Regardless of whether you or a child has sustained a mild tendon tear or a more serious injury to the bones or ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) ligament, it’s important to attend to the injury quickly but carefully.
Identifying a Knee Injury – What to Look For
If you suspect that you or a child has sustained a knee injury, it’s often difficult to identify the type and/or the severity. Any injured knee needs to be examined and attended to by a qualified physician as a priority. Only a qualified physician can provide an accurate and reliable assessment.
Fractures, dislocations, sprains, and ligament tears are the most common types of injuries to the knee. Depending of the severity, symptoms of a knee injury can include:
- Pain, bruising and swelling around the area
- Catching or locking up of the joint, when moved
- A feeling of instability, as if the knee is giving way
Treating a Knee Injury – How You Can Help
Elastoplast offers a range of knee injury management products to help you protect and care for you and your family.
Your first point of call should be to a qualified physician, immediately following the accident. However, while you are waiting for a physician, follow and apply the RICER protocol to the affected area:
- Rest – rest the knee and avoid putting weight on the injured leg
- Ice – apply a cold pack to injury for 20 minutes at regular intervals to help reduce discomfort
- Compression – Gently strap the knee with an Elastoplast Sport Rigid Strapping Tape and overwrap the tape with an Elastoplast Sport Elastic Adhesive Bandage.
- Elevation – Elevate the injured leg and rest on a soft surface to help stop any bleeding and swelling.
- Referral – Refer yourself or the injured person to a qualified physician for precise diagnosis and further care, treatment, and advice
Preventing a Knee Injury – How to Best Prepare Yourself
There are a number of proactive ways you can help prevent knee injuries from occurring or reoccurring.
- Change direction using the balls of your feet, rather than twisting your knees
- Remain hydrated before, during and after exercise
- Avoid sudden jarring movements
- Allow adequate recovery time between workouts and training sessions
- Complete gentle and progressive training programs over time
- Focus on building up knee strength with increasingly stronger agility drills
- Train or exercise in appropriate footwear
- Wear specific knee protection especially for previously injured knees
- Avoid activities that cause severe pain and discomfort
- Always complete warm up and cool down sessions before and after exercise
- Assess the safety of the training or play area