Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament

Knee

Diagnosis: RUPTURE OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT
(RUPTURA LIGAMENTUM CRUCIATUM ANTERIUS)


Anatomy: The bones in the knee joint comprise the thigh bone (femur), shin bone (tibia) and the knee cap (patella). There is furthermore a small joint between the shin bone and the calf bone (fibula). The knee joint is strengthened by a joint capsule which is in turn strengthened on the sides by an outer and an inner collateral ligament (ligamentum collaterale laterale (LCL) and ligamentum collaterale mediale (MCL)). Inside the knee there are two ligaments, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ligamentum cruciatum anterius (ACL) and ligamentum cruciatum posterius (PCL)).
 

  1. Ligamentum cruciatum posterius
  2. Ligamentum collaterale mediale/tibiale
  3. Meniscus medialis
  4. Insertio anterior menisci medialis
  5. Ligamentum transversum genus
  6. Tibiae
  7. Fibulae
  8. Ligamentum cruciatum anterius
  9. Ligamentum collaterale laterale/fibulare
  10. Meniscus lateralis
  11. Femur

KNEE JOINT FROM THE FRONT

Cause: Rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament usually occurs during running with fast changes of direction or as the result of a fall while skiing. Most injuries occur without contact with an opponent. Cruciate ligament injuries in adolescents are being diagnosed with increasingly regularity.

Symptoms: Usually a snap can be heard or felt and continued sports activity must be aborted. The knee swells within the first few hours, after which the knee can not bend completely. You can subsequently often sense that the leg gives way (knee failure).

Acute treatment: Click here.

Examination: If a partial or complete rupture of the cruciate ligament is suspected, you should seek medical attention (casualty ward) immediately, to obtain a diagnosis. The doctor can perform various tests on the knee (front drawer looseness, Lachmann Pivot shift) to examine the stability of the knee. It should be noted that the looseness in the knee can often only be demonstrated after two weeks. The fluid in the knee can be drained. Blood in the knee provides a very strong suspicion of a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. The examination is often more difficult in adolescents. The bleeding that occurs after a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament can usually be seen in an ultrasound scan (Ultrasonic image) (article) or MR-scan. Arthroscopy (a telescopic examination of the knee) is the best suited examination if there is any doubt in the diagnosis.

Treatment: Caution will normally be exercised regarding operating on children in the pre-teenage age group, however, teenagers nearing a fully grown state will usually be advised surgery with the insertion of a new cruciate ligament (article-1) (article-2) (article-3).

Rehabilitation of children and adolescents: INSTRUCTION

An intensive rehabilitation period of at least six months is to be expected. It is important that the knee is stretched completely at least twice a day. The surgeon should be consulted if problems occur with stretching the knee completely

Bandage: Hinge bandages (Don-Joy) can be utilised the first few weeks. Tape treatment of cruciate ligament ruptures in the knee has no sure effect.

Complications: In case of lack of progress you should consider various complications:

In cases where the knee cap tendon is used as a new cruciate ligament an inflammation is often seen where the knee cap tendon has been removed (article).
In children and adolescents there is a risk of affecting the development of the leg operated upon, as it is necessary to pierce the growth zone to insert the artificial cruciate ligament (article).


Special: Since there is a risk that the injury can cause permanent disability, the injury should be reported to your insurance company.