An injury that can occur anywhere and under a variety of circumstances is a knee cruciate ligament tear. Most often, because of such damage, people leading a mobile life and athletes become patients in surgical rooms. Of all the tendons of the knee, the cruciate tendons are the most prone to rupture, as they are among the most functional tendons and almost all movements are performed with their participation.
Degrees of damage
Rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee is obtained under the action of a blow or force directed from behind to the knee joint, with the lower leg turned inward in a bent position. The injury is sometimes accompanied by fractures of the bones at the junction with the tendons, which affects the treatment procedure. Severe injuries include rupture of both cruciate ligaments in combination with two lateral tendons and the joint capsule, the consequences are manifested in the appearance of a “loose” joint and the inability to use the leg when walking. The classification of ligament injuries is as follows:
- first degree refers to sprainstendon extensions and microscopic fiber injuries, discomfort consists of pain, redness of the knee, some swelling, slight limitation of mobility;
- to the second degree include numerous fiber ruptures, all the symptoms described earlier are manifested in a more acute degree, the joint partially moves;
- third degree is characterized by a complete rupture of the muscle, a sharp severe pain is felt, an extensive hematoma appears, swelling, it is impossible to lean on the sore leg, the joint is in a relaxed state.
Performing a medical examination
The injured limb is examined by a specialist - a traumatologist, he decides whether an operation on the knee is needed, depending on the severity of the lesion. The initial examination is to conduct a survey of the victim and palpation of the knee joint.
The second stage is radiodiagnosis, resulting in X-ray prints of the lateral and direct projection. In some cases, computed tomography is used to better view the bones. A clear visualization of the ligaments, muscles look at magnetic resonance imaging. After that, the consequences of the injury are determined with a great degree of accuracy.
The doctor performs the Lachman test, which consists in laying the patient on his back and covering the back of the thigh with his right hand. With the left hand, the proximal part of the lower leg is smoothly pulled forward. The conclusion about the degree of destruction of the cruciate muscles is made based on the possibility of advancing the joint forward and on howthis looks like a swollen knee.
Symptoms of an ignored knee injury
Sometimes injured patients do not pay attention to the change in the behavior of the joint when walking. If the degree of damage is mild, then the instability of the joint resolves over time. Ignoring the symptom leads to the development of arthritis of the joint, even in middle and early age. After a short time, the patient goes to the doctor with a strong swelling of the tissues adjacent to the knee. A swollen knee needs to be drained of joint fluid.
Rupture of the anterior ligament leads to the development of hemarthrosis, accompanied by the ingress of blood clots into the internal joint cavity. Such a consequence of an inattentive attitude to he alth is characterized by severe pain, which makes it impossible for a specialist to conduct a palpation examination.
Acruciate ligament tear in front of the knee
The function of the tendon muscle is to protect the joint from bending backwards. An injury is caused by a position when a person has firmly fixed the foot with the lower leg, but it is required to carry out a circular movement outward. The impact is classified as an indirect type, as is the landing after an unsuccessful jump. Indirect action on the knee joint is a consequence of movement in team sports.
The second type - a direct blow - refers to those cases when the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee occurs when a destructive action is applied by an object or when falling. Sports such as hockey and baseball are common for these types of injuries. Gap frontcruciate ligament of the knee is a serious injury and is treated by a specialist. The use of conservative methods does not always lead to positive results, almost all patients experience swelling and increased pain after the intervention.
Cruciate posterior ligament injury
This tendon muscle lies behind the anterior cruciate ligament. Its damage is less common, since nature has protected the ligament well. The causes of rupture of the posterior ligament are a strong blow from the front to the knee or lower leg. Such blows occur in accidents, road accidents, sports competitions. If there is a suspicion of a posterior tendon rupture, check the working condition of the polsterolateral angle (posterior-outer part of the joint). In more than 50% of cases, a bone fracture and a posterior rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee are combined. Treatment is complicated by the restoration of two body systems.
Posterior ligament tear recognition
A characteristic symptom is a slight subluxation of the lower leg in the rear position, it is clearly visible on x-rays. In this case, ultrasound does not show the severity of the problem. The patient experiences pain in the knee, swelling of the tissues develops, the movement of the joint when walking becomes unnatural, there is a feeling of emptiness and instability in the knee.
Conservative treatment of posterior muscle tear
In contrast to the anterior cruciate tendon, the treatment of the posterior tendon has a positive trend. Reconstruction of the cruciate ligament of the knee requires immovable fixation of the quadriceps femoralmuscle that performs the function of leg movement. If only a tear of the posterior ligament is observed, then the patient is independently engaged in rehabilitation, doing a set of elementary exercises.
Restorative gymnastics is simple, but performed constantly, the exercises are given by the doctor. Treatment is prescribed with anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, diuretics.
Surgical intervention for torn posterior ligament
Surgical intervention is determined by the implantation of a prosthesis made of synthetic material or the introduction of grafts. Ligament stitching is not done, since this procedure is inconclusive. The surgeon works with an injured knee only in the event of a simultaneous fracture or rupture of associated nodes. If there is a partial tear or stretching, then the treatment is carried out as rehabilitation after injuries.
Treatment of posterior and anterior cruciate ligament ruptures
To remove blood clots from the inner area of the joint, blood is taken with an injection. They are convinced of the mobility preserved after this procedure, exclude a meniscus rupture and apply a cast.
The leg is in a fixed position for about a month, then they switch to therapeutic massage, physical education and physiotherapy methods, finally curing the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee. Rehabilitation takes about 3-4 months, the ability to work is restored.
Knee surgery is not done immediately after an injury, as there isthe risk of complications in the joint. They resort to urgent surgical intervention only if, during the injury, splitting and separation of the bone tissue occurred. Then this part is attached to the main bone and plaster is applied.
Injury First Steps
The person is placed in a prone position. The injured leg is placed with the help of pads so that the diseased joint is above the level of the body. This position creates an outflow of fluid and blood from the problem area. Use any product to cool the knee, the ideal is to apply an ice compress for two hours.
If there is a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee, timely assistance will prevent the occurrence of subsequent complications, facilitate the treatment process. It is very difficult for a non-specialist to diagnose before the arrival of a doctor, therefore, if there is an assumption that there is no rupture, and the patient has received a sprain, all precautions should be taken, as for a rupture.
Quick help for bruised patella
If the patient hurt her knee, what should I do in this case? The first minutes after a bruise decide a lot in the further restoration of the joint's performance. If the injury occurred on the street, they call an ambulance, and before it arrives, they take the first steps to reduce swelling. The patient is seated on a hill, for example, a bench, and they try to put any objects under the sore leg so that the limb is located as high as possible.
Apply ice to the problem area if the patient has hurt her knee. What to do if there is no ice? Cold objects will come in handy: glass jars, bottles - it is advisable to cool them with water at short intervals. Cooling will create local constriction of blood vessels and reduce the spread of edema, hemorrhage.
Preventive measures against knee bruises are not enough, injury always happens unexpectedly, so first aid is paramount. Some people do not attach any importance to this, the bruise disappears, but sometimes after a few years problems with joint mobility begin due to gradually developed complications.
Treatment of bruised patella
In case of a severe bruise, a puncture is performed in order to remove the accumulated blood and fluid. To relieve pain, painkillers are used, such as Analgin, Diclofenac, Dolaren, Ketanov and others. Lubrication of the joint with ointments from bruises produces a distracting effect. A fixing support bandage is applied, which does not completely restrict movement, only helps protect the weakened joint from unnecessary stress.
The use of therapeutic exercises
Physical education and exercises help to fully restore the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee. Symptoms of severe damage pass, and it is time for a recovery period. The condition for starting classes is the cessation of pain. They are engaged regularly, 2-3 times a day, all exercises are done 10 times each. The main exercises are:
- extension and flexion movements of the knee joint, which are done with a load in case of a slight injury, but the ligaments do not load prematurely after a rupture;
- applies the static tension technique of the hip and ankle muscles to increase tone and stimulate blood circulation as rehabilitation after injuries;
- to strengthen the muscles of the lower leg, turn the foot from side to side;
- two weeks after the injury, perform simple semi-squats against the wall, while the knees look forward, the back is straight;
- next exercise is toe raises to maximize calf strength;
- exercises in the third month after the injury are performed with weights, take small dumbbells in hand, squat is performed in a lower position;
- workout will be slow walking on the stairs and exercises on a stationary bike.
- take daily walks, the distance is determined individually, depending on how you feel.
Injuries happen unexpectedly, but they must be taken seriously, a sprain or bruise cannot be neglected for the sake of being busy at work or other matters. Incorrect treatment and incomplete rehabilitation become an obstacle to the normal functioning of the joint in subsequent years and provide a limitation of movement in old age.
