Definition
A twisted knee is most often caused by sports injuries. Sports where the risk of such an injury is particularly high are skiing, soccer and martial arts (for example judo, wrestling). The athlete falls on the bent or stretched knee, putting it in an unphysiological position. Due to the enormous forces acting on the joint at this moment, considerable injuries of the structures inside and around the knee joint can occur. Particularly at risk are the cruciate ligaments as well as the inner and outer ligaments of the knee joint, the joint capsule, the menisci and the surrounding musculature.
What to do with a twisted knee? Is it dangerous?
The result of the trauma is usually severe pain, swelling and overheating of the joint as well as blood and/or joint effusions. Based on the patient’s acute symptoms, it is not possible to determine directly which structures in the joint have been damaged. However, this information is essential for choosing the correct therapy, which is why a thorough physical examination and often also imaging (X-ray, MRI) are indicated.
If the knee joint has been twisted, the first step is to interrupt physical activity and elevate and cool the affected joint. If severe pain occurs, a doctor should be consulted as a precaution. This is especially true if the joint swells or bruises form.
The doctor can determine whether a more serious injury to structures of the knee joint has occurred. The respective therapy then depends on this. A twisted knee, in which the ligaments have merely been overstretched without any damage to the ligaments, menisci or joint capsule, can be treated conservatively and does not require surgery.
The most important measure then continues to be cooling and elevating the affected knee to prevent further swelling. In addition, the cold has a pain-relieving effect. If the patient is in severe pain, he can take painkillers to bridge the gap.
Suitable preparations include ibuprofen, paracetamol or, for even stronger pain, Novaminsulfon®. If the knee joint cannot be loaded due to pain, crutches can be used temporarily. If the twisting of the joint has led to a more serious injury, for example a torn ligament, injury to the inner or outer meniscus or damage to the joint capsule, it must be decided individually whether surgery is necessary.
Meniscus injuries are treated surgically if they are severe. Ruptures of the cruciate ligament must also usually be operated on in order to guarantee the stability of the knee joint in the future. The attending physician will decide what is the right therapy for the respective patient based on the individual findings and the clinical symptoms of the patient.
Following surgery, physiotherapy is then necessary to restore optimal mobility and stability in the knee joint. For some time, the patient must use crutches and wear a splint, so that the load on the joint can be slowly increased again. Painkillers help to relieve the pain after the operation.
- Torn ligament in the knee joint
- Acute knee pain – This may be behind it
- Cruciate ligament overstretched
All articles in this series:
