The largest joint in the human body is the knee. In addition, it has the greatest mobility and provides stability when walking, so its damage causes severe discomfort. The rupture of ligaments of the knee joint is fraught with the fact that the femoral and tibial bones cease to be fixed, and accordingly, the integrity and functionality of the motor apparatus is impaired.
Rupture of ligaments of the knee joint - symptoms
The earliest sign during the injury is audible crackling or crunching, this sound accompanies the damage to collagen fibers.
Subsequent symptoms of rupture of ligaments of the knee joint:
- feeling of shin dislocation left or right;
- a strong swelling around the knee, it may seem that it has increased in diameter;
- sharp, piercing pain in the area of damage;
- difficulty with carrying weight on a sick leg while walking;
- pathology of mobility of the joint: either restriction or reinforcement (ballotation of the patella).
Types of rupture of ligaments of the knee joint
The type of injury considered according to the severity of the injury is classified as follows:
- partial rupture of ligaments of the knee joint (1st degree);
- a moderate injury (grade 2), when more than 50% of the collagen fibers are damaged, but the joint is still intact;
- complete rupture of ligaments of the knee joint (grade 3).
Depending on the nature of the damage, distinguish:
- rupture of lateral ligament (external or internal);
- rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee (anterior or posterior).
Often there is a mixed leg injury with a combination of different types of injuries. This leads to profuse hemorrhages in the joint and further provokes the development of hemarthrosis.
Rupture of ligaments of the knee joint - treatment
The most important stage in the therapy of this injury is the first few days after injury. During this period it is important to ensure complete rest and fixation of the knee to avoid the development of pain syndrome and swelling. In addition, in the next 24 hours after rupture of ligaments, it is necessary to apply cold compresses to the leg. This will prevent possible hemorrhage due to narrowing of blood vessels and slightly relieve swelling.
Further treatment is to stabilize the correct position of the knee by means of elastic bandages, bandages or tight bandages. Also fixing will help to avoid wrong actions at pathological strengthening of mobility. During a night's sleep or rest, the leg should be raised (positioned above the chest level) to reduce blood flow to the injury site.
The removal of the pain syndrome that accompanies the rupture of the ligaments of the knee joint is provided by anti-inflammatory drugs (nonsteroidal), such as Ibuprofen , Diclofenac or Ketorolac.
Rupture of ligaments of the knee joint - operation
Surgical intervention is required only at the third severity of injury. In this case, the ligament is stitched during an endoscopic operation.
In rare situations, replacement of damaged tissues with autografts or synthetic materials is performed.
Rupture of ligaments of the knee joint - restoration
Rehabilitation after the trauma under consideration includes the following activities:
- warming compresses and rubbing (application of a heating pad, use of special local preparations, ointments that enhance blood circulation);
- physiotherapeutic procedures (diadynamic currents, paraffin applications, electrophoresis , magnetotherapy);
- massotherapy;
- physical exercises under the guidance of an orthopedic physician.
Rupture of ligaments of the knee joint - consequences
As a rule, timely treatment to the doctor guarantees a quick recovery and restoration of normal functions of the joint and ligaments. Some discomfort can bring only the immediate period of treatment because of the limitation of leg mobility and the subsequent rehabilitation period.