Knee Ligament Injuries
Knee Joint Pain
The knee joint comprises of four important ligaments. Ligaments are elastic in nature and provide stability and strength while connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone. The four important ligaments that connect the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) are:
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) - the ligament that provides stability to the inner knee.
- Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) - the ligament that provides stability to the outer knee.
- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) - is located at the center of the knee and controls rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone). It also ensures that the shin bone does not slide forward beneath the thighbone.
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) - this ligament is located at the center of the knee and controls backward movement of the shin bone. This ligament works in tandem with the ACL.
These four ligaments provide flexibility and strength to the knee joint. Injury to ligaments has varying signs and symptoms. It is possible that more than one ligament is injured at a time. Sports and accidents are key reasons that lead to knee injuries.
It is observed that collateral ligaments are often injured due to force while cruciate ligaments are usually injured due to sudden directional, rotational or twisting movements that cause tear or injury to the ligaments. The ACL is the most commonly affected ligament as compared to the other ligaments.
Symptoms of Knee Joint Pain
Some common symptoms associated with knee ligament injuries are:
- Severe Pain
- Immediate Swelling
- Tenderness around the knee area
- Inability to bear body weight
- Instability
- Knee locking or popping
Causes
The key causes that lead to knee ligament injuries are accidents and sports. Stretching and twisting motions put undue pressure on the ligaments that lead to tears and injuries. Knee Joint Pain Diagnosis and Treatment The known methods to diagnose knee ligament injuries are:
- Physical Examination
- X Rays
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
- Arthroscopy
- Radionuclide Bone Scan
The treatment for knee ligament injuries depends on the extent of the injury, age, medical history and personal preference of treatment.
The common ways to treat ligaments are:
Non Surgical Methods:
- Ice Packs
- Physiotherapy
- Exercises
- Knee Braces
- NSAIDS'S
- Ketoprofen 20% Cream
Surgical Methods:
- Suturing Torn Ligaments
- Reconstruction of Ligaments by Grafting
Dr. Emmanuel - Providing services in orthopedic surgery to the area of Culver City, Los Angeles and Beveraly Hills, California (CA).
