3. Swelling of the Knee
After an ACL tear, the knee is expected to swell within the first 24 hours. The tear affects blood vessels causing the blood to leak directly in the knee hence the swelling. It is not common to experience external bleeding during an ACL tear unless the impact severely damaged the skin into the ligaments causing blood to gush out. Even so, the knee area will still swell owing to the body’s self-healing mechanism.
After an injury, the body’s defense responds by sending a legion of white blood cells to the torn area. The rapid movement of fluid into the injured area causes the knee to swell and become painful. In most cases, the pain and swelling subside with time, although icing the area and elevating the leg a little with a pillow can help reduce these signs. It is important to refrain from physical activities that engage the knee least the damage to the ligament worsens.
