A knee sprain is a musculoskeletal injury where the ligaments that connect the bones in the knees are torn or stretched. This painful condition can also lead to swelling and stiffness of the affected knee. Muscle weakness or spasms may also be present.

According to experts in pain management, Spring Hill, although the knee sprain might not be as serious as a fracture, it can still develop complications over time, especially if the patient doesn’t fully recover. Knee sprains can increase the patient’s risk for medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries, which can affect the knee’s strength and stability.

According to the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, there are about 74,000 MCL injuries recorded annually in the U.S. A large number of these occur among high school athletes who play football, soccer, hockey, and rugby. Some 60 percent of skiing accidents also involve knee sprains. 

Symptoms of Knee Sprain

The most common symptoms of a knee sprain include: 

  • A painful popping of the knee visible and audible to the patient
  • Swelling and bruising in the knee area
  • Pain and tenderness, coupled with limited range of motion and stiffness

The knees might also buckle when the patient tries to walk. To diagnose knee sprain, patients will have to undergo imaging procedures such as X-ray, CT scan, or MRI. Not until the doctor has made a proper diagnosis can the patient undergo treatments and therapy. 

Spring Hill PRP therapy and knee sprain

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a form of regenerative medicine that has been gaining in popularity because of its promising results and advantages over other treatment options. Its efficacy as a treatment for ligament injuries, such as a knee sprain, is going through clinical trials. 

According to the Asian Journal of Sports Medicine, promising trials are showing that PRP can improve the prognosis for knee sprains, especially in the early stages of recovery. If the patient has seen poor improvement in other treatments, then PRP could be a practical solution instead of undergoing an invasive, and perhaps even unnecessary, surgery. 

PRP is more commonly used for sports injuries because athletes need to be back on their feet as soon as possible after recovery. Aside from acute musculoskeletal pain, experts in pain management in Spring Hill also recommend this procedure for chronic and recurring pain that could affect an athlete’s performance or mobility.

What Happens During Spring Hill PRP therapy

During this procedure, the doctor draws a small amount of blood from the patient, which will then be spun in a centrifuge to isolate the platelets and plasma-rich blood components. The concentrated platelet-rich plasma solution is then injected back into the injured knee to facilitate faster healing.

In a study published in the Journal of Knee Surgery, 58 percent of the participants reported that they felt less pain and movement limitations twelve weeks after a series of PRP injections. A follow-up on the patients after a year showed that those who received PRP treatments for knee sprain still had healthy knees.

Learn more about Spring Hill PRP therapy at Pain Management & Spine Care

Pain Management & Spine Care’s Medical Director, Dr. Eyad Alsabbagh, is a fellowship-trained Interventional Pain Medicine pain doctor in Hernando County. He is trained and educated to provide the highest quality of service to patients suffering from multiple conditions, varying from narcotic addiction to back pain. He utilizes state-of-the-art technology at his pain management clinic.

Dr. Alsabbagh of Brooksville Pain Management, Spring Hill Clinic, understands that pain is a very personal experience. This is why he evaluates each patient’s individual needs and determines what treatment will be most beneficial for that particular person because his goal is to help you live a fuller, pain-free life.

If you have further questions about PRP or anything related to pain management, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment or to contact us.

The material contained on this site is for informational purposes only and DOES NOT CONSTITUTE THE PROVIDING OF MEDICAL ADVICE, and is not intended to be a substitute for independent professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health.