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It only takes one misstep, a tricky turn on the trail, or a tumble on the field to leave your knee hurting and swollen. Suddenly, even simple tasks feel challenging, and the activities you love are put on hold. But with timely diagnosis and treatment, recovery is possible.
Dr. Pamela Mehta is a sports medicine specialist who combines careful assessment with personalized treatment plans.
Her approach helps your knee heal properly, reduces pain, and restores stability. With her guidance, you can return to your activities with ease.
Book a Consultation with Dr. Pamela Mehta, MD
The Best Orthopedic Surgeon in San Jose
Dr. Mehta is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who can help you recover from your joint condition. If you:
- Are Suffering From Pain and Mobility Issues
- Need Orthopedic Assessment and Advice
- Want Treatment From a Top Orthopedic Doctor
We Can Help
What is a Knee Sprain?
A knee sprain occurs when one or more ligaments in the knee are stretched or torn. Ligaments are strong bands that hold your knee together and keep it stable during movement.
The ligaments most often affected include:
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)
- MCL (medial collateral ligament)
- PCL (posterior cruciate ligament)
- LCL (lateral collateral ligament)
When these stabilizers are injured, your knee may feel weak, painful, or unreliable. Knee stability is important for sports as well as for everyday activities.
Without it, even simple steps can strain your knee and increase the risk of injury.
What Causes a Knee Sprain?
Knee sprains often happen in a split second when the knee moves beyond its normal range of motion. What should be a simple step or a fun activity can quickly become painful and limiting.
Common causes of knee sprains include:
- Sports-related injuries from pivoting, jumping, or sudden stops
- Falls or missteps on uneven surfaces
- Quick changes in direction or twisting motions
- Direct blows to the knee during contact activities
Certain sports and activity levels can put extra stress on the knee, making sprains more likely:
- Runners: Repetitive stress, uneven terrain, or improper footwear
- Soccer and football players: Rapid pivots, tackles, and collisions
- Basketball and volleyball players: Jumping and hard landings
- Tennis and pickleball players: Sudden lateral movements
- Skiers and snowboarders: Twisting forces and high-speed falls
Everyday movements can also strain the knee, especially if the surrounding muscles are weak, inflexible, or recovering from a previous injury.
Without proper muscle support, the ligaments are forced to work harder and are more likely to get injured.
How Common is a Knee Sprain?
Knee sprains are more common than many people realize. Nearly 4 in 10 knee ligament injuries seen in clinics are sprains. They can affect anyone, athletes and non-athletes alike.
Sprains can occur alongside, or be mistaken for, other injuries such as:
Early evaluation is important to protect your long-term knee health.
What are the Symptoms of a Knee Sprain?
Symptoms of a knee sprain can appear immediately after an injury or develop over several hours. Common signs include:
- Pain or tenderness around the knee, especially during movement
- Swelling that develops quickly or worsens over time
- A feeling of instability, or the knee “giving way”
- Stiffness or reduced range of motion
- Difficulty bearing weight or walking comfortably
- Bruising or warmth around the joint
- A popping sensation at the time of injury (in some cases)
If you notice these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor promptly. Early care can improve recovery.
How Do We Diagnose a Knee Sprain?
A knee sprain can be confusing and painful, which is why we take a thoughtful, step-by-step approach at Resilience Orthopedics.
We examine your knee to identify the injured ligament and assess the severity of the damage. Then we design a treatment plan to help you heal safely, regain strength, and prevent future injuries.
Tests we perform include:
- Comprehensive physical exam: Checks swelling, tenderness, range of motion, and joint stability.
- Targeted ligament stress tests: Gentle, controlled movements to assess the ACL, MCL, PCL, or LCL.
- X-rays: Used to rule out fractures or bone-related concerns.
- MRI imaging: Provides detailed scans to confirm ligament injuries and detect related issues, such as meniscus tears.
How Do We Treat a Knee Sprain?
We always view surgery as a last resort. Drawing on her experience as an athlete, Dr. Pamela Mehta uses advanced diagnostics, hands-on evaluation, and personalized care to help your knee heal and stay healthy over time.
Our support doesn’t stop at treatment. We stay with you through each stage, so you can get back to your favorite activities safely, including casual walks, workouts, and more.
Common knee sprain treatments include:
- RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation): Helps reduce pain and swelling right after the injury.
- Bracing or taping: Supports the knee and prevents it from collapsing.
- Physical therapy: Strengthens muscles, improves movement, and restores stability.
- Activity modification: Helps in a gradual return to sports or daily activities safely.
- Medications: Pain relievers or anti-inflammatory treatments to reduce pain and swelling.
Why Choose Resilience Orthopedics for Knee Sprain Treatment
At Resilience Orthopedics, every knee injury is treated as unique. Dr. Pamela Mehta carefully evaluates the cause of your pain and creates a plan tailored to you.
She uses gentle, minimally invasive treatments to restore function and relieve discomfort. Throughout your recovery, she provides guidance, support, and clear instructions to help you regain strength.
We proudly serve Los Gatos, San Jose, Campbell, and the greater South Bay. Our focus is on helping you build stronger, healthier knees so you can return to the activities you enjoy.
Ready to Recover?
Take the first step in getting back to your normal self, and book an appointment with Dr. Mehta today.
We’re ready when you are!
FAQs
Recovery depends on the severity of the sprain. Mild sprains may heal within a few weeks with rest and therapy, while more serious sprains can take several months. A personalized plan from Dr. Mehta ensures steady and safe progress.
Most knee sprains don’t need surgery. At Resilience Orthopedics, we focus on non-surgical treatments, including exercises, braces, and rehabilitation unless surgery is needed.
Yes, but only after your knee has healed. Dr. Mehta guides you through a gradual return to sports, rebuilding strength and stability safely.
Simple steps like strengthening exercises, stretching, wearing proper footwear, and learning safe movement patterns can help. Dr. Mehta provides easy-to-follow guidance to keep you active and reduce the risk of future injuries.
