The knee has 4 ligaments needed for its proper functioning, in short we can say that the knee joint can move forward, backward, flexed or extended and that all that is possible without pain and imbalance by ligaments. According to the type of physical activity (either walking or a sport) recalls each time one or more of the 4 ligaments.

Figure 1: shows our ligaments. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Figure. 14: the major ligaments to your knee.

The anterior cruciate ligament

Gives previous balance if you will (want), in other words controls the progression of the tibia (shin) it allows users to play, run, jog or just walk. It's a very tough ligament and sometimes ruptures or tear is associated with a meniscus injury.

Figure 15. shows its relationship with other parts of your knee.

If you have an accident and hear something that is broken inside, like a crack, and find it difficult to walk and suddenly you notice an increase in knee size (swelling) you have an injury of acute anterior cruciate ligament, as shown in Figure 16.

Figure. 16. Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Do not be alarmed, We have very extensive experience in treating patients with such problems, the first thing to know is that it is not necessary in emergency treatment (most cases), ice, pain medication, and a splint is sufficient, you must perform an MRI and if you are 50 years of age or suffer a marked deformation of the legs (fig5 and Figure 6) a radiography of SCHUSS. With these tests we can serve you and propose the most adequate solution. Most of these cases require surgical treatment, which is to replace that ligament. It is an intervention that is performed with a guided camera (arthroscope), the laser is also used for the preparation of what LYON - FRANCE call "echancrure."

After positioning of the tendon is performed as shown in Figure 17.

Figure. 17. Anterior cruciate ligament repair.

Lateral ligament

Lateral ligament

There are two ligaments on each side, the inner side toward the inside and the outside toward the outside, they balance the knee to the lateral and sometimes brake in conjunction with accessory anterior cruciate ligament (as is the case the LLI).

All circumstances (sporting accidents, assaults, work and domestic) that causes a very significant displacement either forward or backward may break some of these ligaments in addition to the main ( ACL and PCL) as shown in Figure 18.

Figure. 18. Medial collateral ligament rupture and LCA.

And there may be only the ligament injury, such as the lateral collateral ligament, Figure 19.

Figure 19. Lateral collateral ligament rupture

Treatment

It is not always surgical, in some cases orthopedic treatment (immobilization and analgesics) are sufficient in other cases an operation is necessary, the action to perform and the urgency of it depends on the type of ligament and associated injuries.

Last but not least, we find the posterior cruciate ligament, just behind the former but less disturbing when you are injured, unlike the previous one if you have a total or partial rupture of this ligament, the main problem will be when you walk down stairs.

Rarely is reconstruction ever needed, be aware that the instability is only reduced by 50% and 18 months after breaking, the knee becomes used to living with that torn ligament (this does not happen with the other 3) in France, vigilance and monitoring is often and replacement is performed only if there is still real pain or instability.

Figure 20 shows the rupture of the posterior cruciate. This injury is often seen in sports activity due significant stress demand.

Figure 20. Posterior cruciate ligament rupture, intensive pain.

Category: The knee

Doctor

Alain Daher

The knee has 4 ligaments needed for its proper functioning, in short we can say that the knee joint can move forward, backward, flexed or extended and that all that is possible without pain and imbalance by ligaments. According to the type of physical activity (either walking or a sport) recalls each time one or more of the 4 ligaments.

Figure 1: shows our ligaments. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

Figure. 14: the major ligaments to your knee.

The anterior cruciate ligament

Gives previous balance if you will (want), in other words controls the progression of the tibia (shin) it allows users to play, run, jog or just walk. It's a very tough ligament and sometimes ruptures or tear is associated with a meniscus injury.

Figure 15. shows its relationship with other parts of your knee.

If you have an accident and hear something that is broken inside, like a crack, and find it difficult to walk and suddenly you notice an increase in knee size (swelling) you have an injury of acute anterior cruciate ligament, as shown in Figure 16.

Figure. 16. Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Do not be alarmed, We have very extensive experience in treating patients with such problems, the first thing to know is that it is not necessary in emergency treatment (most cases), ice, pain medication, and a splint is sufficient, you must perform an MRI and if you are 50 years of age or suffer a marked deformation of the legs (fig5 and Figure 6) a radiography of SCHUSS. With these tests we can serve you and propose the most adequate solution. Most of these cases require surgical treatment, which is to replace that ligament. It is an intervention that is performed with a guided camera (arthroscope), the laser is also used for the preparation of what LYON - FRANCE call "echancrure."

After positioning of the tendon is performed as shown in Figure 17.

Figure. 17. Anterior cruciate ligament repair.

Lateral ligament

Lateral ligament

There are two ligaments on each side, the inner side toward the inside and the outside toward the outside, they balance the knee to the lateral and sometimes brake in conjunction with accessory anterior cruciate ligament (as is the case the LLI).

All circumstances (sporting accidents, assaults, work and domestic) that causes a very significant displacement either forward or backward may break some of these ligaments in addition to the main ( ACL and PCL) as shown in Figure 18.

Figure. 18. Medial collateral ligament rupture and LCA.

And there may be only the ligament injury, such as the lateral collateral ligament, Figure 19.

Figure 19. Lateral collateral ligament rupture

Treatment

It is not always surgical, in some cases orthopedic treatment (immobilization and analgesics) are sufficient in other cases an operation is necessary, the action to perform and the urgency of it depends on the type of ligament and associated injuries.

Last but not least, we find the posterior cruciate ligament, just behind the former but less disturbing when you are injured, unlike the previous one if you have a total or partial rupture of this ligament, the main problem will be when you walk down stairs.

Rarely is reconstruction ever needed, be aware that the instability is only reduced by 50% and 18 months after breaking, the knee becomes used to living with that torn ligament (this does not happen with the other 3) in France, vigilance and monitoring is often and replacement is performed only if there is still real pain or instability.

Figure 20 shows the rupture of the posterior cruciate. This injury is often seen in sports activity due significant stress demand.

Figure 20. Posterior cruciate ligament rupture, intensive pain.

Category: The knee