What Is a Sports Knee Injury?

Many athletes suffer from knee injuries, which account for almost 50 percent of all sports injury doctor visits, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine. If you experience persistent knee pain, see your doctor as soon as possible. Delaying treatment may worsen your condition.

Types

• A meniscus injury is a type of knee injury; this means you've torn the cartilage in the knee. You may also have tendonitis, which is the inflammation of the tendons. A third type of injury is a torn ligament, which is often caused by sudden trauma.

Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, aside from pain, some common symptoms of a knee injury include swelling, redness, warmth, and an inability to stand or straighten the knee.

Causes

• Knee injuries due to sports often occur because of a sharp blow to the knee or a fall. They could also be caused by the stress of repeated activities, such as those during practice or games; sudden, abrupt turning, pivoting, stopping or twisting from side to side; jumping or if the athlete's bones are growing still.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose your knee injury, your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam to check for signs of swelling and to determine your range-of-motion abilities. You may also undergo x-rays, an MRI or a CT scan.

Treatment - Mild

• For mild injuries, resting and applying ice to the knee can help. The Mayo Clinic also recommends wrapping the knee in a brace for support. Refrain from engaging in sports activities until the injury is healed.

Treatment - Severe

• Physical therapy may also help knee injuries. If the injury is severe, you may need surgery. Surgery can repair a damaged joint by reconstructing any torn ligaments, repairing torn cartilage and correcting any other damage.