Can a hyperextended knee heal? What to know about a basketball injury

Q. Last week I was playing basketball and hyperextended my left knee. I had to stop playing. I felt pain in the front of the knee and the knee swelled. The urgent care physician assistant took X-rays and nothing was broken. There is still pain and swelling and I have not improved. What do you think is wrong with my knee and what should I do? A. Hyperextension injuries of the knee can result in several possible injuries. Since you did not feel a pop and were not severely uncomfortable, it is less likely you injured a ligament such as an ACL or PCL.

When you hyperextend your knee, the bones in the front of the knee can bang together resulting in a bone contusion. These injuries sometimes can also be associated with damage to cartilage on the ends of the bones.

Symptoms of bone contusions from this mechanism of injury include pain in the front of the knee, stiffness and swelling.

I recommend you see an orthopedic surgeon for an examination and possible an MRI scan. Bone contusions can usually heal with rest and rehab. Cartilage damage or ligament injuries may require surgical intervention to get better.

Dr. Harlan Selesnick is team physician of the Miami Heat and Inter Miami. Send your questions to HarlanS@baptisthealth.net