There are four main ligaments in the knee. Injuring any of the four can be extremely painful. However, not all four will require surgery. Only a knee injury specialist can tell the difference and let you know if you need physical therapy, restricted movement, or surgery.
The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) are the knee stabilizers. They keep it from wiggling side to side. You can imaging the number of times they work throughout the day to keep your knee moving forward or not slipping when you change directions.
Injuries to the MCL and LCL happen when the knee is forced one direction and the foot is forced the other. These types of injuries aren't always noticed right away. In fact, many people don't notice a problem until the next morning when they wake up to a swollen and sore knee.
If the injury was isolated to one of these two ligaments, then stabilization and restrictive movements are usually enough to rehabilitate the ligament. Surgery is rarely needed. If you've suffered an injury to either of these ligaments, be sure to ice it often and limit your movements for the first 48 hours. After that, you can do easy work with it for a few weeks before easing back in to your regular routine.
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) are located in the front and rear of the knee respectively. They prevent the knee from slipping forward or backward.
PCL injuries are most often associated with a car wreck. When the knee hits the dashboard, the shin bone is forced back and the tendon pops. As with the MCL and LCL, the PCL doesn't usually require surgery. However, if there are other ligaments injured or if the bone is broken, then surgery may be recommended.
An ACL can be torn by a sudden twisting motion. Interestingly enough, women are 2-8 times more likely to injure their ACL than men are. The injury is most commonly associated with skiers, but soccer players and other athletes are just as susceptible to an ACL injury.
Unlike the other ligaments, surgery is recommended for an ACL tear. There are two types of repairs. One is done using a part of the hamstring and the other is done using synthetic material. Each type of surgery has its pros and cons. Take time to discuss the difference with a specialist. Your decision will depend on the types of activities you participate in, how active your lifestyle is, and your medical history.
No matter what you think is causing your knee pain, you should take the time to visit with a doctor. What you believe to be arthritis could be a sprain that can be easily taken care of with the right treatment.
Physical therapists work extensively with knee injury patients. They can help a patient regain stability and strength through heat, muscle manipulation, massage, and exercises. When you leave a physical therapist's care, you'll want to continue with the program on your own. That way, your knee will stay strong for years to come.
Knee injury specialist are available to help when something goes wrong. If you felt a jolt or were injured, but the pain is manageable, you can ice it and see if the pain goes away. If it the swelling gets worse or the pain increases overnight, then you should see a specialist.
MCL and LCL
The Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) and the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) are the knee stabilizers. They keep it from wiggling side to side. You can imaging the number of times they work throughout the day to keep your knee moving forward or not slipping when you change directions.
Injuries to the MCL and LCL happen when the knee is forced one direction and the foot is forced the other. These types of injuries aren't always noticed right away. In fact, many people don't notice a problem until the next morning when they wake up to a swollen and sore knee.
If the injury was isolated to one of these two ligaments, then stabilization and restrictive movements are usually enough to rehabilitate the ligament. Surgery is rarely needed. If you've suffered an injury to either of these ligaments, be sure to ice it often and limit your movements for the first 48 hours. After that, you can do easy work with it for a few weeks before easing back in to your regular routine.
ACL and PCL
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) are located in the front and rear of the knee respectively. They prevent the knee from slipping forward or backward.
PCL injuries are most often associated with a car wreck. When the knee hits the dashboard, the shin bone is forced back and the tendon pops. As with the MCL and LCL, the PCL doesn't usually require surgery. However, if there are other ligaments injured or if the bone is broken, then surgery may be recommended.
An ACL can be torn by a sudden twisting motion. Interestingly enough, women are 2-8 times more likely to injure their ACL than men are. The injury is most commonly associated with skiers, but soccer players and other athletes are just as susceptible to an ACL injury.
Unlike the other ligaments, surgery is recommended for an ACL tear. There are two types of repairs. One is done using a part of the hamstring and the other is done using synthetic material. Each type of surgery has its pros and cons. Take time to discuss the difference with a specialist. Your decision will depend on the types of activities you participate in, how active your lifestyle is, and your medical history.
Visit a Doctor
No matter what you think is causing your knee pain, you should take the time to visit with a doctor. What you believe to be arthritis could be a sprain that can be easily taken care of with the right treatment.
Physical therapists work extensively with knee injury patients. They can help a patient regain stability and strength through heat, muscle manipulation, massage, and exercises. When you leave a physical therapist's care, you'll want to continue with the program on your own. That way, your knee will stay strong for years to come.
Knee injury specialist are available to help when something goes wrong. If you felt a jolt or were injured, but the pain is manageable, you can ice it and see if the pain goes away. If it the swelling gets worse or the pain increases overnight, then you should see a specialist.