On Wednesday, February 20th, 2019, Duke’s superstar freshman suffered a right knee sprain thirty seconds into their game against rivals UNC. Dribbling the ball early in the game, Williamson planted his foot to change directions. His shoe panel ripped and his left foot popped free of his shoe. He immediately clutched his knee. Williamson did not return for the remainder of the game.
After the game, Blue Devils coach Mike Kryzewski stated Williamson sustained a “mild knee sprain,” but the knee was stable. What this means is this is likely an injury to the medial collateral ligament, a ligament that heals quickly on its own, rather than the anterior cruciate ligament, which doesn’t heal and usually leads to surgical reconstruction in an athlete that pivots (twists) a lot. A knee sprain is a partial or completed tear of a ligament. A ligament is a structure that connects and stabilizes two bones where they meet at a joint.
Treatments might include ice and modification of activity, limiting stress on the ligament but maintaining motion. Sometimes a brace is used for comfort.
