what treatment can i do at home for torn ligaments or sprained knee

• Rest your knee. Do not put any unnecessary weight on your knee, but do use crutches if you need them.
• Ice your knee. Every 3-4 hours put ice (or frozen peas or a cold gel pack) on your knee for 20-30 minutes to reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling for as ...
• Compress your knee. Use an ACE wrap or other form of elastic bandage to help control swelling and to stabilize the joint.
• Elevate your knee. Prop your knee up on a pillow or the arm of a couch as you’re sitting or resting, as this will help ease swelling and fluid in ...

Full Answer

How long does it take to heal a sprained knee?

The treatment for a moderate knee sprain includes:

• Restrict movement – usually with a knee brace – to promote healing.
• Use an elastic bandage and elevate the joint – this reduces swelling.
• Ice your knee 2-3 times a day for 10 minutes to reduce pain.
• Physical therapy to help you strengthen your knee and lower leg safely.

What is the healing time for a sprained knee?

Phase one: Immediately following injury

• Duration: 1-7 days.
• Aims: Reduce pain and swelling (if any), and ensure your knee can be fully straightened and bent to 90 degrees.
• Stop play or competition immediately.
• Apply ice or cold therapy, as soon as possible following injury to reduce pain and any swelling. ...
• A doctor may prescribe NSAID’s (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) e.g. ...

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What to do for a sprained knee?

Treatments for knee sprains

• Home care. You’ll do this for any sprain. But, it’s likely that you can completely treat a grade I knee sprain at home.
• Physical therapy. Physios are your best allies in recovery, regardless of the severity of your injury. First, they help you reduce pain and inflammation.
• Surgery. Grade III sprains may need surgical intervention. ...

How do I know if I sprained my knee?

The following are sprained knee symptoms:

• Pain around the affected area
• Swelling around the sprained section of the knee
• Knee instability, leading to your knee buckling under the pressure of your weight
• Bruising, moderate to severe, depending on the sprain
• A popping sound when the injury occurs
• Stiffness and decreased movement due to pain
• Limited to no range of motion

How do you treat a torn knee ligament at home?

TreatmentIce your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours to lessen the pain and swelling. ... Compress your knee. ... Raise your knee on a pillow when you're sitting or lying down.Wear a knee brace to stabilize the knee and protect it from further injury.Take anti-inflammatory painkillers.More items...•

How do I know if I sprained my knee or torn a ligament?

New York Sports Medicine Institute sports medicine Manhattan can help with any of these symptoms:Swelling.Bruising.Pain around the knee area.There was a popping noise when the actual injury occurred.Your range of motion is minimal.Stiffness from the amount of pain.

How long does it take for a sprained ligament in the knee to heal?

Sprained knee recovery time A knee sprain is considered healed when there's no more pain or swelling, and you can move your knee freely. Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks. People who need surgery, however, may take as long as four to six months to recover.

What is the fastest way to heal a sprained knee?

Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation Resting the affected ligaments, tendons, and muscles, gives the knee time to heal. Your doctor may provide a cane or crutches to help you keep weight off the affected knee for about a week. After the swelling starts to subside, most people can walk while wearing a knee brace.

Is walking good for torn ligaments?

The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.

What helps ligaments heal faster?

Balance, control, and strengthening exercises can also help your ligaments heal more quickly than they otherwise would.

Is walking good for a sprained knee?

Always try to walk normally – i.e. heel down first. In the early stages after injury excessive weight bearing may cause increased pain and swelling. You may be given crutches for a short time to help with this. Gradually increase your activity as the pain and swelling subside.

How do I know if I tore something in my knee?

SymptomsA popping sensation.Swelling or stiffness.Pain, especially when twisting or rotating your knee.Difficulty straightening your knee fully.Feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it.Feeling of your knee giving way.

Is heat good for a sprained knee?

Heat therapy may help with arthritis, knee pain, and stiff joints by using heat packs, pads, and submerging the affected area in warm water. In some cases, gel packs may be more effective than traditional heat packs, due to their ability to form around the joint and penetrate tissues.

What is the best painkiller for knee pain?

Over-the-counter medications — such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve) — may help ease knee pain. Some people find relief by rubbing the affected knee with creams containing a numbing agent, such as lidocaine, or capsaicin, the substance that makes chili peppers hot.

How do I know if my knee pain is serious?

Call your doctor if you:Can't bear weight on your knee or feel as if your knee is unstable or gives out.Have marked knee swelling.Are unable to fully extend or flex your knee.See an obvious deformity in your leg or knee.Have a fever, in addition to redness, pain and swelling in your knee.More items...•

Should you wrap a sprained knee?

You may need to wear an elastic bandage. This helps keep your injured knee from moving too much while it heals. It should be tight enough to give support but so tight that it causes your toes to feel numb or tingly. Take the bandage off and rewrap it at least 1 time each day.

What is the fastest way to heal a sprained knee?

The most common treatment for a knee sprain is rest, ice, compression of the swelling, and taking anti-inflammatories. Unfortunately, as you get ol...

I was injured playing football. I was able to walk after one week, but after three weeks there has b...

RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is part of the treatment of any sprain, including compression. A compression sock might help out with...

What can I do to help water on the knee?

Water on the knee is a sign of inflammation. It can be due to a broken bursa sac, which is a fluid-filled sac in the knee. Only time will allow the...

Can You Heal A Knee Injury Naturally?

I tried everything. Ice. Heat. Ice and heat rotating. I ground of Fenugreek seeds into a paste and wore them under a wrap all day. (It looked like...

Ligament Tear in Knee Home Remedy

From my experience, it takes more than one approach to heal a knee naturally. This is what I did: 1. Essential Oils for Knee Cartilage Repair 2. Su...

Essential Oils For Knee Pain and Healing

My favorite ligament tear in knee home remedy is essential oils. Prior to this injury, I knew kind of what they were, but had no idea how powerful...

Essential Oils For Torn Ligaments – Essential Oil For Knee Pain Blend

I made a Roller Bottle with 5 drops each of Wintergreen, Peppermint, German Chamomile, and Helichrysum. The rest of the roller bottle was filled wi...

Layering Essential Oils For Knee Pain and Healing

I layered on the Lemongrass and Frankincense two to three times a day. You can read about why you would want to layer versus blend here. These are...

Did Essential Oils For Knee Pain Heal My knee? Not by Themselves! Key Points to Heal A Knee Naturally

1. You must be consistent. This isn’t the kind of thing you can do when you remember and hope for the best. If you can’t be consistent you need to...

Ligament Tear in Knee Home Remedy – Supplements That I Take Regularly

Turmeric: The curcumin contained in turmeric is can help to reduce going pain and swelling. Long-term studies have shown that it can reduce blood l...

How to treat a sprained knee?

To treat a knee sprain, firmly wrap the injured knee with an elastic bandage or band to help reduce swelling and prevent your knee from moving around too much. Next, stay off your knee and rest it in an elevated position as much as possible.

How to reduce swelling in knee after a sprain?

To help reduce swelling, you should compress you knee in the days after your injury. You need to wrap your knee with an elastic bandage or band. Wrap the bandage tightly enough to support your knee and keep it from moving. However, make sure you do not wrap it so tight that it cuts off your circulation.

How long does it take for a knee sprain to heal?

Unfortunately, as you get older your body heals more slowly. It may take a minimum of three days to get back to normal, but it can also take longer, depending on the severity of the sprain. Thanks!

How does a knee sprain affect the ligaments?

A sprain can affect many of the ligaments in your knee by tearing the fibers of the tissues, which usually causes pain, swelling, and bruising. [1] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public Go to source. If you have been diagnosed with a knee sprain, you can follow a few simple steps ...

What is a knee sprain?

This article has been viewed 576,701 times. A knee sprain is an injury to the ligaments in the knee, which are the tough, elastic-like bands in the knee that connect your bones together and hold your joints in place. A sprain can affect many of the ligaments in your knee by tearing the fibers of the tissues, which usually causes pain, swelling, ...

Why does my knee have water?

Water on the knee is a sign of inflammation. It can be due to a broken bursa sac, which is a fluid-filled sac in the knee. Only time will allow the fluid to be reabsorbed and reduced.

How to get rid of a swollen knee?

Ice your knee. In the first few days, you should ice your knee to help relieve inflammation and pain. Put ice cubes or crushed ice in a sealed plastic bag or take a bag of frozen veggies from the freezer. Wrap the bag in a towel or cloth. Place the ice pack on your knee for 20 minutes at a time.

What if these treatments for knee sprain aren’t enough?

Mild and some moderate knee sprains improve with conservative treatment. That includes the tips above, specific physical therapy, or injections to reduce pain.

What is the best knee brace for a sprained knee?

Hinged knee braces. These are bulkier, giving you extra support. A brace reduces the stress on the ligament while it heals. Knee braces are best for moderate or severe knee sprains.

How many knee injuries are sprained?

Not-so-fun fact: 40% of all knee injuries are knee sprains. As they’re so common, it’s useful to know how to heal a sprained knee quickly. ( 1)

How long does it take for a sprain to heal?

Mild sprains take between 4 days and 4 weeks to heal. Moderate or severe sprains take longer. There’s no way around it.

How long does it take to recover from a sprain?

Most of these sprains are severe. So, the recovery tends to be the longest – from 4 to 18 months. This period includes surgery and sports-specific physical therapy. ( 4)

What is the key to letting healing run its course?

Rest. This is key to letting healing run its course.

Can you care for a sprain at home?

You’ll have to care for your sprain at home, regardless of the severity of your injury. For ligament injuries, most healthcare providers recommend doing two things at home:

How to help knee pain?

Ginger Extract: Ginger is a great way to decrease pain and inflammation. I take 250mg of ginger extract four times a day to help with knee pain. Glucosamine Sulfate: This is found naturally in the fluid around the joints. It can help to rebuild lost cartilages and prevent the breakdown of cartilage and fluid in joints.

How to heal inflammation?

Consider your diet. Diet is ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL to healing. I recommend a clean diet that eliminates inflammation as much as possible. No processed food. Stay away from triggers. (Mine are gluten and soy.)

What is the best medicine for swelling?

Turmeric: The curcumin contained in turmeric is can help to reduce going pain and swelling. Long-term studies have shown that it can reduce blood levels of inflammatory chemicals. You can get it on Amazon. Ginger Extract: Ginger is a great way to decrease pain and inflammation.

Which herb supports inflammatory response, ligaments and tissue regeneration?

Lemongrass: which supports inflammatory response, ligaments and tissue regeneration.

Does Wintergreen oil help with knee pain?

Supports discomfort that is related to inflammation of bones, muscles, and joints. This is my favorite essential oil for knee pain! (Wintergreen should be avoided by anyone with seizures.)

Can you skip exercises for knee inflammation?

You Can't Skip the Exercises. Everything else can help to reduce inflammation to the point that you can rehab your knee, but you are still going to have to do the work.

Can You Heal a Knee Injury Naturally?

I tried everything. Ice. Heat. Ice and heat rotating. I ground of Fenugreek seeds into a paste and wo re them under a wrap all day. (It looked like something from Skye’s diaper, but I was desperate.) I wore a brace. I tried castor oil packs.

What is a knee ligament tear?

The severity of the ligament tear in the knee can vary. When a ligament is stretched, leading to tiny tears, it is called a mild knee sprain. People with a mild knee sprain (grade I) can usually continue to bear weight on the leg. A moderate (grade II) sprain means the ligament is partially torn. This can lead to pain and knee instability (a feeling that the knee is going to give out while you’re standing or walking). Severe (grade III) knee sprains occur when the ligament is completely torn, resulting in an unstable joint and inability to bear weight on that leg. 2

How to diagnose a sprained knee?

Your doctor will diagnose a knee sprain based on your medical history and physical examination. They will test the steadiness of your knee and your ability to bear weight on that side. The doctor will compare the sprained knee to the other side and check for discoloration, deformity, and tenderness. 2

What are the causes of a sprained knee?

The most common cause of a knee sprain is an unnatural movement during physical activity. That’s why this type of knee injury is common among athletes who play sports that involve contact, jumping, running, and turning. For example, knee sprains are more common in people who play basketball, football, and rugby. Sprained knees can also occur during wrestling, gymnastics, and skiing.

Why does my knee make a popping noise?

Many people hear a popping noise when the injury occurs. There can also be instability of the knee. Some people have trouble bearing weight on that leg when the knee sprain is severe. Bruised knee. The ACL and MCL are the most commonly injured knee ligaments. 1 The LCL is rarely sprained on its own.

What are the risk factors for a knee sprain?

A poor physical condition, lack of flexibility, and decreased strength in the muscles and ligaments surrounding the knee are risk factors for a knee sprain. You can reduce your risk of knee sprain by using the Injurymap app to make your leg muscles strong and flexible. Related content. Runner's knee. Jumper's knee.

What is it called when a ligament is stretched?

2. The severity of the ligament tear in the knee can vary. When a ligament is stretched, leading to tiny tears, it is called a mild knee sprain.

What is grade 3 knee sprain?

2. Severity of ligament tear.

How long does it take to heal a ligament tear?

The recovery time can be a few weeks or up to a year, depending on the severity of the ligament tear. 11 .

What are the major knee ligaments?

Knee: The four major knee ligaments are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). The ACL is the most common ligament to be injured. 4 

What causes a torn ulnar collateral ligament?

Other common sites of ligament tears and the possible causes behind them include: 1 Thumb: The ulnar collateral ligament can be torn when skiing (the injury is often called skier's thumb) or in a fall when the thumb is bent in an extreme position. 6  2 Neck: The ligaments of the neck can be torn during whiplash injuries when sudden acceleration and deceleration cause extreme movement of the cervical spine. The ligament tear is just one part of a whiplash injury, which may also damage muscles, nerves, and bones. 7  3 Back: The ligaments in the back can be torn by lifting something that is too heavy. 8 

How to tell if a ligament is tearing?

Symptoms. A ligament tear is painful and tender to the touch. You may see swelling and bruising. It may be difficult to move the joint. In the case of some ligaments, you may hear a pop or feel tearing at the time of the injury. You may also experience muscle spasms. 1 . Ligaments support and strengthen joints.

What ligaments are torn when skiing?

Thumb: The ulnar collateral ligament can be torn when skiing (the injury is often called skier's thumb) or in a fall when the thumb is bent in an extreme position. 6 . Neck: The ligaments of the neck can be torn during whiplash injuries when sudden acceleration and deceleration cause extreme movement of the cervical spine.

Why do ligaments tear?

A ligament tear usually occurs due to extreme force to a joint such as with a fall or another high-impact event. Common ligament tears are to the ankle, knee, wrist, thumb, neck, or back ligaments.

What grade of sprain is needed for surgery?

The location and extent of the injury will determine how long a brace is needed. A grade 3 sprain may require surgery to repair the ligament. 10 

How is a knee ligament injury treated?

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Treatment may include:

How to treat knee injury?

Treatment plans for most knee injuries rely on making an accurate diagnosis with a focus on managing pain and rehabilitation to regain function. Surgery may also be necessary to lead to full, functional recovery. Our goal is to restore and optimize the function of your knee so you can get back to the activities you enjoy.

What is a knee ligament injury?

Knee ligaments are the short bands of tough, flexible connective tissue that hold the knee together. Knee ligament injuries can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can be caused by sports injuries. An example is a twisting knee injury in basketball or skiing.

Why does my knee pop?

An injury to the collateral ligament also causes the knee to pop and buckle. It also causes pain and swelling. Often you will have pain at the sides of the knee and swelling over the injury site. If it is an MCL injury, the pain is on the inside of the knee. An LCL injury may cause pain on the outside of the knee. The knee will also feel unstable, like it is going to give way.

What causes a knee ligament to hurt?

Knee ligament injuries can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can be caused by sports injuries.

What is the MCL in knee?

Medial collateral ligament (MCL). This ligament gives stability to the inner knee.

How many ligaments are there in the knee?

The knee has 4 major ligaments. Ligaments connect bones to each other. They give the joint stability and strength. The 4 knee ligaments connect the thighbone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). They are: