Ligaments

Ligaments provide stability to the knee joints. The two collateral (medial & lateral ) provide sideways stability and the two cruciates (anterior & posterior) provide stability in a front and backward direction. Anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments are commonly injured.

 

Cruciate ligament injury

This ligament is usually torn in the middle and cannot be repaired. Rarely it is pulled out with a piece of bone at the end in which case it can be repaired.

Common complaints

• marked swelling of the knee & moderate to severe pain shortly after injury. The knee usually starts to give way 4-6 weeks later.

 

Diagnosis & investigation

• examination of the patient, X-Ray & MRI scan. Key hole surgery and examination of the knee under General anaesthesia may be required.

 

Treatment

• not all patients with cruciate ligament injury will require surgery. Reconstruction of the ligament is required if the knee keeps giving way and is uncomfortable and swollen after activity. If untreated it  may lead to tear of the menisci. Reconstruction of the ligament is done by either using a patellar tendon or a hamstring tendon as a graft.

 

Recovery

• rehabilitation usually takes 6 weeks to three months and full recovery may take 6-9 months.

 

Medial collateral ligament

An injury to a medial collateral ligament is usually associated with injury to other structures like meniscus, cruciate ligament and bone bruise. In the majority of cases the ligament heals without surgery. However surgery may be required especially when other structures are injured or the patient’s lifestyle or profession places a high physical demand on the knee.