Treatment Options:

Cortisone

Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine uses cortisone injections for reducing pain and inflammation for an array of joint injuries. In certain injuries that are solely inflammation based, such as tendonitis, cortisone injections can act as a cure but with injuries that involve tearing of ligaments, cortisone injections are used for long term inflammation reduction.

Bracing

Braces are typically used for grade 2 sprains as they restrict the knee’s range of motion but don’t eliminate its ability to move entirely, allowing the knee to regain flexion and extension while confining rotational movement.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is almost always the first recommended course of action for grade 1 and 2 sprains of the knee and is often advised for grade 3 sprains as well. Therapy is conducted with the goal of decreasing the injury’s pain, restoring the knee’s range of motion, and helping it gradually regain strength. Rest, ice, compression and elevation, also known as the RICE protocol, are a typical part of the rehabilitation process.

Surgery

Surgery is utilized by Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine only when necessary for grade 2 or 3 sprains where the ligament is severely torn. Reparative or reconstructive surgery options may be used to repair the ACL, MCL, PCL, and LCL with precision. ACL tears are usually the most serious and require surgical intervention more often than tears to the other three major ligaments of the knee.

The gravity of the tear to the ligament determines the type of surgery that is performed, but when possible, Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine employs arthroscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive. Serious tears may necessitate reconstructive surgery, which requires the use of a graft to replace the ligament.