What is Ligament Tear?
A ligament tear is the injury to the LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament) located in the knee joint. Ligaments are strong, thick bands of tissues that help in connecting one bone to the other. The LCL (lateral collateral ligament) in the knee joint runs across the outer portions of the knee joint –right from outside of the bottom region of the lemur (thighbone) to the top portion of the fibula (bone of the lower leg). The LCL helps in keeping the knee joint balanced and stable –especially towards the outer regions of the joint.
When an injury to the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) of the knee joint occurs, it could include spraining, straining, and partial or complete tearing of any part of the ligament. As per the study of Orthogate, the LCL happens to be one of the more commonly injured or sprained ligaments in the knee joint. Due to the precise location of the LCL, it is quite common to receive injury or sprains in the LCL in addition to the other ligaments in the knee joint.
How does Ligament Tear Occur?
One of the major causes of Ligament Tear or injury to the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) is the direct force or trauma to the inside portions of the knee. This trauma or direct injury to the knee puts immense pressure on the outside regions of the knee and leads to the stretching or tearing of the ligament. This condition is referred to as “ligament tear.”
Who is Prone to Ligament Tear?
Young boys and men are more likely to have LCL (lateral collateral ligament) tear or injury in comparison to girls and women. It is also quite common for the athletes to develop the conditions of ligament tear while playing energetic sports like football, hockey, and others. Ligament tear could also occur to the players playing fast-paced sports including basketball or soccer in which the players tend to collide with each other. Wrestlers too can have the ligament tear or LCL damage if their legs tend to twist outward due to sudden movement when they might be on the mat.
What are the Symptoms of Ligament Tear? How is Ligament Tear Diagnosed?
The ligament tear symptoms could range from being mild to severe. This would depend on the overall severity of the sprain or injury and if the ligament has been torn partially or completely. If there is mild spraining in the ligament, you might not experience any major symptoms. For the partial or complete ligament tear, the symptoms might include the following:
- Swelling of the knee joint –especially the outer region
- Soreness or pain in the outside portion of the knee joint
- Stiffness in the knee joint that could result in locking of the knee
- Instability of the knee joint –having the feeling that it will come out
- Lack of the normal range of motion in the legs
- Bruising in or around the knee
Diagnosis
For diagnosing the LCL injury or ligament breakdown, the doctor will examine the knee and will look for any possible swelling in the knee joint. The doctor might move your knee in & around in various directions towards determining where exactly the pain is and how severe the ligament tear symptoms are in your condition.
If the doctor believes that you have received a ligament tear, then you might have to undergo diagnostic tests like an MRI scan or X-rays. The tests will help your doctor in observing the level of damage done to the soft tissues inside the knee.
What are the Complications of Ligament Tear?
Some of the common complications of ligament tear include:
- Difficulty in walking or moving around
- Swelling in the knee joint
- Partial or complete bed rest for several days
- Difficulty in playing around or doing active chores like running, jogging, and others
What is the Treatment for Ligament Tear?
When you are diagnosed with a ligament tear or LCL injury, you might have to take complete bed rest for a few days. Some of the additional treatments that your doctor might suggest include:
- Physical Therapy: The professional physical therapist might suggest some specific movements or exercises that will help in strengthening your muscles around the knee joint.
- Surgery: If there is a complete ligament tear, then you might have to undergo surgery to repair the same. The surgeon might have to stitch up the torn ligament or attach the same to the bone to where it has been attached previously. This would depend on the level of damage done to the LCL.
Home Remedies for Ligament Tear
For minor ligament tears and sprains, you can practice some first-aid home remedies. The remedies might include putting an ice pack on the injured area, wrapping up the same with an elastic band, elevating the region, and staying off the leg for some time.
Did You Know?
- Ligament tear happens to be the most common knee injury out there.
- Ligament tears usually occur while playing intense sports or during a collision
- Ligament tear must be given treatment to ensure proper balance.
Related Links
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JsVyV6s0cE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMl-6mqxVr8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdEGvhDmb_c
Related articles
Brain Cancer refers to the presence of such abnormal cells in a person’s brain.
Dialysis is a procedure in which the blood is filtered mechanically without the help of the kidneys. If the kidneys are not functioning properly then Dialysis will take over the function of the failed kidneys.
Bladder infection or cystitis is inflammation and disease within the urinary bladder. Bacteria are the most common causal organism for the bladder infection.