Though the knee is a relatively sturdy joint, injuries to it can be very painful and debilitating. Ever find yourself wondering “how do I know if my knee pain is serious”? Any amount of knee pain is usually an important warning sign to pay attention to. Some cases of mild knee pain will go away on their own with some rest and self-care. However, more severe pain or pain that doesn’t go away within a few days may be a sign of a more serious knee injury.

The knee joint consists of four bones, ligaments that hold them together, tendons that attach muscles to bones, nerves, and a thick layer of cartilage called the meniscus. The patella or kneecap is attached to the femur and lower leg bones by four ligaments. These help keep your knee joint aligned and stabilized. The meniscus is two wedges of cartilage that create a cushion between the femur in the upper leg and the tibia in the lower leg.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can tell if your knee injury is serious, share some symptoms to look out for and talk about how physical therapy can help.

How do I know if my knee injury is serious?

Any knee pain that’s intense or doesn’t go away is a clue that you may need medical attention. For instance, if the pain keeps you from moving your knee, or if you notice swelling or stiffness, you should seek treatment. There are a few other symptoms to look out for, such as redness or warm or tender sensations. If you notice these types of symptoms, you should make an appointment with your doctor or see a physical therapist for an evaluation.

In some cases, knee injuries may require emergency treatment. If your knee looks bent or deformed, if you’re unable to bear weight on your knee, or if you heard a popping sound at the time of injury, you should go to an emergency room or urgent care center.

Knee injuries can be serious without causing extreme pain. If left untreated, an overuse injury can put you at risk of further damage or a chronic pain condition. This usually leads to increased recovery time. Any knee injury that keeps you from doing activities that are important to you is a serious one.

11 signs you should take your knee pain seriously

There are a few different types of knee injuries that can get worse without medical treatment. These include knee bursitis, patellar tendinitis, arthritis, and mild sprains. These may start out mild and become more painful and limiting over time. More serious knee injuries include fractures, severe sprains, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, or a torn meniscus. These types of injuries require emergency treatment.

The following are some signs and symptoms that you may need medical attention for your knee pain:

1. Major swelling — Swelling from knee injuries is usually caused by your body’s immune response. It could also be due to a buildup of fluid in the knee joint or bleeding.
2. Redness — You may notice redness around your knee after an injury, or it could be caused by an infection.
3. Warm and tender sensation — The tissue around your knee may feel warm and sensitive to touch if it’s affected by an injury.
4. Moderate and severe pain — Serious knee injuries are often painful, but pain may not show up right away. If your pain doesn’t go away, you should get a physical examination.
5. Being unable to extend or flex your knee — Some knee injuries may keep you from moving your knee in a certain way. If certain bones, ligaments, or tendons are damaged, you may not be able to bend or flex your knee.
6. A grinding or crackling sensation — Arthritis, bursitis, and other conditions can cause a grinding or crackling sensation in the knee joint.

Some injuries that affect the knee joint should be assessed by emergency care providers. They’ll perform a physical exam and take imaging tests. Treatments might include pain medication, immobilizing your leg, reducing swelling, and referral to a specialist.

These signs and symptoms indicate that you should seek emergency treatment for your knee pain right away:

7. Your knee joint is bent or deformed — If your knee is bent or deformed, you likely have a structural
   problem. It could be a fracture, sprain, or torn ligament.
8. You heard a “popping” sound at the time of injury — A popping sound at the time of injury may be caused by a torn ligament. It can also be a torn meniscus or other damage to a ligament.
9. Your knee can’t bear weight — If your knee can’t bear weight, that’s another indication of a structural problem like a fracture, sprain, or tear.
10. You have intense pain — Intense pain in the knee is usually serious and may require medical treatment.
11. Sudden swelling — Swelling that comes on suddenly may be a sign of bleeding in the knee joint, which requires emergency treatment.

How can physical therapy help me recover from a knee injury?

Physical therapists provide natural, noninvasive treatments that help heal bones and soft tissue. You may need to work with both a medical doctor and a physical therapist to treat more serious knee injuries. Your physical therapist will combine different treatments during each phase of your healing process. Most physical therapy treatments help support your body’s natural healing processes by reducing swelling, increasing circulation, improving range of motion and flexibility, and helping strengthen muscles that support your knee joint. After your initial assessment, they’ll design a personalized treatment plan for you.

Your physical therapist may use the following treatments to help you recover from mild or serious knee injuries:

• Soft tissue manipulation — To provide soft tissue manipulation or manual therapy, your PT will use their hands to make gentle, massage-like movements. This will help them break up stiffness from swelling or freshly healed tissue.
• Instrument-assisted soft tissue manipulation (IASTM) — IASTM is similar to manual therapy. In this treatment, your PT will use stainless steel instruments. These tools help them locate and break up scar tissue in and around the knee joint.
• Ultrasound — Ultrasound is a method of applying heat to targeted areas deep in the soft tissue. Your PT will use an ultrasound wand to relieve pain, increase blood flow, and promote healing.
• Therapeutic exercises — Therapeutic exercises can help with circulation and blood flow while you’re healing. They can also improve your range of motion, strengthen your leg muscles, and help prevent re-injury.
• Therapeutic stretching — Therapeutic stretching can help with range of motion and flexibility as well as preventing reinjury. Your therapist may guide you through stretches and exercises during treatments or provide instructions on exercises you can do at home.

Find relief from your knee injury and start healing at Lattimore PT

A serious knee injury can cause intense pain and keep you from your day-to-day activities. If you think your knee might be injured, you should seek an evaluation with a doctor or physical therapist. A PT can provide natural, noninvasive treatments to help you heal faster. Many people notice less pain and swelling after just one treatment.

At Lattimore PT, we specialize in musculoskeletal conditions like knee injuries. Many of our PTs have a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT). To earn this certification, PTs need specialized training in assessing musculoskeletal conditions and creating personalized treatment programs. Having physical therapists with their COMT on our staff is one way we help ensure that you’ll receive the highest-quality treatment.

Do you think you might have a serious knee injury? Find out if physical therapy is right for you. Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.