Diagnosing & Treating Knee Sprains in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

A knee sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn. There are four major ligaments in the knee: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). 

Orthopedic doctors at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals specialize in treating a wide variety of knee injuries, including knee sprains in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. For the expertise you need, call (702) 616-4900 or Find a Doctor with our online tool.

Knee Sprain Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of knee sprain may begin at the moment of injury or shortly afterwards. Symptoms may include: 

• Knee pain, either with movement or while at rest
• Limited range of motion
• Swelling
• Inability to put weight on the affected leg
• Redness
• Difficulty moving your knee
• Warmth in or around the knee

If you have one or more of these symptoms, meet with a doctor at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican for a diagnosis.

Knee Sprain Causes

Knee sprains are caused when the knee is bent or twisted in the wrong direction. These injuries can happen while playing sports, performing a physically-demanding job, or working around the house. 

You can sprain your knee by: 

• Landing hard or incorrectly after a jump
• Suddenly stopping while running
• Sustaining a sideways blow
• Suddenly twisting it

Our orthopedic and sports medicine experts at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican specialize in helping patients of all ages recover from and prevent all types of sprains. For more complex knee injuries, our Siena Campus earned a Joint Commission Certification for our Joint Replacement-Knee program.

Knee Sprain Treatment at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Less severe knee injuries, like sprains and strains, can often be treated effectively using rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).

For a severe sprain, a doctor at a Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospital may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever or crutches to aid your recovery process.

If your doctor determines that your knee needs to be stabilized while it heals, you might wear a knee brace or splint for a period of time. Physical therapy and rehabilitation may be necessary to help strengthen your knee.