Knee sports injuries

Symptoms can vary depending on the type and severity of the injury. Some develop suddenly after an incident, while others come on gradually with overuse.

Common symptoms include:

• pain in or around the knee

• swelling or inflammation

• stiffness or reduced range of movement

• a feeling of instability or the knee ‘giving way’

• difficulty putting weight on the leg

• clicking, popping, or locking sensations

• tenderness when touching the knee

• weakness in the joint

If you notice any of these symptoms, especially after a sports injury, it’s important to seek medical advice.

Knee injuries often occur when the joint is put under sudden or repeated stress. This can occur during sports, exercise, or even everyday activities.

Common causes include:

• sudden twisting or pivoting movements

• landing awkwardly after a jump

• direct impact to the knee

• overuse from repetitive activities such as running or cycling

• poor training technique or lack of conditioning

• inadequate warm-up or stretching

Risk factors

Some factors can increase your risk of developing a knee sports injury:

• playing high-impact sports such as football, rugby, or basketball

• weak muscles around the knee, hips, or core

• poor footwear or unsuitable equipment

• previous knee injuries

• training too intensely without enough rest

• poor alignment of the legs or kneecaps

If you’re experiencing knee pain or have had a sports injury, your care will begin with an initial consultation with a specialist.

Your consultant will ask about your symptoms, how the injury happened, and your medical history. They’ll also examine your knee to assess movement, strength, and stability.

In some cases, a diagnosis can be made during a consultation. However, further tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or assess the extent of the injury. These may include:

• X-ray – to check for fractures or bone issues

• MRI scan – to assess soft tissues such as ligaments, cartilage, and tendons

• ultrasound scan – to examine tendons and soft tissue injuries. Ultrasound can also be used to help guide the drainage of fluid and pain relief injections into the joint

• CT scan – to assess bone anatomy, especially if there’s a fracture

These tests help your consultant recommend the most appropriate treatment plan for your condition.

While not all injuries can be prevented, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

These include:

• warming up properly before exercise

• strengthening the muscles around your knees, hips, and core

• using the correct technique during sports and training

• wearing supportive and well-fitting footwear

• gradually increasing intensity and duration of exercise

• allowing time for rest and recovery between sessions

• maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the knees

Taking these steps can help protect your knees and improve overall performance.

Most knee injuries improve with the right treatment, but if left untreated, they can lead to longer-term problems.

Possible complications include:

• ongoing pain or swelling

• reduced mobility or stiffness

• chronic instability of the knee

• difficulty returning to sport or physical activity

• early wear of the joint (osteoarthritis)

In some cases, complications can still occur despite treatment, although this is less common. Early diagnosis and appropriate care can help reduce these risks.

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, as well as your activity level and overall health.

Your consultant will create a personalised treatment plan, which may include:

• rest and activity modification – avoiding movements that worsen symptoms

• physiotherapy – exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and stability

• pain relief medication – such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory drugs

• bracing or support – to stabilise the knee during recovery

• injections – such as steroids or hyaluronic acid to reduce pain and inflammation

• minimally invasive procedures – such as arthroscopy to repair damage inside the knee, like the meniscus repair procedure used to treat meniscus tear

• surgery – in more severe cases, such as ligament reconstruction, like ACL reconstruction, or cartilage repair

Many people recover well with non-surgical treatments, but some injuries may require surgery to restore full function.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic specialists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.