Types of Knee Ligament Injuries and the Possible Ways to Manage Them?

A knee ligament injury can be challenging in both ways, physically and mentally. The injury affects individuals of all ages and all activity levels. Knee ligament injuries may result from different causes and make you feel pain, swelling, difficulty mobility, and other symptoms based on the intensity of the injury. A knee is made up of several ligaments, and the injury is possible with any ligament. Here in this article, we are going to discuss common knee ligament injuries along with the possible ways to manage them. We will also elaborate on the common causes and symptoms of these ligament injuries, helping you know how to manage them more accurately.

The common types of knee ligament injuries

A knee is made up of several ligaments, including cruciate and collateral ligaments. The following are the commonly found knee ligament injuries:

1.         Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common knee injury resulting when the ligament connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone is affected. The anterior cruciate ligament helps provide stability to the knee joint, especially when your knee is involved in pivoting or twisting movements.

ACL injury most commonly results from sports activities. The injury happens due to sudden stops or changes in directions. As well as this, any direct impact or awkward landing from a jump may also result in an ACL injury. The common symptoms associated with ACL injury may include knee joint pain, popping sensation or sound in the joint, joint instability, limited range of motion, and swelling. You may also feel other sensations or symptoms based on the intensity of the injury.

2.         Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury

The posterior cruciate ligament is one of the major ligaments in the knee joints. The posterior cruciate ligament helps connect the thigh bone to the shin bone. The ligament is located inside the knee joint and helps with knee stability. The primary function of PCL is to prevent the tibia or shinbone from moving away or backwards in relation to the thighbone, also known as the femur.

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury usually results from direct trauma at the front side of the knee joint. The condition may also happen from overextension or hyperextension of the knee joint. Any direct blow to the knee during sports and road or car accidents may also result in PCL injury. The injury intensity may range from a mild strain to a partial tear or a complete rupture. The condition usually results in knee joint pain, swelling, difficulty walking, instability, and others. The symptoms may differ based on the intensity of the strain or rupture.

3.         Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury

The medial collateral ligament is a band of tissues lying inside the knee joint. The ligament plays a vital role in stabilising the knee joint. The ligament also prevents the knee joint to bend inward too far. Any damage or sprain to the medial collateral ligament may result in medial collateral ligament injury. MCL injury may also result from a direct blow to the knee joint during sports, falling, and other activities. The common symptoms associated with MCL injury may include tenderness, joint instability, difficulty walking, pain, and swelling.

4.         Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury

The lateral collateral ligament is located outside the knee joint and the primary function of this ligament is to provide stability to the knee joint. As well as this, it prevents the knee from excessive side-to-side movements. LCL injury happens when an external force pushes the knee joint outward. It usually happens due to twisting motion or collision during sports and other accidental conditions. Pain is the basic symptom of LCL injury. You may also feel instability, limited range of motion, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight.

Possible treatment Plans for knee ligament injuries

According to your conditions or the intensity of the injury, healthcare professionals will suggest the best treatment plans. However, the following are considered the most effective plans:

Non-surgical treatment plans

Healthcare professionals follow any of the given non-surgical treatment plans to reduce mild to moderate symptoms of knee ligament injury:

1.         Rest and immobilisation

Whenever you feel pain and other discomforts following an injury, you must halt all of your activities and provide your knees with complete rest. You must also immobilise your knee joints. It will help minimise pain and reduce the chances of further damage.

2.         Medications

Healthcare professionals may suggest you take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, NSAIDs to reduce pain, swelling, and other discomforts. However, ensure that you are taking the right medicine in the right amount to get maximum benefits.

3.         Physical therapy

Physical therapy is another recommended treatment that helps you deal with the mild to moderate symptoms of knee ligament injuries. Physical therapy helps reduce pain and swelling and improves the mobility of your knee joint. What you need is to find a professional therapist to maximise the benefits.

4.         Knee support braces

Wearing knee support braces helps immobilise your injured knee joint and provides it with needed support and compression. Thus, it helps avoid further injury and improves blood circulation. Consequently, wearing knee support braces helps speed up recovery following a knee ligament injury.

Indeed knee braces help you deal with the symptoms of knee ligament injuries. However, you must ensure when you should wear knee braces and what type of brace is best according to your needs. It will help you get maximum benefits.

5.         PRP injections

In this treatment plan, the patient’s own platelets that contain growth factors are injected into the injured area. The purpose of this treatment is to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue healing.

Surgical treatment plans

When non-surgical treatment plans are not sufficient in reducing the symptoms, or the injury is severe, healthcare professionals suggest surgical treatments. The following are the possible surgical treatment plans to get a full recovery from knee ligament injuries:

1.         Arthroscopy

This surgical treatment involves making small incisions to visualise the injured knee ligaments. The process helps repair the targeted ligament.

2.         Ligaments reconstruction

During this process, the injured ligament is replaced with a graft, taken from the patient’s own body or a donor. The process allows gradual healing and restores knee stability.

3.         Combined procedures

In some severe cases or complexities, combined procedures are performed to get a full recovery. For example, meniscal repair or ligament reconstruction or cartilage restoration process are combined to get a full recovery.

4.         Ligament repair

During this process, the damaged ligaments are repaired and sutured from end to end or with additional structures to promote the healing process.