Ligament injuries are common in the world of sport. The injury can be very painful and often complicates your life. Recovering from a knee ligament injury can take a long time, but with the right understanding and treatment, recovery can be successful.
How does a knee ligament injury occur?
A knee ligament injury is usually caused by a sudden twisting of the knee joint. A strong impact to the knee or a rapid and sudden change in the direction of movement can cause the knee joint to twist abnormally and damage the ligaments. People who participate in sports that involve rapid and sudden twists, such as soccer, rugby and skiing, are particularly prone to ligament injuries. Our ligaments help stabilize the knee joint in all its directions and control its movements. Compared to tendons, ligaments are not as elastic. This makes them more prone to injury and inflammation.
Knee ligament injury symptoms
The symptoms of a knee ligament injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury and which ligament is damaged. Common symptoms may include pain in the knee, swelling, tenderness to the touch, knee pain with movement instability or the feeling that the knee is ‘giving way’, a snapping or cracking sound at the time of injury and limited mobility. If any of the collateral ligaments are damaged, pain may be experienced on the inside or outside of the knee.
When and where should I seek treatment for my knee ligament injury?
If you suspect you have a knee ligament injury, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. If the symptoms are less severe, you can start by contacting your family doctor or a local health center.
How is a knee ligament injury treated?
The treatment of a knee ligament injury depends on the severity of the injury and the ligament affected. Treatment may include rest, ice, compression, elevation (RIKH), pain-relieving medication, physiotherapy and sometimes surgery.
During the rehabilitation of the ligament injury, treatment at Fascia Clinics can be a good complement. The treatment increases the flow in the fascia so that the cells can absorb substances more easily and pain and inflammation can disappear more quickly. Increased flow improves the body’s own ability to heal itself. The whole body is balanced so the load on the knee joints is evened out. The treatment is not painful and is usually perceived as very pleasant.
Knee ligament injury – what can I do myself?
Self-care for a knee ligament injury starts with RIKH (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to reduce pain and swelling. You can also perform gentle movements and light stretching exercises to help keep the knee flexible and prevent stiffness. Self-massage can also be beneficial to reduce tension and pain and increase circulation.
Ligament injury knee exercises
There are several exercises that can help strengthen the knee and promote healing after a ligament injury. These can include stretching exercises, strength training for the muscles around the knee, and exercises that increase blood flow to the injured area. Consult a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional who can set up an exercise program tailored to your needs.
Frequently asked questions about knee injuries
Knee ligament injury healing time
The healing time for a knee ligament injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury and which ligament is damaged. Mild injuries may take a few weeks to a few months to heal, while more serious injuries requiring surgery may take several months to over a year to fully heal.
Outer knee ligament injury
An injury to the outer ligament (outer collateral ligament) occurs when the outer ligament of the knee is stretched or torn. This type of injury is most commonly caused by direct force to the inside of the knee. Outer collateral ligament injuries are less common than inner collateral ligament injuries.
Internal ligament injury knee
An injury to the inner collateral ligament occurs when the inner ligament of the knee is stretched or torn. This type of injury is most commonly caused by direct force to the outside of the knee. As part of the ligament is embedded in the joint capsule, ACL injuries can cause serious damage to other structures in the knee joint.
Knee ligament injury rehab
Rehabilitation for a knee ligament injury usually includes physiotherapy, exercises to strengthen and increase the mobility of the muscles around the knee joint. In severe cases, surgery may be required.