Knee Ligament Injuries

What are Knee Ligament Injuries?

Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect the thigh bone to the lower leg bones and hold the knee stable. The knee has four main ligaments: the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments inside the joint, and the medial and lateral collateral ligaments on either side. A ligament injury is a sprain or tear of one of these bands, usually from a sudden extreme force.

The anterior cruciate ligament is the most commonly injured. It controls forward movement and rotation of the shin bone, and it tends to fail with a sudden twist, a hard stop, or an awkward landing.

Injuries are graded by severity. A grade 1 sprain stretches the ligament without tearing it, a grade 2 sprain is a partial tear, and a grade 3 sprain is a complete tear. Sports with cutting and pivoting, faulty movement patterns, muscle weakness, and poor conditioning all raise the risk.

Symptoms

• Sudden, severe pain at the moment of injury
• A popping or snapping sensation as the ligament gives way
• Rapid swelling within the first day
• Reduced range of motion in the knee
• A feeling of looseness or that the knee will buckle under load
• Difficulty putting weight on the leg or continuing activity

How We Treat It

We start by grading the injury, because the right path depends on which ligament is involved and how badly. Examination assesses the stability and looseness of the joint, and MRI shows the severity of the tear and any associated damage to cartilage or meniscus. Many sprains, particularly of the collateral ligaments, heal well without surgery.

For these injuries our focus is controlling pain and swelling, then rebuilding the knee. PRP therapy can support healing in the injured ligament and surrounding tissue, and an intra-articular injection helps settle pain and inflammation so rehabilitation can progress. A structured sports rehabilitation programme restores strength, balance, and control around the joint, which is essential for both recovery and preventing re-injury. For a complete ACL tear in an active patient, we coordinate a surgical opinion and provide the prehabilitation and post-operative pain care around it.