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Knee Sports Injuries
Sport and activity-related knee injuries can affect anyone, from weekend athletes to competitive players, and range from minor sprains to more significant ligament or cartilage tears.
Getting an accurate diagnosis quickly matters - the right early management can make a real difference to both recovery time and long-term knee health.
Common Sports Injuries
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injuries - often caused by sudden changes of direction, pivoting, or landing awkwardly; frequently associated with a "pop" sensation and rapid swelling
Meniscal tears - damage to the cartilage that cushions the knee, common in sports involving twisting movements, sometimes causing locking or catching
MCL and other ligament sprains - often caused by a direct blow or awkward twist to the knee, ranging from mild sprains to more significant tears
Patellar tendon injuries - overuse injuries common in sports involving repeated jumping or sprinting
Initial Management
In the early stages after an injury, protecting the knee, resting appropriately, and using ice to manage swelling are standard first steps ("RICE"; Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation).
Not every injury needs surgery — many soft tissue injuries, including isolated MCL sprains, respond well to structured physiotherapy alone. Read more in our guide to non-surgical treatment of soft tissue knee injuries.
When Surgery Is Needed
More significant injuries, particularly complete ACL ruptures in active patients with ongoing instability, or meniscal tears causing mechanical symptoms like locking - may need surgical treatment. Knee arthroscopy is commonly used to diagnose and treat many of these injuries through minimally invasive, keyhole surgery.
Getting Back to Sport
Because treatment and recovery differ significantly depending on which structure is injured and how severely, Mr George will give you a specific, realistic timeline for your injury and your sport - rather than a generic recovery estimate - including guidance on safely returning to training and competition.