The knee joint connects the tibia, knee pad and femur and plays one of the most important roles in locomotion. With the help of tendons, the knee pad and the quadriceps muscle are connected, in the ligamentous apparatus, cruciate and lateral ligaments are distinguished . The knee joint is most often exposed to various injuries , ligament rupture occurs with excessive load. What is sprain and rupture of ligaments? What are the symptoms of this disease? These issues are highlighted in this article.
The degree of ligament rupture
One of the most important departments in the musculoskeletal system is the knee joint. Ligament rupture is an injury in which the integrity of the ligamentous apparatus is impaired. Most often, it occurs with excessive and atypical loads. In this case, the ligamentous fibers can be torn completely or partially. Such injuries are most often typical for athletes who play football, boxing, skiing, athletics. In the classification of injuries, ruptures of the anterior tendon ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament, the external and internal lateral, are distinguished.
Rupture of ligamentous fibers is divided into several degrees. At the first, only partial damage to the fibers is observed, most of them are preserved in integrity. This is a fairly common injury, which affects the knee joint. Ligament rupture of the second degree is characterized by injury to more than half of the fibers, while there are restrictions on movement. The third degree carries a complete rupture of ligaments, only pathological movements are observed.
Symptoms of a rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint
A number of symptoms can indicate damage to the ligamentous apparatus. Sharp pain is the first signal of a rupture of fibers, in addition, there is swelling of the joint, an increase in its volume. Also, at the time of injury in the knee joint, a slight crack is heard. If the ligaments are damaged, the patient feels a dislocation of the lower leg to the side or forward, there is a stiffness of movement or, conversely, looseness of the knee joint. An injured person is unable to move weight while walking on a sore leg. When pressing with fingers, pathological mobility of the patella is detected. Symptoms may vary depending on damage to the front or back of the ligament.
Treatment methods
Treatment methods will depend on the degree of damage that the knee joint received. Ligament rupture requires surgical treatment and radical measures. In this case, surgery is necessary, as well as a long recovery period.
Partial rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint requires the application of a plaster cast, in this case the treatment takes from three to four weeks. For minor disorders in the ligaments of the knee joint, therapy will include anti-inflammatory drugs, the use of a fixative bandage and cold, limited movement and rest. An important role in the recovery process after the treatment period is played by physical exercises and physiotherapy exercises. When performed regularly, they can strengthen muscles and restore mobility in the joint.