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Medial Collateral Ligament.
This ligament is on the one on the inside of the knee and is taut when the leg is straight. The ligament itself is strong but can be sprained or completely ruptured by simultaneous twisting and straightening of the leg.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament.
The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL runs from the outside of the back of the thigh bone to the inside of the front or anterior of the shin bone. The two cruciate ligaments cross over each other; the ACL crosses in front of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament. Together they stabilize the front to back movements of the knee.
The ACL is half the strength of your Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL). This ligament is the most likely knee ligament to be injured during sporting activities.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament.
The Posterior Cruciate Ligament or PCL starts from the inside edge of your thigh bone and inserts to the back or posterior aspect of your shin bone.
Lateral Collateral Ligament.
The Lateral Collateral Ligament or LCL runs from the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shin bone on the outside of knee joint.
Other Soft Tissue Injuries.
The soft tissues around the knee can also be injured.
Sports that involve twisting of the upper leg while the foot is planted on the floor may lead to a tear of the meniscus. The menisci are two crescent shaped discs of shock absorbing cartilage located between the bones of knee joint.
The patellar tendon is also known as the patellar ligament, and connects the kneecap to the thigh muscle. If the knee is bent too far back, this tendon may also tear.
Symptoms of Knee Injuries.
The symptoms for most ligament injuries will be similar, these include:
· Pain
· swelling
· Instability
Complete rupture of the ACL, may cause a popping sound which in turn may lead to a snap inside the knee, as if the knee has given way.
Meniscus Injury will cause pain on either inside or outside of the knee joint. This will bring on swelling, the knee may lock or feel as if it’s catching or grinding.
Damage to the patellar tendon means the leg will be unable to straighten properly. This will then lead to knee pain, swelling and weakness.
Causes of Knee Injuries.
If the knee receives an impact or a movement exceeding its usual range of movement, for example if you have a fall or land awkwardly this may result in such an injury.
· sports combining running, jumping and stopping with quick changes of direction such as football, rugby, tennis, etc.
· pre-existing condition such as osteoarthritis.
· impact of the knee or Knees on the dashboard in a car accident will result in PCL damage and is called the “dashboard injury”.
Diagnosis of Knee Injuries
Chiropractors & Physiotherapists will examine the knee,only then will various tests will be undertaken to establish which ligament is injured.
MCL injuries: Chiropractors & Physiotherapists will find out how badly the ligament is damaged by testing the range of movement by moving the lower leg outwards while holding your upper leg still.
There are three grades of knee injury.
· Grade 1 is a sprain.
· Grade 2 is a partial tear
· Grade 3 is a complete tear
ACL integrity is tested by a chiropractor or Physiotherapist by pulling the lower leg forward with the thigh held still and the leg bent.
If a Chiropractor or Physiotherapist suspect’s injury to a PCL, they will check the range of movement in the knee and lower leg. X-rays are valuable in diagnosis of this particular injury.
Cold Laser Therapy/Treatment
Cold Laser therapy is very effective form of treatment for soft tissue injuries of the knee and is utilized by football clubs such as Chelsea F.C. A.C.Milan as well as professional athletes, tennis players, and golf professionals.
Treatment with anti-inflammatory medications, ice packs and rest may help. (See our Cold laser therapy section under inflammatory conditions.). Bursitis of the knee occurs on the inside of the knee (anserine bursitis) and the front of the kneecap (patellar bursitis, or commonly known as “housemaid’s knee”). Bursitis is generally treated with ice packs, immobilization, and anti-inflammatory medications or Cold laser therapy.
(See our Cold laser Therapy section Listed under inflammatory conditions.)
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See our Cold Laser Section for treatment for these injuries. Under inflammatory conditions in our ”Treatments”
