Glossary
Sprain
Quick answer
A sprain is an injury to a ligament, the tough band that links one bone to another, caused by stretching it beyond its normal range. In the knee it ranges from a mild overstretch to a complete tear, as Doha knee surgeon Dr. Pablo Gelber explains to patients at Aman Hospital.
What the word means
Doctors use sprain for ligaments and strain for muscles or tendons. A knee sprain usually involves the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inner side, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the centre, or less often the lateral or posterior ligaments.
The word itself does not say how badly the ligament is hurt. A sprain can be a few stretched fibres or a ligament torn right through, which is why reports often add a grade.
Why it matters for you
Many people hear sprain and assume it is minor. A mild sprain often settles with rest, ice and physiotherapy over a few weeks. A severe one, especially of the ACL, can leave the knee giving way when you turn, for example on the padel court or the football pitch.
Signs that suggest more than a mild sprain include a pop at the moment of injury, swelling within a few hours, being unable to carry on playing, or the knee feeling loose afterwards.
How it is checked and treated
Examination tests each ligament for pain and looseness. An X-ray rules out a fracture, and an MRI shows which ligament is involved and how badly. Treatment depends on the ligament and the grade: a brace and rehabilitation for many collateral sprains, and sometimes reconstruction for a complete ACL tear in an active person.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sprain better than a tear?
Not necessarily. A sprain is a ligament injury of any severity, and a complete tear is the most severe grade of sprain. The grade on examination or MRI tells you more than the word itself.
When should I see a doctor about a sprained knee?
See a knee specialist if the knee swelled quickly, you heard a pop, you cannot put weight on it, or it still feels unstable or locked after a week or two.
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