Simple sprains and minor tears can be managed non-surgically with the help of a physiotherapist. More major tears, however, should be treated with a knee brace (splint), which needs to be provided as soon as possible ideally within a week of injury.

Most MCL injuries heal with bracing, and patients make an excellent recovery. Delays in diagnosis, however, can lead to an unstable knee, which sometimes will need knee ligament surgery, with less predictable results.

A tear or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a serious ligament injury. It can cause your knee to become unstable, especially when twisting or changing direction (cutting). In the long term, it increases the risk of your knee wearing out early (osteoarthritis).

These injuries can be managed with physiotherapy alone or, by a combination of physiotherapy and ACL reconstruction surgery. Early advice from an expert such as My Knee Doc is important to make the best possible recovery and to avoid further injury.

The knee meniscus is often torn during twisting sports. The knee meniscus can tear when your foot gets caught on the ground whilst the body carries on twisting. The medial (inner) meniscus is more commonly torn. This can cause pain and sometimes locking and instability of your knee.

Small tears can heal and the symptoms can settle down with time. If discomfort continues to limit your activities for over 4 to 6 weeks, then treatment including knee arthroscopy (simple keyhole surgery) may help speed up your recovery.

‘Locked’ knees, which cannot be fully straightened, require urgent assessment. Often, early surgery is advised to save the meniscus and to improve your range of movement.