Knee ligament injuries are among the most common types of injuries that affect people ranging from older adults to athletes to people who engage in high-impact activities. The knee joint is a complex and important structure that relies on tendons, ligaments and muscles to function.
Once damage is done to these important parts, it becomes difficult to engage in regular activities without pain. The injuries can range from mild sprains to complete tears. This article discusses the various causes, symptoms and treatment of knee ligament injuries.
Causes of Knee Ligament Injuries
Knee ligament injuries can occur due to various factors, which include:
- Sports and Intense Physical Activities: Participants in high-impact sports like football, basketball, and skiing often experience sudden changes in direction due to jumping or kicking, which puts strain on the knee ligament.
- Trauma or Accident: A bad fall or an automotive accident can cause ligament injuries like tears or sprains, which results in pain and loss of function in the knee.
- Poor Landing Techniques: Experiencing impact due to poor landing techniques, such as landing with knees straight after jumping, can cause ligament injury.
- Repetitive Action: Injuries can occur due to overuse of the knee in repetitive action, leading to weakening of the ligament.
- Age: As we age, our joints lose elasticity and strength over time, which makes them susceptible to injuries, especially in older individuals. There may be a need for knee replacement surgery.
- Improper Exercise Techniques: Using the wrong form or improper technique during exercise can significantly lead to a knee injury, such as incorrect form when lifting weights.
The Primary Symptoms
The symptoms of knee ligament injury vary due to the severity of the injury:
- Pain: Pain is the most common symptom of knee ligament injury; its severity depends on the damage. It can range from a dull ache to a sharp, intense pain in the affected area.
- Swelling: Swelling is the next possible symptom that may manifest after a ligament injury, which can be due to inflammation or bleeding.
- Bruising: If bleeding occurs within the knee joint, bruising can manifest as a discolouration of skin in the affected area.
- Instability: The knee may feel weak and unstable or cause a feeling of giving way due to the injury of the ligament when walking or standing.
- Limited Motion: An injured ligament can make it difficult to move the knee through its normal range of movement, which makes it difficult to carry out basic movements such as walking or running. Limited movement may also be caused by pain or swelling.
Non-Surgical Treatment of Knee Ligament Injuries
Treatment options range due to the severity of the injury; below are a few ligament injury treatments:
- Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevation(RICE): This is the most basic treatment for knee ligament and is mainly used for mild sprains or sprains of the ligament. Resting allows for healing, ice and compression to reduce inflammation and elevation
- Physical Therapy: This is recommended once the acute phase of injury has passed to strengthen the muscles around the knee, improve flexibility and restore balance.
- Braces and Support: A brace can add additional support and stability to the knee during recovery while preventing further injury and reducing strain on the injured ligaments.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical intervention is necessary for severe ligament injuries such as ligament repair, reconstruction, or knee replacement. A knee surgeon in Mumbai can suggest a knee replacement for severe ligament damage in cases where non-surgical treatment doesn’t work. The surgery is usually performed on older patients with severe joint degradation.
Conclusion
Sustaining a knee ligament injury can be a life-changing and overwhelming event. Still, with proper diagnosis and treatment, many individuals can regain their strength, flexibility, balance and regain full mobility.
No matter the method, whether using non-surgical or surgical treatment, you should have an orthopaedic specialist to help you navigate the complexities of ligament injuries and provide the best treatment option for you. If you are looking for a knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai, connect with Dr. Niraj Vora today.