Cruciate ligament reconstruction
The cruciate ligaments are the most important parts of the knee joint. Their proper functioning depends, among other things, on maintaining correct body posture. It happens that the reconstruction of the cruciate ligaments is the only rescue for the patient.
What is the role of the cruciate ligament?
It happens that the reconstruction of the cruciate ligament is the only rescue for the patient. A healthy anterior and posterior cruciate ligament does not allow the tibia to move relative to the femur, which in practice means that both are responsible for stabilizing the entire knee joint. They affect the direction of movement in it, which limits excessive bending of the bones. Without healthy cruciate ligaments, it is impossible to maintain an upright posture and function normally.
Due to the lack of stabilization, the cartilages in the joint wear down faster, which can lead to degeneration, and even after a few years to the need to make a knee joint endoprosthesis. Muscles are not always able to stabilize the knee, so if you want to spend time actively, it is worth reconstructing a torn ligament.
Causes of ligament damage
Both the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are made of connective tissue that is inflexible. The anterior knee ligaments are most commonly torn. Although athletes are most at risk of knee injuries, they can occur when performing very trivial activities, such as an attempt to jump off a platform, running, or even a simple fall. The knee is the slave of the hip and foot, and limited mobility in the hip and foot joints can increase the likelihood of cruciate ligament rupture during injury.
The reason may be:
lateral knee strike,
excessive external and internal rotation combined with extension and valgus movement,
strong hyperextension, i.e. excessive bending, with the leg set on the ground.
People practicing football, skiing, basketball, running and all competitive sports are most at risk of rupture of the ligament in the knee.
How to recognize torn ligaments?
The final diagnosis is always made by the doctor. However, if some of the symptoms appears:
knee pain that worsens with activity,
lack of stability in the knee,
feeling of slipping knee,
reduced mobility,
knee lock sensation,
swelling,
hematoma,
Methods of reconstruction of cruciate ligaments
Operative methods of cruciate ligament reconstruction
As many as 90% of all cases of knee ligament rupture require surgical treatment, both in the case of rupture of the anterior and posterior knee ligament. The most effective procedure here is arthroscopy. The procedure is usually performed under subarachnoid, i.e. partial, anaesthesia. The patient is conscious throughout the procedure and has contact with the medical staff.
What is arthroscopy of a torn knee ligament?
In both anterior knee ligament (ACL) and posterior knee ligament (PCL) injuries, the procedure involves making small incisions in the knee through which the doctor inserts the arthroscope. This device is also used for diagnosis, and thus allows for a final look at the scale of changes within the knee ligament. Then the doctor performs reconstruction of the ligaments of the cruciate ligaments. Surgeon can also remove their damaged fragments. Sometimes, if the changes are very large, the procedure also requires a joint cartilage transplant.
Non-surgical methods of treatment of the cruciate ligament – rehabilitation
Treatment consists in the introduction of rehabilitation after a period of healing and convalescence. It’s about increasing flexibility, strengthening muscles and regenerating ligaments. Reconstruction of the cruciate ligament is then less invasive, but not every patient can be treated in this way.
Knee ligament rehabilitation
The procedure is one of the elements of recovery after knee ligament rupture. It is worth preparing for surgery if the time between injury and surgery exceeds four weeks. The recovery process is estimated to take six to nine months and depends primarily on proper rehabilitation. The most important for a torn ligament in the knee are the first two months during which, with the support of a physiotherapist, the patient should regain practically the full range of extension and flexion in the knee joint. Skipping this stage may result in limited function of the entire limb and, over time, consequences in other parts of the body.
Cruciate ligaments Poland – Our specialists
dr Ryszard Stawicki
Orthopedics and traumatology
dr Maciej Bręborowicz
Orthopedics and traumatology
dr Piotr Staszczuk
Orthopedics and traumatology
dr Konrad Rapalski
Orthopedics and traumatology
dr Piotr Krawczuk
Orthopedics and traumatology
dr Tomasz Ciesielski
Orthopedics
dr Piotr Noworolnik
Orthopedics and traumatology