An injury that can occur anywhere and under various circumstances is a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee. Most often, due to such damage, patients leading surgical lives and athletes become patients. Of all the tendons of the knee, cruciforms are most susceptible to rupture, since they belong to the most functional tendons and almost all movements are performed with their participation.
Degrees of damage
A rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee is obtained by the action of a blow or force directed from the rear to the knee joint, with the lower leg turned inward in a bent position. Trauma is sometimes accompanied by bone fractures at the junction with tendons, which affects the treatment procedure. Serious injuries include rupture of both cruciate ligaments in combination with two lateral tendons and a joint capsule, the consequences are manifested in the appearance of a “loose” joint and the inability to use the legs when walking. The classification of ligament injuries looks like this:
- stretching of the tendon and microscopic injuries of the fibers belong to the first degree, discomfort consists in pain, knee redness, some swelling, slight limitation of mobility;
- the second degree includes numerous fiber breaks, all the previously described symptoms manifest themselves in a more acute degree, the joint partially moves;
- the third degree is characterized by complete muscle rupture, sharp severe pain is felt, extensive hematoma, swelling appears, it is impossible to rely on a sore leg, the joint is in a relaxed state.
Doing a physical examination
The injured limb is examined by a specialist - a traumatologist, he decides whether knee surgery is necessary, depending on the severity of the lesion. The initial study consists in interviewing the patient and palpating the knee joint.
The second stage is radiation diagnosis, which results in x-ray prints of the lateral and direct projection. In some cases, computed tomography is used to better view bones. A clear visualization of the ligaments, muscles look at magnetic resonance imaging. After that, the consequences of injury are determined with a high degree of accuracy.
The doctor conducts a Lachman test, which consists in placing the patient on his back and covering the back of the thigh with his right palm. With the left hand, smoothly pull the proximal leg section forward. The conclusion about the degree of destruction of the cruciform muscles is made, based on the possibility of the joint moving forward and on how the swollen knee looks .
Symptoms of Ignored Knee Injury
Sometimes injured patients do not pay attention to changes in joint behavior when walking. If the degree of damage is mild, then joint instability disappears 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 consults a doctor with severe swelling of adjacent tissues to the knee. A swollen knee should be relieved of joint fluid.
Rupture of the anterior ligament leads to the development of hemarthrosis, accompanied by the entry of blood clots into the internal joint cavity. This consequence of an inattentive attitude to health is very painful, which does not allow the specialist to conduct a palpation examination.
Cruciate ligament rupture in front of knee
The function of the tendon muscle is to protect the joint from flexion in the opposite direction. The situation leads to trauma when a person has firmly fixed the foot with the lower leg, but a circular outward movement is required. The impact is classified as indirect, as is landing after an unsuccessful jump. Indirect action on the knee is the result of movement in game sports.
The second type - direct blow - refers to those cases when the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee occurs when the object is destructive or when it falls. Sports such as hockey and baseball are common for such injuries. Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligaments 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 have edema and increased pain after the measures taken.
Cruciate posterior ligament injury
This tendon muscle is located behind the anterior cruciate ligament. Its damage is less common, as nature has well protected the ligament. The reasons for the rupture of the posterior ligament is a strong blow in front of the knee or lower leg. Such strikes occur in accidents, road crashes, and sports competitions. If there is a suspicion of rupture of the posterior tendon, check the working condition of the half-lateral angle (posterior outer 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.
Back ligament rupture recognition
A characteristic symptom is a small subluxation of the tibia in the posterior position, it is clearly visible on x-rays. In this case, an ultrasound scan 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 rupture of the back muscle
Unlike the anterior cruciate tendon, the treatment of the posterior has a positive trend. The restoration of the cruciate ligament of the knee requires a fixed fixation of the quadriceps femoris, which performs the function of leg movement. If only a tear of the back ligament is observed, then the patient is independently engaged in rehabilitation, doing a set of elementary exercises.
Restorative gymnastics is simple, but is performed constantly, exercises are given by the doctor. Prescribed treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, diuretics.
Surgical intervention for rupture of the posterior ligament
Surgical intervention is determined by the implantation of a prosthesis made of synthetic material or the introduction of grafts. Stitching ligaments do not, as this procedure is inconclusive. The surgeon works with a damaged knee only in case of simultaneous fracture or rupture of the associated nodes. If partial tear or sprain is observed, then treatment is carried out as rehabilitation after injuries.
Treatment of ruptures of the cruciate ligaments of the posterior and anterior location
To remove blood clots from the inner region of the joint, a blood sampling is done using an injection. They are convinced of the mobility preserved after this procedure, exclude the meniscus rupture and impose gypsum.
The leg is in a fixed position for about a month, then they switch to therapeutic massage, physical education and physiotherapeutic methods, finally healing 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 is a risk of complications in the joint. They resort to urgent surgical intervention only if splitting and detachment of bone tissue occurred during an injury. Then this part is attached to the main bone and cast.
First steps for injury
A person is laid in a prone position. The damaged leg is placed with the help of the pads so that the diseased joint is above body level. This situation creates an outflow of fluid and blood from the problem area. Use any means to cool the knee, the use of an ice compress for two hours is ideal.
If there is a rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee, timely assistance will prevent the appearance of subsequent complications, and facilitate the treatment process. It is very difficult for a non-specialist to diagnose before the doctor arrives, 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 with a bruised kneecap
If the patient injured her knee, what should I do? The first minutes after a bruise decide a lot in the further restoration of the joint. If the injury occurred on the street, they call an ambulance, and before her arrival they take the first steps to reduce edema. The patient is seated on a hill, for example, a bench and try to put any objects under his sore foot so that the limb is located as high as possible.
Ice is applied to the problem area if the patient bruised the knee. What if there is no ice? Cold items come in handy: glass jars, bottles - it is advisable to cool them with water at short intervals. Cooling will create local narrowing of blood vessels and reduce the spread of edema, hemorrhage.
Preventive measures against knee injuries are not enough, trauma always happens unexpectedly, so first aid plays a paramount role. Some people do not attach any importance to this, the bruise goes away, but sometimes after a few years problems with joint mobility begin due to gradually developed complications.
Knee injury
With severe bruising, a puncture is performed to remove the accumulated blood and fluid. To relieve pain, pain medications are used, such as Analgin, Diclofenac, Dolaren, Ketanov and others. Lubricating the joint with ointments from bruises produces a distracting effect. A fixing support bandage is applied, which does not completely restrict movement, only helps to protect a weakened joint from unnecessary loads.
The use of therapeutic exercises
Physical education and exercises help to completely restore the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee. Symptoms of a severe lesion disappear, and the time comes for a recovery period. The prerequisite for the start of 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:
- extensor and bending movements of the knee joint, which, with a slight injury, do with a load, but prematurely the ligaments do not load after rupture;
- the technique of static tension of the hip and ankle muscles is used 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, they perform simple half-squats against the wall, while the knees look forward, the back is straight;
- the next exercise is lifting on toes to maximize the calf muscles;
- exercises in the third month after the injury are performed with weights, take small dumbbells in hand, squat is performed in a lower position;
- training will be slow walking on the stairs and exercise on a stationary bike.
- make daily walks, the distance is determined individually, depending on well-being.
Injuries happen unexpectedly, but you need to take them seriously, you can not neglect sprains or bruises for the sake of workload at work or other matters. Improper treatment and incomplete rehabilitation become an obstacle to the normal functioning of the joint in subsequent years and provide restriction of movement in old age.