Knees are joints that play a key role in helping us perform many movements properly. Therefore, problems that occur in the knees and cause pain have a negative impact on the basic movements we frequently perform in our daily lives, such as walking, running, kneeling, bending, standing up.
Knee joint femur (thigh), tibia (leg). and patella (kneecap) bones. There are ligaments of different structures that connect these bones in the knee joint and hold them together. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of them.
As the name suggests, the anterior cruciate ligaments are located diagonally in the inner and middle of the front of the knee. It restricts the rotational movement of the knee and ensures that it maintains its stable structure. It also reduces the stress on the knee joint.
WHY DO ANTERIOR CROSS LIGAMENT INJURIES OCCUR?
Ligament injuries usually occur in people who do sports. Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament is among the most common knee ligament injuries.
Sudden stopping, changing direction, and turning movements cause stress on the knee and lead to injury in the cruciate ligament and anterior cruciate ligament. Falling to the ground unbalanced after a jumping movement or receiving a direct blow to the knee also causes injury to the anterior cruciate ligament.
When it comes to cruciate ligament injuries, the first thing that comes to mind is football players. Because in football matches, players often make movements that may cause ligament injuries. In addition to football, basketball, volleyball, skiing, tennis and gymnastics are also sports that can cause cruciate ligament injuries.
In anterior cruciate ligament injuries, tissues may sometimes tear partially or sometimes completely. Although the exact cause is unknown, anterior cruciate ligament injuries are more common in women who do sports.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANTERIOR CROSS LIGAMENT INJURY?
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries manifest themselves with different symptoms.
- Noise in the knee when moving,
- Swelling of the knee,
- Severe pain,
- Numbness in the knee,
- Symptoms such as loss of movement,
- Difficulty in walking indicate anterior cruciate ligament injury.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT METHODS
If you experience one or more of the above symptoms, people time k You should consult an Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist without hesitation. The doctor first performs a physical examination. After the knee is checked by placing it in various positions with different methods (Lachman test, anterior drawer test, etc.), the level, nature and subsequent changes of the injury are determined by Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. X-rays are used to check whether there are any problems such as possible fractures or cracks in the bone.
The treatment method for anterior cruciate ligament injuries varies depending on the level of damage.
In non-surgical treatment, resting the knee, applying ice, bandaging, and keeping the leg elevated with the help of a pillow help relieve swelling and relieve pain. In addition, thanks to physical therapy methods, the function of the knee is preserved by strengthening the muscles that support the knee.
The surgical treatment of anterior cruciate ligament injuries is carried out with arthroscopic surgery, which is a closed method.
With the arthroscopy method, a small surgery is performed. The knee is entered through the incision and the structures there are examined. Thanks to the camera of the arthroscope device, the inside of the knee is enlarged and reflected on the monitor. The problem is identified and the torn ligaments are restructured. Rarely, vineyards can be planted.
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