Ligament Injury Of Knee – Causes And Treatments – Injuries to the ligaments that run through the knee joint can cause severe pain and loss of function. Sports injuries, falls, or vehicular accidents frequently cause them. These injuries are often caused by trauma to the knee. The knee is one of the most commonly injured body parts.
As much as 80% of all people diagnosed with a torn ACL, PCL, MCL or meniscus tear end up needing surgery, with only 10% of those able to return to the same level of activity they were before the injury. This article provides a comprehensive guide on what causes these injuries and what treatments are available.
Most people know that ACL tears are very common injuries, but did you know there are other ligament injuries you should be mindful of too?
This article will take you through a quick and easy way of understanding the most common knee ligament injuries and how to treat them effectively.
There is a good chance that you may already be experiencing some symptoms of one of these conditions, and you may not know that it is a knee ligament problem until you are already experiencing the pain.
Ligament Injury
Most people know that ACL tears are very common injuries, but did you know there are other ligament injuries you should be mindful of too? The most common ligament injury in the knee is the medial collateral ligament (MCL). It’s also known as the “meniscus” in the middle of the knee. The MCL is a tough ligament and can sustain a lot of damage. The most common cause of an MCL injury is a direct blow to the knee, such as a fall onto an outstretched leg or a car accident.
Other causes include:
-Overuse, particularly from playing sports or heavy lifting
-Overextension
-Overcompensation during jumping
-Injury to the cartilage in the knee
-Severe arthritis
-An injury to the medial meniscus
-A direct blow to the knee
-Medial meniscus tear
-Sprain
-Osteoarthritis
Symptoms
Most people know that ACL tears are very common, but did you know there are other ligament injuries you should be mindful of too?
I am sure you are wondering why you are reading this article if you already knew that you had torn an ACL or had some injury requiring surgery.
Well, you are reading this article because you are looking for ways to treat this injury.
The good news is that you do have options available to you.
Ligament Injury Treatment
Most people know that ACL tears are very common, but did you know there are other ligament injuries you should be mindful of too?
One of the most common ligament injuries is the PCL tear. It is a complex ligament injury requiring the doctor to be skilled in both knee surgery and diagnosis. There are two types of PCL tears. The first is a partial tear, which is less serious and can be treated with conservative measures.
The second is a complete tear, a much more serious injury requiring surgery.
PCL tears are often misdiagnosed as meniscal tears because they are very similar on the surface. However, they are much more serious.
The knee menisci are cartilage cushions between the bones of the leg and the knee and are vital for maintaining the stability and alignment of the knee.
Meniscal tears are very common and account for approximately 20% of all knee injuries.
However, unlike ACL tears, a meniscal tear does not require surgery and can usually be treated with conservative methods.
Symptoms of a PCL tear include pain, locking, and instability.
PCL tears can result from either an injury or a gradual process, such as arthritis.
PCL tears are generally treated conservatively and, if left untreated, can lead to severe knee problems.
A PCL tear can occur due to a sports or non-sport-related injury.
A PCL tear can also result from a gradual degeneration of the knee.
Symptoms of a PCL tear include pain, locking, and instability.
The PCL tear is a common injury but is often misdiagnosed and can lead to severe knee problems if not treated.
Injury causes
I know that ACL tears are very common, but did you know there are other ligament injuries you should be aware of too?
This article provides a comprehensive guide on what causes these injuries and what treatments are available.
What are the common causes of knee injuries?
Amenorrhea is a condition where a woman experiences no menstrual cycle.
Athletic Injuries: These injuries are generally due to overuse and usually occur after a long training period.
Bursitis is a painful inflammation of the bursa.
Cartilage Injury: This is the injury of the cartilage of the knee joint.
Chondromalacia patella is the degeneration of the cartilage of the kneecap.
Dislocation is the disruption of the bones of the knee joint.
A gout is a form of arthritis characterized by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints and other tissues.
Hamstring Strains are strains of the hamstring muscle, which is the muscle that runs down the back of the thigh and inserts into the lower leg.
Ligament Tear: A tear or rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint.
Meniscus Tear: This is a tear of the meniscus of the knee.
Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs when the cartilage between the bones of the knee joint wears down, causing pain and stiffness.
Patellar Tendonitis: This condition occurs when the patellar tendon becomes inflamed.
Plica Syndrome is the presence of a thickened or hardened area of skin on the neck of the femur or thigh bone. Popliteal Cyst is a swelling of the soft tissue in the back of the knee.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
Q: What’s the biggest misconception about ligament injuries?
A: Most people think that if they are injured, it will just go away. However, it can be very painful. I did a photo shoot recently and had to stop and lay down. After taking X-rays, I found out that I had torn my ACL. I could walk, but the next day I could barely walk. I didn’t even want to try to walk because of how painful it was.
Q: How did you know that you were injured?
A: I felt a pop in my knee. It was really weird. I couldn’t tell if I had hurt myself or not. I thought I’d just tweaked something or strained it.
Q: Why did you decide to have surgery?
A: The doctor said I needed surgery to help me heal faster. Also, I heard from another athlete that his ACL had been cured without surgery.
Q: How long did you have to recover from your injury?
A: I had to do two months of physical therapy before I was able to walk. I was back to walking in three months.
Q: What’s the best thing about being an athlete?
A: Being able to compete against me. I also love the mental aspect of athletics.
Myths About ligament injury
1. Ligament injury of the knee is common.
2. Ligament injury of the knee can be cured within one year.
3. The ligament injury of the knee can be cured with physiotherapy.
4. The ligament injury of the knee can be cured without operation.
5. The ligament injury of the knee can be cured with acupuncture.
6. The ligament injury of the knee can be cured with moxibustion.
7. The ligament injury of the knee can be cured with cupping.
Conclusion
I know the pain of a knee injury. I’ve suffered from ACL and meniscus injuries myself.
There are a few different reasons for a ligament injury. They can range from a sudden twist of your knee to a traumatic event like a car accident.
The most common type of ligament injury is called a strain. This means your ligament is stretched beyond its normal limit.
You may have heard of ACL injuries, but many other ligaments in your knee can be injured. Your meniscus, which acts as a shock absorber inside your knee, can also become torn.
These injuries are very painful and can sometimes lead to permanent damage. If left untreated, these injuries can cause chronic problems.
Fortunately, there are several treatments available to help. The most common treatment is rest and physical therapy. Other times, surgery may be necessary. It’s important to find a doctor experienced with your type of injury when that happens.