Knee Ligament Injuries

• Knee ligaments are the short bands of elastic tissue that holds the knee together. There are 4 main ligaments in each knee.
• Knee ligament injuries can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can be caused by sports injuries.
• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common ligaments to be injured.
• Treatment may include medicine, muscle-strengthening exercises, a knee brace, or surgery.

Knee ligaments are the short bands of tough, flexible connective tissue that hold the knee together. Knee ligament injuries can be caused by trauma, such as a car accident. Or they can be caused by sports injuries. An example is a twisting knee injury in basketball or skiing.

The knee has 4 major ligaments. Ligaments connect bones to each other. They give the joint stability and strength. The 4 knee ligaments connect the thighbone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). They are:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This ligament is in the center of the knee. It controls rotation and forward movement of the shin bone.
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). This ligament is in the back of the knee. It controls backward movement of the shin bone.
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL). This ligament gives stability to the inner knee.
• Lateral collateral ligament (LCL). This ligament gives stability to the outer knee.

Cruciate injury

A cruciate ligament injury often causes pain. Often you may hear a popping sound when the injury happens. Then your buckles when you try to stand on it. The knee also swells. You also are not able to move your knee as you normally would. You may also pain along the joint and pain when walking. The symptoms of a cruciate ligament injury may seem like other health conditions. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

Collateral ligament injury

An injury to the collateral ligament also causes the knee to pop and buckle. It also causes pain and swelling. Often you will have pain at the sides of the knee and swelling over the injury site. If it is an MCL injury, the pain is on the inside of the knee. An LCL injury may cause pain on the outside of the knee. The knee will also feel unstable, like it is going to give way.

Seek care immediately if:

• You’re unable to walk or move your leg.
• You have an obvious deformity of the knee or leg.

Call your doctor if:

• Your knee locks or catches or makes a clicking, popping or grinding sound.
• Your knee is painful and/or swollen.
• Your knee feels weak or buckles.
• You are unable to fully bend or straighten your knee.
• You have lost trust in your knee to perform activities without problems.

More info and advice can be found here

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