1. What is knee ligament injury?
A knee ligament injury is a sprain of one or more of the four ligaments in the knee joint, the medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries are caused by overstretching or tearing the ligaments due to a twist or sprain of the knee.
The knee joint has four ligaments that stabilize the joint. Any part of the knee ligaments can be injured from running, jumping, twisting, or spraining the knee. You may have heard of someone tearing their ACL, but this is only one possible knee ligament injury, below is a complete list of all knee ligament injuries you could suffer.
1). Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
Your ACL connects the inside of the top of your tibia (shinbone) to the outside bottom of your femur (thighbone) in front of your knee. It helps stop the tibia from sliding in front of your thighbone and controls the rotation of your knee. An ACL injury occurs when the ligament stretches or tears and is one of the most common knee ligament injuries.
2). Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
Your PCL is the strongest ligament in your knee and therefore the least likely to be injured. It connects the bottom of your femur (thighbone) to the top of your fibula (shinbone) in the back of your knee. It is responsible for controlling the backward movement (extension) of your knee. A PCL injury occurs when the ligament stretches or tears and is often referred to as a “hyperextended knee.”
3). Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injury
Your MCL connects the top of your tibia (shinbone) to the bottom of your femur (thighbone) on the inside of your knee. It helps provide stability to the inside of your knee. An MCL injury occurs when the ligament stretches or tears.
4). Collateral ligament (LCL) injury
Your LCL connects the bottom of your femur (thigh bone) to the top of your fibula (shin bone) on the outside of your knee. It helps provide stability to the outside of your knee. An LCL injury occurs when the ligament stretches or tears.
2. What causes ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries?
The most common cause of knee ligament injuries is a sports injury, either from jumping and landing the wrong way, causing a sharp change in the direction of the knee, or from a blunt force that hits the knee, such as in football. Knee ligament injuries can occur outside of sports, such as in a car accident where a blunt force to the knee occurs.
3. Are there different degrees of ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries?
All four types of knee ligament injuries have three levels of severity:
Mild Grade 1 sprain: This is the least severe and occurs when the knee ligaments stretch but do not break. Although it does not affect the stability of the knee, it should still be treated because it increases the likelihood of repetitive injury.
Moderate Grade 2 sprain: The injured ligaments in the knee are partially torn, causing swelling, pain, and difficulty moving the knee.
Severe Grade 3 sprain: The injured ligaments in the knee are completely torn, causing the knee to be very unstable and unable to bear weight.
4. What are the symptoms of ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries?
Depending on the severity of the knee ligament injury, you will experience varying degrees of pain and swelling as well as the following symptoms:
(1) Redness and swelling
(2) Reduced range of motion in the knee
(3) Difficulty or inability to put weight on the leg
(4) Feeling of looseness in the knee
(5) Looseness in the joint
(6) When a severe grade III sprain occurs, a popping sound may be heard
(7) When a severe grade III sprain occurs, there may be bleeding under the skin
(8) Pain, especially in the area of the injured ligament/ligament.
(9) Sometimes, when a severe grade III sprain occurs, there is no pain because the pain receptors are cut off
5. How are ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL injuries treated?
Mild grade I and moderate grade II strains can be treated at home and in a clinical setting, but severe grade III strains always require treatment in a clinical setting. For mild and moderate strains, you can try the following home remedies:
1. Rest and elevate your knee
2. Apply ice
3. Avoid activity
4. Compress the knee with an elastic bandage or tape
5. Use anti-inflammatory pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to relieve pain
6. Use a knee brace to help provide support and stability
In addition to the above treatments, seeking treatment from a health physical therapist will aid the healing process and help ensure that the ligament fibers heal properly, reducing the risk of future knee ligament injuries.
6. Do I need ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL surgery?
Severe grade III sprains often require surgery, especially when you have a tear in your ACL or PCL, or multiple ligaments. Your doctor will refer you to an orthopedic surgeon who will discuss options with you. Reconstructive knee surgery can take six months or longer to fully recover, but many people can return to their previous level of activity, including high-level sports. If you decide not to have surgery, a custom knee brace can be used to help with leg instability.
7.Physical Therapy for ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL Injuries
A health physical therapist can treat all types of knee ligament injuries and can work with patients recovering from knee reconstruction surgery. Physical therapy for knee ligament injuries includes:
1. Functional retraining and activity modification
2. Strengthening and range of motion exercises
3. Manual therapy (joint and soft tissue mobilization)
4. Individualized exercise program
5. Customized knee brace or splint
6. Fitted crutches
7. Taping the affected area
8. Pain relief modalities such as: ultrasound therapy/heat and ice therapy/electrical stimulation
8. Will an ACL, PCL, MCL or LCL injury heal on its own?
Yes, mild grade I sprains, moderate grade II sprains can go away on their own with home treatments including:
1. Resting the knee
2. Applying cold therapy
3. Taking pain medications
However, if your injury was caused by sports, another knee ligament injury may recur and a physical therapist cannot help the ligament fibers heal properly with treatment.
Severe grade III sprains and multiple ligament strains will not go away on their own and require evaluation by your doctor and possibly surgery by an orthopedic surgeon.
9. Can ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL injuries be prevented?
Because knee ligament injuries usually occur with trauma to the knee, they are difficult to prevent. However, you can take steps to reduce their likelihood:
1. Stretch your legs frequently
2. Do a light warm-up before exercise
3. Maintain flexibility
4. Ease into a new exercise routine
Post time: Aug-22-2024