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HELP FOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT OR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY

The knee is the largest joint in the human body. It is exposed to great stress through sport and everyday life. It is stabilised to a large extent by the cruciate ligaments and collateral ligaments. The collateral ligaments run along the outside of the knee, while the cruciate ligaments are located inside the knee joint. The collateral ligaments are primarily used for lateral stability, while the cruciate ligaments prevent the lower leg from sliding forwards or backwards against the thigh.

A sudden twisting of the knee joint can lead to a cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury. Common causes are sports injuries, such as those that occur when playing football or skiing. Knee ligament injuries can be very painful and severely impair mobility and sporting ability. Rapid and targeted knee treatment usually restores mobility and freedom from pain and prevents consequential damage.

The knee experts at ECOM® specialise in the treatment of knee problems such as cruciate ligament injuries and collateral ligament injuries. Many years of experience have shown this: Knee ligament injuries do not always require surgery.

In many cases, a cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury can be successfully treated with the help of conservative therapies. If an operation is necessary, our knee specialists usually use minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures with a great deal of experience. The aim is always to enable rapid regeneration while maintaining the ability to move and play sports.

WHAT IS A CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY?

Each knee has two cruciate ligaments: a posterior and an anterior cruciate ligament. They run crosswise and protect the knee joint when stretching, bending or twisting.

Each cruciate ligament is about the thickness of a little finger and has a tensile strength of over 200 kg. While the two collateral ligaments can be felt on the knee, the cruciate ligaments are hidden in the depths of the knee joint.

Injuries to the cruciate ligaments are often caused by sports injuries or other trauma. The anterior cruciate ligament is affected much more frequently. In principle, any cruciate ligament can be overstretched or strained or partially or completely torn. A torn cruciate ligament is the best-known form of cruciate ligament injury.

In the case of a fresh cruciate ligament rupture, the pain starts immediately after the injury. Many sufferers hear a cracking sound that signals that something has torn.

The discomfort often subsides after a few days and only reappears when you exert yourself. Depending on the sporting activity, a cruciate ligament injury can go unnoticed for a long time. However, if the cruciate ligament injury is not treated in time, degenerative changes to the joint cartilage or meniscus damage can occur in the long term.

WHAT IS A COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY?

In addition to the cruciate ligament, the knee joint also gets its stability from its collateral ligaments: The medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament.

The medial collateral ligament is a flat, wide ligament about 7 cm long and runs from the inside of the femoral condyle down to the head of the tibia (tibial plateau). It stabilises the knee when it is extended.

The outer ligament runs on the outer side of the femoral condyle up to the head of the fibula, is roundish, about the thickness of a pencil in diameter and therefore thinner than the inner ligament. It protects the knee from bending outwards when bent.

Injuries to the collateral ligaments are often caused by sports injuries or other trauma. The medial collateral ligament is affected much more frequently. Each collateral ligament can be overstretched or pulled or partially or completely torn. A typical situation for an inner collateral ligament injury is when the ligament is twisted inwards due to a rotational movement while playing football or skiing. In the case of a lateral collateral ligament injury, the knee joint bends outwards with great force. The most likely cause here is a sudden deceleration or a large lunge.

HOW DOES A LIGAMENT INJURY TO THE KNEE MANIFEST ITSELF?

Knee ligament injuries are complex. Depending on the extent of the injury, age and physical fitness of the patient, different symptoms can occur. The most common symptoms of a ligament injury are pain and swelling. More severe injuries can be accompanied by instability of the knee and restricted movement. The pain often occurs particularly during movement. If the affected joint is stable, walking and standing are usually possible despite the pain. Bruising usually only occurs when tissue is injured.

Symptoms of a cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury:

– Pain

– Swelling

– Instability when walking

– Limited ability to bear weight

– Reduced ability to walk

– Inhibition of stretching and bending

– Bruising

– Joint blockage

In the case of a cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury, the pain may subside after a few days and only occur with exertion. In these cases, ligament injuries can remain unrecognised for years. In the long term, however, untreated ligament injuries to the cruciate ligament or collateral ligament lead to instability of the knee joint. This can favour degenerative processes and increase the risk of knee osteoarthritis or other knee injuries such as meniscus damage.

HOW IS A LIGAMENT INJURY TO THE KNEE TREATED?

The extent of the injury, the instability of the knee joint, age and the patient’s professional and sporting requirements determine the course of treatment. As a general rule, not every cruciate ligament injury or collateral ligament injury needs to be treated surgically. In many cases, injuries to the cruciate ligament or collateral ligament can be successfully treated conservatively. The knee experts at ECOM® put together a customised treatment and therapy concept consisting of pain therapy, physiotherapy and orthopaedic aids.

Pain therapy

Local application (pain ointment, pain gel)

Oral intake (tablets or drops)

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy to build up the muscles and improve joint function

Cold therapy

Ultrasound

Manual lymphatic drainage

Orthopaedic aids

Walking aids (e.g. forearm crutches)

Special splints to immobilise the knee

Knee orthoses

Surgery on the collateral ligament or cruciate ligament in the event of a torn ligament

Ligament-preserving suture

Ligament replacement with body implant

Ligament replacement with a self-dissolving foreign implant

If conservative treatment does not achieve the desired results, the knee specialists at ECOM® recommend surgery, especially for young patients and active adults. This fully restores the stability of the knee joint and prevents possible consequential damage such as osteoarthritis or meniscus lesions.

Knee surgery is usually performed two to four weeks after the injury, as swelling and acute wounds must have healed. It is performed by the knee experts at ECOM® with a great deal of experience and precision using minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures.

In collateral ligament or cruciate ligament surgery, the torn ligament is traditionally sutured or replaced with a transplant from the patient’s own tendons. In a few cases, a modern implant made of self-dissolving material can also be used as an alternative. This supports the healing process like an autologous implant, but does not remain in the body permanently. This ligament-preserving technique offers decisive advantages for some patients, but cannot be used for every injury.

The surgeon decides which surgical technique is suitable for the individual patient. The extent and location of the injury as well as the physical demands of the patient are decisive factors. The basic aim is always to quickly reduce pain and optimise the patient’s ability to move and play sports. Individualised rehabilitation therapy after the operation supports the healing process and accelerates regeneration.

HOW DOES RECOVERY PROCEED AFTER A CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RUPTURE?

The minimally invasive, arthroscopic procedures on the collateral ligament or cruciate ligament usually only take 1 – 3 hours. However, in order for the injured person to be able to move and put weight on their knee properly again, targeted rehabilitation measures are necessary.

The knee experts at ECOM® work closely with specially trained physiotherapists to develop an individual rehabilitation programme that supports the healing process and optimises the regeneration process.

As a rule, the operated leg should be protected and relieved by orthopaedic aids for 2 – 6 weeks.
Training therapy to improve strength, coordination and endurance begins after approx. 6 weeks.
Initial training on the cycle ergometer, walking and light jogging are possible after 6 – 10 weeks.
Sports with stop-and-go movements (ball sports such as football, basketball, tennis, etc.) and those with an increased risk of injury (skiing and snowboarding, inline skating, etc.) should be avoided for approx. 6 – 8 months with a cruciate ligament implant.

YOUR SPECIALISTS FOR LIGAMENT INJURIES AND OTHER INJURIES

“Minimally invasive surgical procedures and regenerative treatment methods help patients with meniscus injuries to quickly return to sport and everyday life.”

“The patient is often in a state of emergency. Targeted diagnosis and individualised therapy are the key to successful treatment”.

FOR QUESTIONS ABOUT KNEE LIGAMENT INJURIES

Do you have questions about treatment and therapy for knee ligament injuries? Our knee specialists Dr Erich Rembeck and Dr Alexander Rauch will be happy to provide you with detailed information and advice in a personal consultation.
Simply make an appointment.
We look forward to hearing from you.

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