Download Grade III MCL Tear

Injuries To The Knee
• Ligament
s
• Tendons
• Menisci
• Patella
• Bursa
Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Definition
An anterior cruciate ligament
(ACL) injury is a tear in the ACL
ligament. The ACL is located in the
middle of the knee joint and
connects the lower leg bone to the
thigh bone and prevents the leg
bone from sliding too far forward
at the knee, which would cause
instability.
Causes
Most ACL tears occur during non-contact
injuries, such as:
Planting the foot and cutting
Pivoting
Landing on a straight leg
Making a sudden stop
Posterior Cruciate Ligament
• Definition
The PCL is the
primary stabilizer
of the knee and the
main controller of
how far backward
the tibia moves
under the femur.
Causes
• The most common way for the PCL alone
to be injured is from a direct blow to the
front of the knee while the knee is bent.
Since the PCL controls how far backward
the tibia moves in relation to the femur, if
the tibia moves too far, the PCL can
rupture.
Medial Collateral Ligament
The medial collateral
ligament spans the
distance from the end of
the femur (thigh bone)
to the top of the tibia
(shin bone) and is on the
inside of the knee joint.
The medial collateral
ligament resists
widening of the inside of
the joint, or prevents
“opening-up” of the
knee.
Causes
Because the medial
collateral ligament resists
widening of the inside of
the knee joint, the MCL is
usually injured when the
outside of the knee joint
is struck.
Severity of an MCL Injury
Grade I MCL Tear
Most athletes miss 1-2 weeks of play. This is an incomplete tear of the MCL.
The tendon is still in continuity, and the symptoms are usually minimal. Patients
usually complain of pain with pressure on the MCL, and may be able to return
to their sport very quickly.
Grade II MCL Tear
3-4 weeks of rest is necessary. Grade II injuries are also considered
incomplete tears of the MCL. These patients may complain of instability when
attempting to cut or pivot. The pain and swelling is more significant.
Grade III MCL Tear
Healing may take 6 weeks or longer.
A grade III injury is a complete tear of the MCL. Patients have significant pain
and swelling, and often have difficulty bending the knee. Instability, or giving
out, is a common finding with grade III MCL tears. A knee brace or a knee
immobilizer is usually needed for comfort.
Lateral Collateral Ligament
The lateral collateral
ligament is located on the
outer side of the knee. It
attaches the thighbone
(femur) to the outside bone
in the lower leg (fibula).
Causes
The lateral collateral
ligament can be injured
by a twisting motion or
from a blow to the inner
side of the knee.
Symptoms may include
the following: pain on
the outer side of the
knee, swelling, heat,
tenderness, feeling of
the knee "giving way"
and one can hear or feel
a pop or snap at the
time of injury.
Tendon Injuries
The patellar tendon
(or ligament as it is
sometimes called)
connects the patella
(kneecap) to tibia
(shin) bone. This is
the tendinous region
just below the knee
cap.
Causes
Under repeated stress
with certain sports, an
overuse of the patella
tendon can occur. This
can often lead to
inflammation and even
a partial tearing of the
tendon. Injury to this
area often affects
athletes involved in
jumping or throwing
sports.
Patellar Tendinitis
Inflammation mainly of
the patellar tendon, but
which may also involve
the quadriceps tendon.
Jumper's knee is
thought to be due to
tiny lesions in the
tendon that develop as
a result of constant,
repetitive jumping.
Ruptured Patella Tendon
Quadricep Tendon Injuries
Quadriceps Tendonitis, It
is a condition that is
painful and the
degeneration of the
inside of the quadriceps
tendon.
Some of the time other
conditions might be
connected with
quadriceps tendonitis.
Diabetes, gout, parahypothyroidism are
other conditions that
might be affected with
quadriceps tendonitis.
Meniscal Injuries
Meniscal injuries
damage the
cushioning tissue
between the tibia and
the femur, inside the
knee joint, on both
sides (medial and
lateral) of the knee.
Causes
They are highly
vulnerable to injury
from abrupt rotations
of the knee while it is
bearing weight, for
example, when you
turn to hit a tennis
ball, rotating your
thigh (femur) while
leaving your foot
stationary.
Types of Meniscal Tears
MRI Torn Medial Meniscus
Arthroscopic Repair
OUCH!!!!!!!!!
Patella Injuries (Chondromalacia)
• Most patients will complain of pain on the
front of the knee that is exacerbated by
stair climbing, squatting maneuvers,
kneeling, and prolonged sitting.
• Muscle atrophy leads to imbalance in the
muscles that control movement of the
patella within its groove on the end of the
femur.
Patella Injuries (Chondromalacia)
Patella Injuries (Bursitis)
Prepatellar
bursitis is the
inflammation of a
small sac of fluid
located in front of
the kneecap. This
inflammation can
cause many
problems in the
knee.
Causes
Bursitis is the
inflammation of a
bursa. The
prepatellar bursa
can become
irritated and
inflamed in a
number of ways.
A direct blow or a
fall onto the knee
can damage the
bursa.
Q Angle