Are ligaments the cause of knee pain? Let's learn exactly about these knee ligaments!

You sprained your knee, it hurts when you bend it, it feels like your knee is stuck when you run or jump... Have you ever had these things happen to you? Sometimes your knee just goes numb without you even realizing it. Most of the time, this is due to damage to the ligaments, which are small but very important parts of our knee. Today, we'll talk about what these knee ligaments are, what they do, and what to do if they are injured.

Simply put, what is this knee brace?

Think of your knee as a joint. This joint is made up of two main bones. On top is your thigh bone, the Femur . On the bottom are your lower leg bones, the Tibia and Fibula . Now, isn't it enough to just have these two bones next to each other? You need something to connect them together and keep them stable. That's what the knee ligaments are for.

These ligaments are what keep the knee from moving too much, from side to side, forward to back, and so on. Although these are very strong, they can sometimes be prone to injury.

What are the 4 main types of ligaments in our knees?

There are four main types of ligaments in our knee. Together, these four maintain the overall stability of the knee. Let's look at each of these four separately.

The ACL and PCL ligaments are located on the inside of the knee, crosswise, like the letter 'X'. The unity of these four is what allows us to walk, run, and jump without any problems.

How can these bonds be damaged?

Ligaments are strong tissues, but they can be damaged if they are subjected to a sudden force that they cannot withstand. This damage can range from a minor strain to a complete tear. Such injuries are very common among athletes.

There are several situations where ligaments can be damaged:

• Sudden turns or stops: Imagine you are playing a sport like netball, football, or basketball. When you suddenly change direction or stop suddenly, your knee can twist unnaturally, potentially damaging your ACL.
• Landing incorrectly: Landing incorrectly when jumping can put a lot of pressure on the ligaments.
• Direct blow to the knee: If someone hits you on the side of your knee (tackle) while playing rugby, you can damage the MCL or LCL ligaments.
• Car accidents: When a vehicle suddenly collides, the knee can hit the dashboard in front of it. This is also called a "dashboard injury." In this case, the PCL ligament is most often damaged.
• Hyperextension of the knee: If the knee bends back more than normal due to a force, the ligaments can be stretched or torn.

How do you know if a knee ligament is damaged?

When you have a knee injury, the best thing to do is to see a doctor. The doctor will examine your knee.

1. They will ask you for details: how the accident happened, whether you heard a "pop" sound at the time, how the pain is, and whether there is any swelling to get an idea of ​​the situation.

2. Physical examination: The doctor will hold your knee in his hands, bend it, straighten it, and rotate it from side to side to check the stability of the knee. He will compare it with the other healthy knee.

3. X-ray: A ligament may not show up on an X-ray, but you may be asked to take an X-ray to check for a fracture.

4. MRI scan: The best way to accurately assess damage to soft tissues like ligaments and meniscus is to have an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan.

How to treat a ligature accident?

The treatment method depends on many factors, including the severity of the injury, which ligament is damaged, and your age and activity level.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Minor sprains often do not require surgery.

• RICE method: This is what you basically do.
• R - Rest: Rest the knee. Avoid strenuous activities.
• I - Ice: Apply ice for 15-20 minutes to reduce pain and swelling.
• C - Compression: Wrap the knee with an elastic bandage to control swelling.
• E - Elevation: Keeping the knee above the level of the heart for as long as possible to reduce swelling.
• Painkillers: You can take painkillers such as NSAIDs as directed by your doctor.
• Assistive devices: You may be asked to use crutches to reduce the load on your knees.
• Knee Brace: You may be asked to wear a knee brace to stabilize and protect your knee.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is very important to strengthen the muscles around the knee and restore knee mobility.

Surgical Treatment

If the ligament is completely torn, especially the ACL, and you are a very active athlete, your doctor may recommend surgery. This involves repairing the torn ligament or using a graft from another part of your body. You can discuss this with an orthopedic surgeon .

Can't accidents like this be prevented?

While we cannot prevent all accidents, there are things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Warm-up: It is essential to warm up before doing any sport or exercise.
• Strengthening the muscles: Doing exercises that strengthen the muscles of the thighs and lower legs provides good support for the knees.
• Correct technique: It is very important to use correct posture and technique when playing sports and lifting weights.
• Weight control: As body weight increases, the pressure on the knees increases. Therefore, it is important to maintain a healthy weight.
• Proper footwear: Wear shoes that fit well and are appropriate for the sport or activity you are doing.
• Resting when tired: The body is more likely to have accidents when it is tired. So rest if you are tired.