What are the Knee Ligament Injury Treatment

Knee Ligament 

Have you suffered a knee ligament injury in the past? Or any type of knee injury? Then you know how it can take a long time for these types of injuries to heal, especially if not given the medical attention they need. Knee injuries happen often, and knee ligament injuries just as often. The majority of time you’ll find they are related to sports but sometimes they are work related, and other times they can occur in something as leisurely as a walk. The key is to have your knee ligament injury treated right away to ensure a full and quick recovery.

Next to cartilage injuries, ligament injuries are the most commonly seen. There are three ligaments that provide the support necessary to stabilize the knee – they are the medial, lateral, and posterior ligaments. The job of these three ligament groups is to stop the bones in your knee from slipping from side to side creating instability. Of course there are also muscles and tendons that help support the knee and allow it to move smoothly without incurring any pain.

When you suffer a knee ligament injury you may have to have your knee immobilized to ensure it heals properly. That is usually followed with physiotherapy or sometimes done in conjunction depending on your injury and your doctor. Immobilization can reduce the need for surgery. Since surgery has a very long healing time if it can be avoided at all costs it’s worth it!  That said if the ligament is completely torn there is no other option other than surgery if one wishes to restore their knee to pre-injury condition.

The majority of knee ligament injuries are lateral knee ligaments, which connect the fibula and the femur together. And more often then sustaining a lateral knee ligament injury, doctors see lateral knee sprains.

As long as there are sports and knees there will be knee injuries and knee  ligament injuries. If you have suffered a knee ligament injury a sports physical therapists in coimbatore is the preferred doctor to see. It’s not that other doctors can’t deal with these types of injuries it’s just that sports medicine doctors have extensive training in dealing with all types of sports injuries and you are much more likely to have a speedier recovery time seeing this type of doctor. Of course, that’s not an option for all, but if it is take advantage of it.

When you initially injure your knee you may not be aware of just what type of knee injury it is. Most times it takes a physician to make the final diagnosis, yet another reason why it pays to see a doctor early. The sooner you know exactly what type of knee injury you are dealing with the sooner you will get on the road to recovery.

Knee ligament injuries

What are knee ligamentsc 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 injuriesc Damage to the MCL will cause tenderness on the inside edge of the knee and in some cases there will also be swelling. 

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.

As with any injury RICE is the start of all treatment – Rest – Ice – Compression – Elevation so start there until you can see your ligament injury rehabilitation center can result in permanent long term damage if not treated properly so don’t delay seeking treatment as soon as possible. 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.

Knee Ligament Injury Treatment

Symptoms of a knee ligament injury include a popping sound at the time of the injury, knee pain, including stiffness, bruising, and swelling. The knee feels unstable, and walking causes pain. 

You should see a doctor for all acute knee injuries including a knee ligament injury. While you wait to see a doctor apply ice for 15 minutes every hour to help reduce pain and swelling. If you can elevate the knee so that it is above the heart. You can also wrap the knee with an elastic bandage to compress the knee and aid in reducing swelling. Knee Ligament Injury Treatment With small tears surgery may not be needed. Instead exercise programs are developed to support the knee and help to stabilize it. You see stronger muscles are able to create more stability for the ligament. For those involved in sports surgery is often the choice, so that the person when returning to their sport can safely make all necessary movements. ACL reconstruction doesn’t happen until the inflammation has subsided, which can take several weeks. The ACL is reconstructed, not repaired. Surgery does include the risk of infection and/or blood clots. Crutches will need to be used for a couple of weeks and the full recovery will take several months although it does depend on the patient. Low impact exercise is where you will begin until you work up to full strength.

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