Nashville-regen-June-6

Knee Ligament Injuries & How They’re Treated

Knee ligaments are tight; elastic bands of connective tissue encircle a knee joint to support and limit mobility. Your knee ligaments are robust enough to withstand the stresses of daily living. However, as powerful as they are, they are not impervious to injury.

Knee ligament injuries may be severe, painful, and scary when they occur. They do not, however, have to slow you down indefinitely. Treatment options for this ailment are more sophisticated than ever before, and getting back on your feet may be straightforward.

Knee Ligaments Injuries

 Four knee ligaments link the femur to the tibia.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). It is located at the center of the knee which governs the tibia’s gyration and forward motion (shin bone).

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).  This ligament attaches the thigh bone to the shin bone ( except for vehicle accidents, it is rarely harmed.)

The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). This ligament attaches to the thighbone and tibia on the inside of the knee. It helps to stabilize and shield the knee joint from stresses applied to the side of the leg, and it aids in decreasing the amount of side-to-side movement experienced by the knee.

The Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). It attaches to the femur and shin bone on the outside of the knee. It also helps stabilize and shield the knee joint against pressure applied to the side of the leg and limits sideways knee motion.

Signs and Symptoms of Knee Ligament Injuries

  1. Pain, which is frequently abrupt and intense
  2. A sensation of looseness in the joint. An inability to place weight on the joint without discomfort, or any weight at all
  3. A snapping sound during the injury can occasionally be heard and felt if the ligament is ripped.
  4. Swelling during the first 24 hours after the injury- Some bleeding may be inside your knee joint when a ligament is injured. This might result in knee edema. The severity of the damage will determine the extent of swelling.
  5. When you try to put weight on your knee, it buckles or shakes.
  6. Severe discomfort that makes it impossible to move (However, ACL tears sometimes do not cause pain)
  7. Bruising or browning of the skin around the knee
  8. There might be tenderness around your knee when you touch it.
  9. When you try to stand on your knee, you may sense it is unstable or giving way, based on how severe the ligament injury is.

How Is A Knee Ligament Injury Diagnosed?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). A diagnostic process that uses radiofrequency, huge magnets, and a computer to provide comprehensive pictures of organs inside the body, can frequently detect damage or illness in bones and a neighboring ligament.

X-ray. It is an imaging technique that rules out bone damage rather than a ligament lesion. It employs power beams to create film pictures of inside organs, tissues, and bones.

Arthroscopy. This method is used to diagnose and treat joint issues. The healthcare professional inserts a tiny, illuminated tube (arthroscope) through a small cut into the joint (incision). A screen displays images of the interior of the joint. The treatment can evaluate joint abnormalities, detect bone illnesses and malignancies, and determine the source of bone discomfort and inflammation.

What Are The Treatment Options For Knee Ligament Injuries?

  • Limiting activity
  • Elevating the leg
  •  anti-inflammatory pain medicine such as ibuprofen
  • Resting the knee joint as much as possible,
  • Muscle-strengthening exercises
  • Using ice and compression to ease swelling
  • Surgery

Final Thoughts

Whatever the treatment for a torn ligament, it is critical that you consult a physician as soon as possible. Physical therapy can reduce issues and speed up healing in most circumstances. Trauma, such as a vehicle collision, can result in knee ligament injury. Sporting injuries can also cause them.