The anterior cruciate ligament is an important part of the knee joint that
connects the femur to the tibia. This ligament is responsible for providing stability and preventing excessive movement of the knee joint. However, it is prone to injury, especially in professional and other amateur athletes.
There are 3 grades into which anterior cruciate ligament injuries are categorized:
Grade 1 tear: the ligament shows slight stretching but maintains knee stability
Grade 2 tear: the ligament is stretched and the fibres are partially torn
Grade 3 tear: the ligament is completely ruptured and knee stability is lost.
The causes of anterior cruciate ligament rupture
Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is a common injury for those involved in sports that involve sudden changes in speed (accelerations - decelerations) and/or direction, jumps and turns, such as football, basketball, tennis and more. Other causes of rupture may include:
- Sudden injury
- Direct hit
- An accident
- Collision
- Fall
- Overuse of the joint due to excessive stress.
The symptoms of an anterior cruciate ligament tear
The most common symptoms of a torn ACL include:
- severe pain
- swelling
- tenderness in the knee joint
- sensation of instability in the knee
- difficulty walking
• μειωμένο εύρος κίνησης •χαρακτηριστικός ήχος τη στιγμή της ρήξης.χαρακτηριστικός ήχος τη στιγμή της ρήξης.
Diagnosis and treatment of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament
To diagnose the rupture and determine its degree, a series of tests are needed. The
diagnostic process includes a clinical examination by the treating physician as well as
imaging tests such as MRI or X-ray. From the results of
the tests the doctor will determine the most appropriate way of treatment.
The ways of treating an anterior cruciate ligament tear depend on the severity
of the injury, the degree of the tear, the patient's age, the level of activities
and other injuries he or she may have suffered.
Treatment of an anterior cruciate ligament tear includes both conservative and surgical methods. Conservative
treatment modalities include:
- rest, ice therapy, compression and elevation, i.e. the RICE (Rest - Ice -
Compress - Elevate) rule
- Physiotherapy programme to improve range of motion, strength and
flexibility of the knee joint.
However, in cases of severe or complete rupture, surgery may be needed to
to repair or reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament. This usually
involves using a graft from another part of the body to replace
replace the damaged ligament. An orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries
can offer an individualized treatment approach, depending on the patient's gender,
, age, requirements and activities, and use the
the appropriate tendon graft (patellar, hamstring and/or quadriceps).This technique
is also known as arthroscopy with ligamentoplasty and provides a variety of advantages
to patients, including smaller incisions, less pain and faster recovery.
After surgery, patients are immediately mobilized - within a few hours - with aids
(bacteria, crutches, etc.) and partial mobilization of the operated lower limb. They
They then follow a programme of physiotherapy to regain strength, stability and range of motion of the knee joint. In terms of a full return to sporting activities, especially in the case of professional athletes, it is estimated to take about 6 months.
In case of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, it is important to In case of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, it is important to immediately visit
a specialist in order to diagnose the rupture and draw up the most appropriate treatment plan.
This ensures a full recovery and a faster return to daily activities.
To learn more about anterior cruciate ligament rupture, contact us at +30211 – 4057040, +306949196061 or orthopedikos-papagiannopoulos.gr and make your appointment.
