Anterior cruciate ligament injury
Symptoms
The cruciate ligament can tear due to abnormal movement. The knee swells because of bleeding and you have acute pain. Afterward, a permanent feeling of instability may occur. In some injuries, not only is the anterior cruciate ligament torn but you also have a meniscus and/or cartilage injury. For athletes, this injury often means the beginning of a long rehabilitation but this does not necessarily have to mean the end of the sports career.
Diagnosis
Treatment
A torn cruciate ligament does not recover on its own and is usually treated surgically. If you have few complaints, physical therapy may be sufficient. This will be discussed with your doctor and depends on your age, instability complaints and possible sports ambition.
Surgery
An anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is performed through keyhole surgery (arthroscopy). Usually, one of your own hamstring tendons is reconstructed as the new cruciate ligament. This tendon is secured in the upper and tibia in its original anatomical position. When necessary, injuries to the meniscus or cartilage are treated simultaneously.
Recovery
You start rehabilitation immediately after surgery under the supervision of a physical therapist according to an exercise schedule. The first period is focused on recovery from the surgery, usually you wear a knee brace and walk with crutches. You will be given exercises that promote the mobility of your knee. Gradually you will start to put more load on the knee and the exercises will be built up. You can follow an orthopaedic rehabilitation program for this purpose.
It takes an average of six to nine months until you are allowed to fully load the knee again and resume any sports activities.
Departments
For more information, please visit the orthopaedics department.