In car accidents, in which the person does not wear a seat belt, ligaments may be injured when knees are thrown into the dashboard. Someone who is out of shape physically or who has had a previous knee injury is more prone to knee injuries. Follow these guidelines to help prevent serious knee injuries. Cruciate injuries can be sprains or tears of the ligament. A mild sprain gives mild pain.
Treatment is usually rest and support with an elastic bandage.
Ice and anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen will assist with swelling and discomfort. These medications should not be taken without approval from your healthcare provider if the person has an ulcer, kidney problems, an allergy to aspirin, or if on a blood-thinning medication. Recovery is slow, but usually complete. A severe sprain or tear of any ligament is a serious injury and may require special bracing or surgery. See your healthcare provider if you have knee pain that does not go away.