How to Treat Knee Ligament Injuries

A torn or injured ligament in the knee can cause a great deal of pain and suffering. When a patient has suffered a torn ligament in the knee, it is essential to receive medical care as quickly as possible. What steps must one take when treating a knee ligament injury? What sort of treatment will the patient want to avoid? Is surgery an option for a repair? Is surgery the only option for treatment? Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics answers all questions about treating knee ligament injury.

Torn Ligament in Knee Symptoms

So, you’ve suffered a knee injury. How do you know that it is a torn ligament? Could it just be a sprain? Some symptoms of a torn ligament in the knee include:

• Pain: Any severe pain at the time of the injury could mean you have a torn knee ligament.
• Instability: This means that you are unable to support yourself with the injured leg.
• Popping Sound: Sometimes, a torn ligament may present with a popping sound.
• Limited Range of Movement: A torn ligament may be evident if you are unable to move the knee as you once could to its maximum flexibility.
• Bruising
  Check for bruising around the knee.
• Swelling: Excessive swelling could be a sign of a torn ligament.
• Tenderness: If there is tenderness along the joint line, this could be an indicator of a torn ligament.
• Inability to Walk: The inability to walk could mean a very seriously torn ligament. Being completely unable to walk could mean that the ligament has suffered a complete tear.

If there is any doubt, see a physician as soon as possible. Receiving the proper diagnosis will be the key to successfully healing this ligament.

What are Ligaments?

Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands of tissues that connect bones together. Ligaments are a little like tendons, but tendons connect muscle to bone. Ligaments are responsible for only connecting bones. There are four main ligaments in the knee.

What Ligament is on the Inside of the Knee?

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the primary ligament located on the inside of your knee. It runs along the inner side of the knee joint, connecting your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia).

What Ligament is on the Outside of the Knee?

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) like the MCL on the inside of the knee, the LCL helps to stabilize the joint, preventing excessive outward movement

Deep Ligaments of the Knee

The knee joint is a complex structure with multiple ligaments providing stability. While the MCL and LCL are located on the outer sides of the knee, there are ligaments deep within the joint. These are primarily the Cruciate Ligaments:

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): Prevents the tibia from sliding too far forward under the femur.  
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Prevents the tibia from sliding too far backward under the femur.  

Common Knee Ligament Injuries

Some common knee ligament injuries are a torn ACL or a torn MCL.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a common type of knee injury, and many people have heard of it. When the ACL is torn, it is usually because of an athletic injury. Sometimes, a torn ACL can occur simply by running. This is known as a “non-contact” injury.  People often describe the knee as shifting at the time of injury and feels unstable after injury.

The second most common type of knee ligament injury is a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL). An MCL injury frequently occurs if there is an impact on the outside of the knee. This is known as a “contact” injury.

While many knee ligament injuries occur on the field or during a sporting event, they can also happen due to household accidents. Many people report tripping and falling as a cause of knee ligament injuries.

What Knee Injuries Don’t Require Surgery?

Many knee injuries do not require surgery. Most commonly, these would be in the event of a partial ligament tear. For these incidents, doctors may recommend the following:

• Rest
• Ice
• Compression
• Elevation

This form of therapy is known as RICE. It’s a great acronym to remember when dealing with a mild to moderate knee ligament injury.

What Knee Injuries Require Surgery?

There are, however, many cases in which a knee ligament tear will require surgery. This can occur when there is a complete tear to the ligament. It is essential to obtain a diagnosis for any knee ligament injury that arises so that the proper treatment can be implemented.

Conclusion

No matter the injury's severity, you don’t want to be in pain. When you have a torn knee ligament, it is advised to take the weight off the leg with the use of crutches as soon as possible.  It is important to seek orthopedic evaluation promptly to determine the extent of the ligamentous injury and to provide recommendations for the treatment of the injury.

Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics

Are you seeking care for a torn ligament? Look no further than Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics in Indiana. Offering many therapies, such as physical therapy, surgical care. and more. We are equipped to handle any type of torn knee ligament. Your go-to acute urgent care for all orthopedic issues, we will help you with a diagnosis and a treatment plan. We are your one-stop shop for orthopedic care. Here, you can receive a diagnosis, receive imagery and see a physician so that you can be on your way with a treatment plan in place as soon as possible. Visit our website for more information. Or, for urgent assistance, visit our HURT app.