Twisted Knee Pain Part 1
A twisted knee can cause pain of varying severity. This level of pain is commonly associated with the cause of the twisted knee. Many occur due to sporting injuries from contact sports and sports that require a sudden change of direction. However, the chances of a knee injury occurring can be increased with factors such as age, previous injury and genetics.
What are the causes of pain and symptoms of a twisted knee?
Twisting the knee alone does not cause a specific injury to result. However, this strain placed on the knee can sprain structures internally, causing them to be weaker and less resilient to trauma. If the knee is twisted or impacted on with a high level of force, there is also the possibility that structures of the knee will tear partially or completely.
A twisted knee can result in one or a combination of injuries ranging in severity, commonly caused by one or a combination of the following:
- Direct impact
- Twisting the knee during a sudden change of direction
- Twisting the knee when landing on the feet from a height (bent or straight leg)
- Repetitive forces applied to the knee
- Degeneration of the knee structures
- Falling
- Weak structures of the knee post-injury
A thorough assessment is initially required to diagnose the injury and the level of severity.
In some cases, this includes an x-ray and / or an MRI to assess the level of structural damage to the knee.
Many twisted knee injuries will display similar symptoms such as:
- Knee pain
- Limited knee mobility
- Instability
- Swelling
- Inflammation
- Tender area that is sometimes with red in colour and warm to touch
However, there are symptoms of each injury that help to distinguish between common knee injuries.
- Anterior cruciate ligament tear
- Sudden onset of pain
- A ‘pop’ that can be heard if the ACL is torn
- Immediate and substantial swelling
- Meniscus tear
- Pain predominantly on the medial / inside part of the knee
- Difficulty squatting and bending the knee
- A knee that ‘locks up’ meaning its okay to bend, but have difficulty straightening
- Posterior cruciate ligament
- A knee the feels as if it will ‘give way’ or is unstable
- Articular cartilage injury damage
- A knee that ‘locks up’
- ‘Clicking’ noises from the knee can be heard when locomoting
- Osteochondral fracture
- A knee that may ‘lock up’
- Pain that is worse with weight bearing
- Coronary ligament sprain
- Twisting commonly results in intense pain
- Patella dislocation
- The patella, or kneecap, will be moved from its usual position.
To book an appointment with one of our friendly Physiotherapists, please call (416) 900-6653 or click here to Contact Us.
Author information
The post Twisted Knee Pain (Part.1) appeared first on Toronto Physiotherapy.