Knee Sprain

What is Knee Sprain

Knee sprain is a stretch or tear in a knee ligament. Knee ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bones in the knee to each other.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint or brace:

  • Wear the splint or brace as told by your doctor. Remove it only as told by your doctor.
  • Loosen the splint or brace if your toes tingle, get numb, or turn cold and blue.
  • Keep the splint or brace clean.
  • If the splint or brace is not waterproof:
    • Do not let it get wet.
    • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

If you have a cast:

  • Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin.
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your doctor about any concerns.
  • You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
  • Keep the cast clean.
  • If the cast is not waterproof:
    • Do not let it get wet.
    • Cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • Gently move your toes often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your doctor.
  • If directed, put ice on the injured area.
    • If you have a removable splint or brace, remove it as told by your doctor.
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag or between your cast and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times a day.

General instructions

  • Do exercises as told by your doctor.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your doctor. This is important.

Contact a doctor if:

  • You have pain that gets worse.
  • The cast, brace, or splint does not fit right.
  • The cast, brace, or splint gets damaged.

Get help right away if:

  • You cannot lean on your knee to stand or walk.
  • You cannot move the injured area.
  • You knee buckles or you have pain after you walk only a few steps.
  • You have very bad pain, swelling, or numbness below the cast, brace, or splint.

Summary

  • A knee sprain is a stretch or tear in a band (ligament) that connects your knee bones to each other.
  • You may need to wear a splint, brace, or cast to help your knee get better.
  • Contact your doctor if you have very bad pain, swelling, or numbness, or if you cannot walk.
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