Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injury

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Nationally Ranked in Orthopedics – #1 in DFW

UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked the No. 1 hospital for orthopedic care in Dallas-Fort Worth and among the best nationally by U.S. News & World Report.

A sports-related knee or lower leg injury can take athletes of all ages and levels away from the activities they love. Fractures, ligament tears, chronic knee pain, and other problems are common for active individuals, and they can easily impact both athletic performance and day-to-day life.

At UT Southwestern Medical Center, our sports medicine team understands the frustration and pain that can accompany a knee or lower leg injury. Our multidisciplinary specialists personalize care so athletes can return to the field as quickly and safely as possible, with little to no long-term side effects.

What Are Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?

Sports-related knee and lower leg injuries are conditions that affect the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles that support movement in the knee and lower leg.

Knee and leg injuries often occur from impact or during athletic activities that involve running, jumping, sudden stops, or quick changes in direction.

What Are the Types of Sports-Related Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?

Common sports-related knee and lower leg injuries include:

Ligament injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) strains, as well as other knee or ankle sprains that affect joint stability
Meniscus tears, involving damage to the tissue that cushions and supports the knee joint
Tendon injuries, including patellar tendonitis, patellar tendon strains or tears, or quadriceps tendon strains or tears that affect the front of the knee
Anterior knee pain conditions, such as runner’s knee, often linked to overuse or improper movement patterns
Knee dislocation, a serious injury in which the bones of the knee are forced out of alignment
Overuse and stress-related injuries, including chronic exertional compartment syndrome and stress injuries affecting the lower leg bones, such as the tibia or fibula
Fractures, which may involve the kneecap (patella), shin bone (tibia), fibula, thigh bone (femur), or other bones in the lower leg

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injury Treatment?

At UT Southwestern, our multidisciplinary Sports Medicine team includes orthopedic surgeons, physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists, family medicine sports medicine doctors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, nutritionists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers. We offer comprehensive care for sports-related knee and lower leg injuries that combines advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatment options, and coordinated specialty expertise to support recovery and long-term joint health.

We offer:

Treatment for all sports-related knee and leg injuries, from acute injuries to chronic overuse conditions
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections that use a patient’s own blood components to help reduce inflammation and support healing in select injuries
An anatomic approach to ACL reconstruction that restores the ligament to its natural position to improve knee stability and movement
Carefully designed injury prevention programs to strengthen a patient’s knees and lower legs and reduce the risk of future injury

Our orthopedic surgeons are trusted by athletes throughout North Texas. We treat a high volume of patients who have sports-related injuries, and we have extensive experience with knee and lower leg conditions. Our experience working with professional athletes helps us better treat active patients of all kinds.

In addition, patients benefit from:

A major referral center for knee injury rehabilitation, caring for patients from across the region who require coordinated, high-level recovery support
Rehabilitation that begins early and progresses intentionally, with close guidance to restore strength, stability, range of motion, and confidence in movement
Access to an academic medical center recognized for orthopedic care, where advanced techniques, team-based care, and clinical research shape treatment decisions

What Are the Symptoms of Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?

Sports-related knee and lower leg injuries can cause a range of symptoms that affect comfort, movement, and joint stability. Symptoms include:

Bruising or tenderness
Catching or locking of the knee
Difficulty walking due to instability
Loss of full range of motion
Knee swelling or stiffness
Knee pain, especially at the sides of the knee (pain on the inside of the knee might be an MCL injury, while pain on the outside of the knee could mean an LCL injury)
Popping or crackling sounds in the knee

What Causes Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?

Sports-related knee and lower leg injuries usually result from physical stress placed on the joint and surrounding structures. Causes often involve a combination of movement, training habits, and physical development.

Common causes include:

Sudden twisting or pivoting movements, especially in sports such as soccer, basketball, and football
Direct impact or collisions, such as contact with another player or a fall
Jumping and landing improperly, which increases strain on the knee and lower leg
Overuse or repetitive motion, leading to inflammation or gradual tissue breakdown
Rapid increase in training intensity or frequency without enough recovery time
Poor conditioning or muscle imbalance, which can reduce joint stability
Improper technique or equipment, including footwear that does not provide adequate support

Younger athletes may face additional risk because bones and tissues are more vulnerable to stress during periods of rapid growth.

How Are Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries Diagnosed?

Our specialists can often diagnose knee or lower leg injury by studying a patient’s medical history and conducting a physical exam. Sometimes, as with a torn MCL or ACL, the doctor may order an MRI to get a better look at the ligament.

For recreational athletes or weekend warriors, we might recommend physical therapy or rehabilitation before an MRI. Often, rehabilitation is enough to heal the knee or leg without surgery.

How Are Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries Treated?

Our specialists offer safe, effective treatments focused on reducing downtime and helping patients achieve their long-term performance goals. When establishing a treatment plan, we always consider the specific injury in the knee or leg, the patient’s objectives, and the full spectrum of treatment options available.

Nonsurgical Treatments

Whenever possible, our team offers nonsurgical treatments before recommending surgery.

ACL injury-prevention programs teach athletes how to incorporate normal exercise into their routine to strengthen the ACL. In addition, our program instructs patients how to jump and land in ways that decrease the chance of an ACL injury.
Casting and functional bracing for fractures or severe sprains provide additional support.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs are designed with the athlete’s physiology, athletic goals, and injury history in mind.
Platelet-rich plasma injections, in which platelets from the patient’s own blood are injected into the injured knee or leg tissue, can speed healing. The platelets release growth factors into the injured ligament, tendon, or joint, promoting new cell growth and regeneration.

Surgical Treatments

Our sports medicine specialists are trained to recognize patients who would benefit most from knee surgery or leg surgery for sports-related injuries.

Our doctors are experts in minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopic and mini-open techniques, as well as perform open procedures when needed. Minimally invasive surgery can often decrease a patient’s recovery time from several weeks to mere days.

We also offer an anatomic approach to ACL reconstruction. In this procedure, the surgeon reconstructs the ACL in its natural placement, resulting in positive outcomes for patients undergoing ligament reconstruction surgery.

Following surgery, our intensive physical therapy programs help strengthen the knee or lower leg and get patients back to activity quickly and safely.

What Support Services for Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries Does UT Southwestern Offer?

Physical therapist helps patient with knee

Patients benefit from a coordinated range of services designed to promote healing and protect long-term knee function, including:

Physical therapy and structured rehabilitation programs
Integrated sports medicine care
Education focused on injury prevention and a safe return to physical activity

Together, these services help support recovery, improve strength and mobility, and prepare patients to resume activity safely.

What Clinical Trials Are Available for Sports Knee and Lower Leg Injuries?

UT Southwestern is involved in clinical research focused on advancing care and improving recovery outcomes for knee injuries. Depending on a patient’s diagnosis and treatment approach, participation in clinical trials may be an option.

More information about ongoing studies is available through UT Southwestern providers or by searching current clinical trials.

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