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Knee ligament injuries are mostly common among athletes. It occurs due to a strong impact on the knee or the area near the knees. The knee consists of two ligaments one on each side. These connect the upper leg and lower leg bones together and prevent side-to-side movements. So, when the ligaments are injured, they fail to provide the required resistance to restrict the side-to-side movements. Some people also notice popping sounds while walking since the bones are no longer in place due to injury in the knee ligaments.
A torn MCL or the medial collateral ligament is the most common example of knee ligament injury. MCL occurs in sports when athletes end up moving the leg sideways more than the body is capable of. MCL injuries can also occur if someone falls down with heavy pressure on the leg. The force can cause the leg to bend outward and tear the ligament.
Another example is an injury to the LCL or the lateral collateral ligament. It is located just opposite the kneecap and at the back of the knee. It occurs if the leg is bent outward or backward forcibly beyond its normal range of motion.
Impact injuries to the knee can also end up tearing the ligament. Such situations can arise due to workplace accidents, tripping or even banging your knee against a heavy stable object.
Ligament tears are very painful whether it is in the knee, wrist or ankle. In the case of knee ligament injuries, you feel the pain in your knee and also struggle to move it freely. In severe cases, it leads to soreness, bruising, chronic pain and swelling. Blood clot also occurs in some cases leading to additional stiffness and discomfort.
You can also put a weight on your leg to check if you have ligament injuries in the knee. Once you do that, it may feel like the lower leg bone is not as steady as expected. The knee also loses its ability to provide you with the support it normally does.
Physiotherapy takes a safe, painless and holistic approach to treating knee ligament injuries. The healthcare practice takes your symptoms, medical history and lifestyle into consideration before preparing a treatment plan for you. Here are some common treatments for knee ligament injuries.
Manual manipulation therapy– The physiotherapist applies soft tissue manipulation to the affected area to restore its normal mobility and release stress.
Exercises– Once the swelling reduces, the therapist guides you through a series of stretching and strengthening exercises to rebuild the flexibility of the ligament.
Hot and cold applications– This helps reduce swelling and pain.
Assistive devices- You may need to relax the injured leg and keep it free from additional weight. So, the therapist may recommend assistive devices such as crutches to prevent the recurrence of injuries.
There are other techniques such as electrical wave stimulation therapy, leg elevation therapy, etc. The physiotherapist evaluates your condition and customizes the treatment accordingly.
Legend Physiotherapy Clinic has some of the top-rated physiotherapists with years of experience treating knee ligament injuries non-surgically. Our team attends to each patient individually, ensuring that you get the best treatment plan for a long-term recovery from knee ligament injuries. We guide you through every session so you get back to normal life as soon as possible.
