Signs That Your Knee Injury is More Serious Than You Think

By Your Health Magazine

You probably didn’t expect your knee to still hurt after a week. Maybe you twisted it awkwardly during a pickup basketball game at the park or while running for the train, something that felt minor at the time. But now, days or even weeks later, you’re still limping, and you can’t help but wonder if this could be more than a simple strain.

That nagging pain that you feel is usually a sign of something serious going on under the surface. You should never overlook it for so long because the consequences of doing so are dire.

Now, before you start going down a Google rabbit hole of worst-case scenarios, let’s slow down. We’re not here to scare you, but to help you look at things differently.

If you’re feeling something more than the usual soreness, it’s time to listen to your body a little more carefully. And if you’re really worried because the pain appeared after an accident, know that personal injury attorneys specializing in knee injuries deal with cases just like yours. They’ve seen how something that seemed like no big deal at first can turn into long-term pain if left unchecked.

So, how can you tell if your knee injury is more serious than you think? Here are a few pointers.

You Heard a Popping Sound When It Happened

If you heard or felt a pop when the injury first happened, it’s not something you should shrug off. That pop could be a clue that something important, like a ligament, has been torn or severely injured.

Most times, the ligament most commonly affected in these cases is the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), which is one of the major stabilizers in your knee.

Even if your knees feel okay, go see a doctor as soon as you hear that sound. Ligament injuries like this can take time to show their full effect. You might not feel immediate agony, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The pain and swelling can kick in later, and when they do, you’ll wish you’d paid more attention to that pop.

Your Knee Keeps Buckling or Giving Way

We’ve all felt a little off balance now and then, but if your knee is giving way or buckling consistently when you try to walk, that’s a major red flag. It means your knee’s stability has been compromised, and that usually points to more serious issues with your ligaments.

Ligament injuries (like those affecting the ACL or MCL) or damage to the meniscus, the cartilage that cushions your knee, can make your knee unstable. And once your knee starts buckling, even the smallest misstep can cause you to fall down.

You Can’t Fully Straighten or Bend Your Knee

You see, the knee is meant to move smoothly, like a hinge. But when you damage the cartilage, ligaments, or other components of the knee, it affects that natural range of motion.

This can be annoying, but that’s not even what you should be worrying about. Instead, bother about the fact that your knee could have sustained deeper injuries, like a meniscus tear or ligament damage. These kinds of injuries can seriously limit your mobility if left untreated.

Swelling That Just Won’t Quit

A little swelling after a knee injury is expected, right? Sure, but there’s a difference between a bit of puffiness that goes away with rest and swelling that lingers for days or weeks.

Chronic swelling is often a sign of internal damage, such as torn cartilage or ligaments. When your body responds to these kinds of injuries, it tries to protect itself by sending extra fluid to the area. This might explain the swelling, but it’s also a sign that your body is struggling to heal on its own. And that’s when things get complicated.