Knee Pain Cure

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament is the most commonly injured ligament of the knee. The ligament is injured most frequently during sports, particularly football. Skiing is also a source of numerous ACL tears. A popping noise is often heard when the injury occurs. Shortly after the injury, swelling occurs which is caused by bleeding in joint caused by torn blood vessels. The knee feels like it wants to bend too far backwards.

While the swelling will recede in 2 to 4 weeks, the instability remains. Failure to leave untreated will vastly increase the odds of subsequent arthritis. Additionally, a total tear does not repair or heal with time.

If the swelling occurs within two hours of the trauma, it usually represents blood in the joint. Draining the fluid gives some relief from the swelling. If blood is found when draining the knee, there is about 70% chance the blood came from a torn ACL. X-rays can rule out a fracture, but in order to identify tears of the ligaments or tendons, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test is required. The MRI is very clear, however, an arthroscope can provide definitive analysis. An arthroscope uses a small fiberoptic TV camera which is inserted into the knee joint.

Initial treatments involve aspirating or draining the knee. Once the swelling and pain begins to recede, some form of physical therapy will be introduced to retrain the nerves that cause the muscles around the knee to function. Therapy will retain the nerves and strengthen the muscles that will take over some the functions of stabilizing from the loss of the ACL.

An ACL brace may be required to further add stability, but these need to be fitted by a specialist. If the symptoms of pain and instability do not get resolved, then surgery will be the last line of defense. Generally, arthroscopy is used to perform the work. The joint is not actually opened. An overnight stay is normal, although this procedure is being done on an outpatient basis in certain instances.

In reconstructive surgery, the torn ends of the ACL are removed. A graft will be made using generally about one third of the patellar tendon or the hamstring muscle tendons. These two tendons have been proven not to affect the strength of the leg. Also, the hamstring is strong enough to compensate.

Holes are drilled in the tibia and femur to place the graft. These holes are placed such that the graft will run in the same direction as the original ligament. Rehabilitation is critical, particularly in the first 6 weeks, and should involve three sessions a week with a physical therapist.