Ask the Trainer
Published on December 2, 2007 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release
Question: My knee swelled up after a basketball injury. Should I be concerned about this?
Answer: Acute knee joint swelling (called a joint effusion) following an injury may happen for two reasons:
1. Increased joint fluid formation
2. Bleeding within the joint.
Normally, if there is increased joint fluid, this suggests that there is a mechanical issue/problem within the joint itself. Examples of a mechanical problem could be turn cartilage (meniscus), a loose body, or arthritic changes to the joint. However, if the swelling is due to bleeding within the knee joint, this suggests a more significant injury involving other structures within the knee. Following a traumatic sports injury, the most common cause of acute bleeding is the often talked about, torn anterior ligament (ACL). Other causes of bleeding would include a fracture, tears of the peripheral portion of meniscus, a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear, or dislocation of the kneecap (patella).
In this situation, if the swelling occurred within a 3 hour time period following the injury, often the concern would be about a torn ACL. Anytime there is a knee joint swelling, I would absolutely recommend you see your sports medicine physician for an evaluation and diagnosis. If you have a question, email Chris B. Hart, M.Ed, ATC, CSCS at chart@corechicago.org. Or visit www.abalive.com.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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