yesterday i played raquetball nad my knee was slightly aching. When i woke up this morning my left knee hurts a lot. it hurts when i bend it and i and support my weight on it with it being totaly staight. could i have torn a ligiment or something and should i go to a doctor??
2007-01-21 03:52:14 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Strains are injuries that affect muscles or tendons, thick bands that attach muscles to bones. They occur in response to a quick tear, twist, or pull of the muscle. Strains are an acute type of injury that results from overstretching or over contraction. Pain, weakness, and muscle spasms are common symptoms experienced after a strain occurs.
Sprains are injuries that affect ligaments, thick bands of cartilage that attach bone to bone. They occur in response to a stretch or tear of a ligament. Sprains are an acute type of injury that results from trauma such as a fall or outside force that displaces the surrounding joint from its normal alignment. Sprains can range from a mild ligamentous stretch to a complete tear. Bruising, swelling, instability, and painful movement are common symptoms experienced after a sprain occurs.
RICE is the acronym used for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is used as the best initial treatment of soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions. The combination of RICE helps reduce inflammation that occurs after acute injury. It is important to remember that the earlier this treatment is put into place, the more effective it is.
Rest: Rest and protect the injured area. If it hurts to bear weight on the injury, use crutches, or a cane.
Ice: Apply ice to the injury. The cold will reduce swelling and pain at the injured site. This step should be done as soon as possible. Apply the frozen object to the area for 20 minutes three times a day for the first 48 hours.
Compression: Compress the injured site. This will decreases swelling of the injured region. Although the wrap should be snug, make sure it is not too tight as this can cause numbness, tingling, or increased pain.
Elevation: Elevate the injured area above the level of the heart as much as possible. This technique will also assist in reducing the amount of swelling to the injured site.
Once the pain and swelling are eliminated, you should start gradual range of motion exercises but not to the point of pain. Each day your range of motion will increase slightly. Continue until you have complete range of motion. Than start gentle strengthening exercises to re-build the strength in the knee.
The stiffness will go away over time.
Good Luck
2007-01-21 06:50:13 · answer #1 · answered by twocoolinc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You may have strained it with lateral motion. If you had twisted it you'd have remembered. It takes a lot to tear a ligament.
2007-01-21 11:59:53 · answer #2 · answered by justbeingher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
doctor
2007-01-21 12:00:02 · answer #3 · answered by youhoo it's me 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
naaaaaaaaaaah you straight
2007-01-21 11:59:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋