The knee’s musculoskeletal system would not be able to function properly without the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the bones and facilitate smooth movement. However, unexpected circumstances like trauma or overuse can cause these tissues to overstretch or tear, thereby rendering them incapable of fulfilling their purpose. This is known as a soft tissue knee injury.
Every year, soft tissue knee injuries account for 1 million emergency room visits and 1.9 million cases of outpatient treatment. Over 60% of these injuries are linked to sports, with the highest rates occurring in male football and basketball players and female soccer and basketball players. However, a soft tissue injury can also occur in any individual performing any exercise or general daily activity.
Types of Soft Tissue Knee Injures
Soft tissue injuries are classified based on the degree of the stretching or tearing of the knee’s muscles, tendons and ligaments, and the level of impairment that the affected individual experiences. The 3 classifications and accompanying symptoms are as follows:
- Grade I – Severe stretching of the ligaments, minimal tenderness, minimal swelling, minor instability.
- Grade II – Partial tearing of the ligaments, moderate tenderness, minor instability, moderately incapacitating.
- Grade III – Complete tear of the ligaments, swelling ranging from moderate to severe, discomfort with movement, severe instability, severely disabling.
In addition to strains and sprains, common soft tissue knee injuries include tendinitis, bursitis, as well as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) tears.
Soft Tissue Knee Injury Causes
The causes of soft tissue knee injuries fall into the following categories:
- Overuse injuries – These injuries are a result of repeated strenuous activity over time, allowing the soft tissues no time to heal properly.
- Acute injuries – These injuries are a result of sudden trauma, such as a fall or blow to the knee.
How Long Does a Soft Tissue Knee Injury Take to Heal?
A Grade I injury will typically take 1 to 2 weeks to heal, while a Grade II injury often requires 3 to 4 weeks. When it comes to a Grade III injury, however, the recovery process greatly depends upon an individual’s age, health condition, occupation, as well as the timing of appropriate intervention.
As with every other injury, seeing a qualified knee doctor is key to minimizing the recovery process and avoiding long-term effects from injuring the soft tissues of the knee. If you have suffered a soft tissue knee injury in the Manatee or Sarasota Counties of Florida, please do not hesitate to contact our knee specialists at Coastal Orthopedics Sports Medicine & Pain Management today!
