Knee Strains/Sprains
A tear to your ligament or knee muscle can result in pain that will hinder your daily activities such as walking or bending to put your shoes on. If you’re an athlete, this can stop you from participating in sports. Seeing a physical therapist when you suspect a tear is very important. The quicker your knee is evaluated and treatment plans are created, the quicker it is for your knee to heal properly, and for you to return to your normal activities. Contact a physical therapist today to learn how you can get rid of your knee pain without harmful pain relievers or surgery.
What is Knee Strain or Sprain?
Sprain and strain have been used interchangeably to describe the tearing and stretching of the tissues around the joints, but they are different. A knee sprain is a tear in the hip ligaments. Your ligaments are bands of tissues that help to connect the bones in your knee joint. Whereas, a knee strain is the tearing or overstretching of the knee muscles or tendons. Your tendons are dense tissues that connect bones to muscles.
Knee Strains/ sprains Diagnosis
A physical therapist at Polygon PT will evaluate your knee joint, as well as your hip or ankle joint to determine the location and severity of the tear. You may sustain other knee injuries when you have a tear, therefore, imaging tests such as X-ray or MRI-scan might be recommended. We will walk closely with your doctor to achieve this.
Causes and Risk Factors of Knee Strains or Sprains
Knee strain/sprain can be caused by several factors. They include:
Overuse
Injuries to the knee from falls or other types of trauma such as motor vehicle accidents
A direct hit or blow to the knee joint
Risk factors that can contribute to knee strains or sprains are: