Knee ligament injury – what’s the treatment? 

Find out what causes knee ligament injuries, the different types, and what you can do to help recovery.

Type of knee ligament injuries

What are the symptoms?

What causes knee ligament injuries?

When to see a doctor about a knee ligament injury

Self-care for knee ligament injuries

How are knee ligament injuries diagnosed?

What are the treatments?

How long does it take to recover from a knee ligament injury?

From knee swelling and a low range of movement to pain and being unable to put pressure on your knee, having a knee ligament injury can stop you from doing everyday tasks. Discover more about ligament damage and the best treatment.

Whether it's caused by playing sports, activities such as skiing, or due to a collision or accident, a knee ligament injury can stop you from going about your life as normal. 

Ligaments are the elastic bands that connect your bones and give joints, like your knee, strength. They can become twisted (sprained) or ruptured (torn).

Read on to find out more about these injuries.


## Type of knee ligament injuries

Your knee is made up of 4 main ligaments, each connecting your thigh bone to your shin bone. 

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most common ligament to be injured, especially when playing sports involving jumping and twisting your body. 

Each of the ligaments found in the knee include:

- __the ACL__ – found in the center of your knee, enabling rotation of your knee and forward motion of your shin bone
- __the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)__ – located at the back of the knee, controlling backward movement of the shin
- __the medial collateral ligament (MCL) __– provides strength and stability to the inner knee
- __the lateral collateral ligament (LCL)__ – gives strength and flexibility to the outer knee.

Knee ligament injuries are graded into 3 separate groups, depending on their severity: 

- __grade 1__ – for milder injuries, when the ligament has been stretched but it’s still providing support to the knee joint
- __grade 2__ – when the ligament has been stretched and is partially torn
- __grade 3__ – when the ligament is torn in half and no longer gives any stability to the knee joint.


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## What are the symptoms?

It depends what type of knee ligament has been injured. Cruciate ligament injuries, such as the ACL and PCL, often cause: 

- a popping sound when the injury happens
- leg buckling – it usually means you aren’t able to stand on it
- pain, but this might not be the case for everyone
- immediate knee swelling
- low range of movement in the knee.

If you’ve damaged a collateral ligament, the symptoms might cause: 

- a popping sound when the injury happens
- leg buckling when you try to walk on it
- pain at the inside or outside of your knee
- knee swelling
- instability of the knee.


## What causes knee ligament injuries?

They’re more common in athletes and people who often play sports, but they can be caused by trauma from car accidents too.

- __ACL injuries__ – when the ligament is damaged after a sudden twisting motion. Think of your feet being planted one way when your knee turns the other. ACL injuries are common in sports like basketball and soccer, which require sudden changes of direction 
- __PCL injuries__ – another common knee injury, usually the result of a sudden direct impact, such as a car accident or a football tackle
- __MCL and LCL injuries__ – often triggered by a blow to the outside of the knee during sports like football or hockey. It’s more common to injure your MCL than your LCL. 

## When to see a doctor about a knee ligament injury

Some signs associated with cruciate and collateral ligament injuries are similar to other conditions or medical issues, so getting the right diagnosis from a doctor as soon as possible is important. 

Seek emergency help right away if: 

- you hear a popping sound when the injury happens
- your knee pain is caused by a major injury
- you can’t walk or move your leg
- your knee or leg has become deformed
- your knee is very painful.


## Self-care for knee ligament injuries

In the first 72 hours after your injury you should follow the below to help ease swelling and any pain. You should also see your doctor for a diagnosis. Early self-care measures include: 

- __following the R.I.C.E.R principle__ – rest your knee to avoid putting it under strain (crutches can help avoid putting weight on the area), apply an ice pack to reduce swelling, wear a brace to compress the joint, and elevate it to reduce fluid retention and swelling in the area. The last ‘R’ stands for refer, which means to see a medical professional for a diagnosis
- __taking painkillers__ – such as ibuprofen, which can reduce inflammation
- __avoid__ drinking alcohol, massaging the affected area or applying heat, which can slow the healing process. 

After 72 hours, you should be able to start some gentle exercises to help you build up your flexibility and strength so you can get back your full movement. Your doctor can help advise you. 


## How are knee ligament injuries diagnosed?

At your appointment, your doctor will examine your knee and ask questions about how the injury happened, and your medical history. 

They’re also likely to run tests, such as: 

- __X-ray__ – to check if your injury is caused by a broken bone
- __magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)__ – provides images of organs, muscles, and ligaments to check for damage 
- __arthroscopy__ – a small tube is inserted into the joint through a small incision to find the cause of bone pain and inflammation plus check for joint problems.


## What are the treatments?

The treatment you have for a knee ligament injury depends on a range of factors, such as: 

- your age
- your medical history
- your symptoms
- how severe your injury is
- the type of knee ligament injury.

If your doctor doesn’t think you need surgery, your treatment plan may include: 

- taking pain-relieving medication, such as ibuprofen
- carrying out specific muscle-strengthening exercises, shown to you by a specialist
- wearing a protective knee brace whenever you walk or do any exercise
- applying an ice pack to your knee to reduce swelling.

If your injury is severe and you’ve torn a ligament, or other treatments haven’t worked, you might need knee ligament repair or reconstruction surgery. 

A repair involves re-stitching the torn ligament. In the case of a reconstruction, the damaged ligament is replaced with a healthy tendon, either from your body, or from an organ donor. 


## How long does it take to recover from a knee ligament injury?

This comes down to which ligament you’ve injured, how serious your injury is, whether or not you’ve had surgery, and how your body responds to the surgery. 

If you don’t need surgery and you’ve followed treatment guidelines, your injury could heal in around 6 weeks, although everyone is different. 

Don’t return to active exercise or sports until you can walk at speed, run or turn without pain or swelling. 

If you’ve had surgery, full recovery may take a few months, and you should not drive until advised by your healthcare provider. 


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