Knee ligament injury
What is knee ligament injury?
Ligaments attach bone to bone and provide stability to the knee joint. There are 4 main ligaments; the lateral ligament on the outside, the medial ligament on the inside, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) within the knee joint.
Ligament injuries are usually acute injuries caused by a sudden impact or twisting of the knee. Medial ligament sprain is usually caused by impact to the outside of the knee. Lateral ligament injury is less common but occurs from an impact on the inside of the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is commonly injured in contact sports where the foot is fixed and the leg is twisted. Posterior cruciate ligament is injured if the shin bone is forcibly pushed backwards on the femur. The extent of injury can vary from a slight over stretching of the ligament to partial or complete tear/rupture of the ligament.
Treatment for knee ligament injury
Our physiotherapy treatment can help to reduce pain, facilitate healing, ensure an optimal outcome and decrease the likelihood of injury recurrence. Progressive knee strengthening and proprioceptive exercises can help in returning one to full function and high-level sporting activities.
Our physiotherapy treatment may include:-
- Joint mobilisations to reduce joint stiffness
- Myofascial and deep tissue release for muscle tightness
- Trigger point release
- Acupuncture and dry needling to reduce pain and muscle tightness
- TENS for pain relief
- Kinesiology taping and strapping for support of joints and muscles
- Muscle energy techniques
- Mobilisations with movement
- Biomechanical assessmeny
- Individualised exercise programme incorporating strengthening, stretching and proprioception (PhysioQinetics Youtube Channel)
- Gait and running re-education
- Sport-specific rehabilitation
More serious cases such as a full anterior cruciate ligament tear may require surgery. However, most of the other ligaments are treated conservatively with physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Post-operative physiotherapy after ligament surgery is also very important to fascilitate a full recovery.