Sports Medicine Specialist | Sports Medicine Questions Knee Injuries and Disorders

Can you still be injured without having pain?

When I was playing basketball the other day, I landed on my knee pretty hard. I felt it give out for second, but it now it doesn't hurt. I'm worried that I may have injured it, even though I don't feel any pain pain. Is it possible to have any injury without any pain?

6 Answers

Yes, there are many structures in the knee that don't have a good nervous supply. If you are experiencing swelling, warmth, etc. you may have injured something.
Greetings! Yes, it’s possible to have an injury without pain. If you’re still experiencing knee instability (catching, locking, or buckling), I would recommend having it evaluated by a clinician. MRI imaging would be appropriate.
Not likely
Unlikely. Injuries cause pain. The only variable is for how long they cause pain.
No
Very unlikely, especially with knee injuries. I do see an occasional knee injury with just swelling and little or no pain.
What You described wouldn't concern me at all unless it keeps occurring.