones of the knee are the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia), and the kneecap (patella).

In addition to the bones and other structures, the knee is stabilized by ligaments. These ligaments act to prevent movement when the knee is forced beyond its normal range of motion. The main four ligaments of the knee are:

When any one of these ligaments is damaged, it results in a knee sprain.

What causes a knee sprain?

Knee ligaments may be injured during athletic or occupational activities involving sudden force. Knee sprains may be caused by:

What are the symptoms of a knee sprain?

Symptoms of a knee sprain depend on the location of the knee ligaments damaged and the damage’s severity. Some symptoms may include the following:

How is a knee sprain diagnosed?

A discussion of your symptoms, a physical examination, and X-rays are useful for a diagnosis. Your specialist may recommend having an MRI as well.

How is a knee sprain treated?

Depending on the severity of your sprain, your physician may prescribe any of the following:

In cases that don’t respond to these treatments, surgery may be required.

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