How to Rate a Knee Injury

Knee injuries of any kind can be frustrating, not to mention painful. Knowing whether your knee injury is mild or severe is essential in determining how to treat the wound. Close to one in three Americans older than 45 report some type of knee pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. Unless that injury is the result of a sudden accident, take the time to determine its cause before rushing to the doctor or hospital.

Instructions

• 1

  Measure your pain. Knee pain may be the result of a ruptured ligament, torn cartilage or a specific medical condition like arthritis. Ask yourself, is my pain constant? Does it come and go? Is the pain sharp and throbbing or more of an ache? If pain is sporadic and non-debilitating, you likely have a lower level injury.

• 2

  Pay attention to symptoms. Tearing a ligament can result in sudden pain that worsens when you walk or run. A popping sound may also accompany any movement and you may be unable to hold weight on the knee. This injury is more serious and requires medical attention.

• 3

  Difficulty straightening your knee could be the result of a dislocated kneecap. Symptoms of the mid-level injury include swelling and difficulty walking. A patient can usually see this type of injury and the knee is prone to move from side to side.

• 4

  Watch for signs of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is often characterized by symmetric pain, as in both knees hurting at the same time, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Pain is also more serious when patients first wake up and when they are tired later in the day. Those with rheumatoid arthritis usually notice additional problems such as muscle aches, fatigue, stiffness, weight loss and flu-like symptoms.

• 5

  Try self-treating yourself by icing and elevating the knee, with lower level injuries. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help to reduce swelling and pain.

• 6

  Consult a physician if pain persists for three days or more or becomes worse because you likely have a higher rated injury. Symptoms of more severe injuries include having trouble bearing weight on your knee, observing an obvious deformity or noticing continued swelling or fever, which could mean an infection.