Knee injury: when should I get it checked?

This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency

Knee injuries are common after sport, falls, twisting injuries, workplace injuries, direct knocks, or awkward landings. Some knee injuries are simple sprains or bruises that improve with support and time. Others may involve a broken bone, kneecap injury, ligament injury, meniscus or cartilage injury, tendon injury, or joint instability.

It can be difficult to tell how serious a knee injury is without an assessment. Pain and swelling are common after knee injuries, but symptoms such as a popping sensation, rapid swelling, locking, giving way, deformity, or being unable to put weight on the leg can suggest a more significant injury.

Shorecare can assess knee injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, sports injuries, falls and workplace injuries. If an X-ray is needed, our team can help arrange this. When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, which means imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

Seek urgent help immediately if:

• There has been major trauma, such as a serious fall, vehicle accident, or crush injury.

• The person is very unwell, faint, confused, drowsy, pale, clammy, or has severe pain.

• There is a bone sticking out, a badly deformed knee or leg, or heavy bleeding.

• The foot or lower leg is cold, blue, numb, very weak, or the pain is rapidly worsening.

• There is a serious open wound, crush injury, or concern about damage to blood vessels, nerves or deeper structures.

A knee injury should be checked if:

• You cannot put weight on the injured leg.

• You have significant swelling, bruising, deformity, or severe pain.

• The knee became swollen quickly after the injury.

• You heard or felt a pop, snap, or tear at the time of injury.

• The knee feels unstable, gives way, or does not feel safe to stand on.

• The knee is locked, stuck, or you cannot fully bend or straighten it.

• The kneecap looked like it moved out of place or the knee looked deformed.

• There is pain over the bone, around the kneecap, or along the joint line.

• The injury happened during sport, work, a fall, a twist, or a direct blow.

• A child is limping, refusing to walk, or cannot settle after a knee injury.

• The pain or swelling is not improving after a day or two, or symptoms are getting worse.

Is it a knee sprain, ligament injury or fracture?

A sprain is an injury to the ligaments that support a joint. A fracture is a broken bone. A meniscus injury involves one of the shock-absorbing cartilages inside the knee. These injuries can cause similar symptoms, including pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness and difficulty walking.

Some fractures or dislocations are obvious. Other knee injuries, including ligament and meniscus injuries, may not be obvious at first. An assessment can help decide whether an X-ray, support, crutches, referral, rehabilitation guidance, or follow-up care is needed.

Do I need an X-ray for a knee injury?

Not every knee injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will usually ask what happened, examine your knee, check where the pain is, look for swelling or deformity, and assess whether you can put weight on the leg.

An X-ray may be recommended if there is concern about a fracture, dislocation, or other bony injury. Sometimes the most important step is not the X-ray itself, but getting the knee properly assessed.

Why should a knee injury be assessed early?

Knee injuries can affect walking, sport, work, and confidence using the leg. A poorly managed knee injury can lead to ongoing pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, instability, or repeated giving way.

Getting the right treatment early can help recovery and reduce the risk of longer-term problems. Depending on the injury, treatment may include support, strapping, a brace, crutches, pain relief advice, imaging, rehabilitation guidance, referral for specialist care, or follow-up review.

What should I do before coming in?

• Rest the injured knee.

• Apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth for short periods.

• Use compression or support if comfortable.

• Keep the leg raised if possible.

• Avoid putting weight on the injury if it is very painful or unstable.

• Use simple pain relief like paracetamol if you can take it safely.

• Do not force the knee to bend or straighten if it is very painful.

• Do not try to “walk it off” if you cannot weight-bear normally, the knee feels unstable, or it is swollen and painful.

How Shorecare can help

Shorecare can assess knee injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, ligament injuries, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.

Depending on the injury, care may include clinical assessment, X-ray through our radiology partner Canopy Imaging, pain relief advice, strapping, bracing, splinting, crutches, ACC documentation, referral for hospital or specialist care, or follow-up orthopaedic/fracture clinic review.

When clinically appropriate, many of our nurses can request X-rays at triage, so imaging may be started before you are seen by a doctor or nurse specialist.

If the knee injury is more serious, Shorecare can assess and stabilise you and arrange transfer to hospital by ambulance if needed.

If you are unsure whether your knee injury needs medical care, we are here to provide a full assessment.

Frequently asked questions

Can I come to Shorecare for a knee injury?

Yes. Shorecare can assess knee injuries, including sprains, suspected fractures, ligament injuries, sports injuries, workplace injuries and falls.

Do I need an X-ray for a knee injury?

Not every knee injury needs an X-ray. A clinician will assess what happened, where the pain is, how the knee is moving, whether there is swelling or deformity, and whether there are signs of fracture or another significant injury.

What does it mean if my knee popped and swelled up?

A pop or snap followed by swelling can happen with a significant knee injury, including ligament, meniscus, kneecap or fracture-related injuries. It is sensible to get assessed, especially if the knee is swollen, painful, unstable, locked, or difficult to walk on.

Should I get checked if my knee is locked or giving way?

Yes. A knee that is locked, stuck, giving way, or feels unstable should be assessed. These symptoms can suggest an injury that may need support, imaging, referral, rehabilitation guidance, or follow-up care.

Can Shorecare help with ACC knee injuries?

Yes. Shorecare can assess and treat ACC knee injuries, including sports injuries, workplace injuries, falls, sprains and suspected fractures.

When should a knee injury go to hospital?

Call 111 or go directly to the emergency department if there has been major trauma, a bone is sticking out, there is heavy bleeding, the foot or lower leg is cold, blue or numb, the pain is rapidly worsening, or the person is very unwell.

General information

This page provides general health information and does not replace assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure what care is needed, Shorecare can assess your injury. Call 111 in an emergency.