AbiliTech

Account limit of 2039 requests per hour exceeded.

Knee ligament injuries

What are knee ligaments?

Ligaments are strong cords of tissue that hold joints together and connect them to the adjacent bones. There are four in the knee: medial collateral ligament (MCL)

lateral collateral ligament (LCL)

anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Any one of these ligaments, or a combination of them, can become stretched, or partially or completely torn.

What are the common symptoms and complications of collateral ligament injuries?

Damage to the MCL will cause tenderness on the inside edge of the knee and in some cases there will also be swelling. Partial or complete tearing will cause more severe pain and swelling.
Damage to the LCL causes pain and tenderness on the outside edge of the knee and there may also be swelling.
What causes cruciate ligament injuries and who is at risk?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs from the bottom rear of the thigh bone (femur) to the top front of the shin bone (tibia). The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) runs from the bottom front of the femur to the top rear of the tibia. They cross each other, forming an 'X'.
These ligaments can be injured by: coming to a sudden stop, especially when running,

changing direction while running, turning or landing from a jump,

running downhill,

twisting the knee,

stretching the knee joint too far to right or left,

Blows to the knee.

The PCL is stronger than the ACL and therefore less prone to injury. ACL damage, on the other hand, is one of the most frequent sports knee injuries.
What are the common symptoms and complications of cruciate ligament injuries?
When you damage your ACL, it is common to hear a distinct popping sound. You may also feel something snap inside your knee. Other symptoms include:

swelling,

an unstable knee, making it difficult to walk,

the knee locking during movement,

Pain and tenderness.

PCL injury usually does not cause the 'pop' sound you hear when you injure the ACL . Other symptoms of a PCL injury are similar to those in ACL injuries.

How do doctors recognise cruciate ligament injuries?

The doctor may also press gently over your kneecap to feel for fluid in the joint, especially if the injured knee is not severely swollen.
Other tests include: An X-ray,

An MRI examination.

Prevention

Many injuries to the knee ligaments cannot be avoided because rough contact is such an integral part of many sports, such as football and rugby. To reduce the risk of knee ligament injuries:

exercise regularly to stay in shape,

stretch and warm up before starting the activity,

wear kneepads or other suitable protection,

stick to the proper technique for the activity,

wear properly cushioned sports footwear,

train on appropriate surfaces.

Self-care action plan

The first aid treatment is the same whichever ligament is injured. Follow the RICE procedure: Rest the injury by avoiding movement of the affected joint.

Ice packs or cold compresses should be applied to the knee to reduce swelling.

Compress the joint by bandaging it, firmly but not too tightly, with an elasticated support bandage

Elevate the joint by keeping it supported above your heart, especially at night while sleeping.

On the first day of the injury, put ice on the affected area for 15 minutes. Then remove the ice for 15 minutes. Repeat this cycle throughout the day.

Lie down and support the knee in an elevated position. Avoid flexing the knee joint or putting any strain on it until the pain and swelling subside.

A painkiller or anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help.

About the Author

Sajid Latif is writing in financial topics and have strong knowledge in all financial matters and points like money and finance, loans life insurance and health insurance etc. To get one best quote for health insurance please visit us.

Tags:   exercise · health · knee · running · sports · sports knee brace · sports knee injuries · sports knee injury · sports knee pads · sports knee replacementNo Comments