Knee Ligament Injuries: PCL, LCL, MCL, and ACL Injury

Ligament injuries in the knee - such as an anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL) -- are dreaded by professional and amateur athletes alike. They can be painful and debilitating. They can even permanently change your lifestyle.

But there's good news. While an ACL injury or other ligament damage once ended the career of many an athlete, treatment is much more successful now.

So what's behind these feared injuries? Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect the bones in your body. Two important ligaments in the knee, the ACL and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL),  connect the thigh bone with the bones of the lower leg. But too much stress on these ligaments can cause them to stretch too far -- or even snap.

ACL injury and other ligament injuries can be caused by:

• Twisting your knee with the planted.
• Getting hit on the knee.
• Extending the knee too far.
• Jumping and landing on a flexed knee.
• Stopping suddenly when running.
• Suddenly shifting weight from one leg to the other.

These injuries are common in soccer players, football players, basketball players, skiers, gymnasts, and other athletes.

There are four ligaments in the knee that are prone to injury.

• Mentioned above, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the two major ligaments in the knee. It connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. ACL injuries are a common cause of disability in the knee. In the U.S., 95,000 people get them every year. They are more common in women than men.
• The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the second major ligament in the knee connecting the thigh bone to the shin bone.
• The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) connects the thigh bone to the fibula, the smaller bone of the lower leg.
• The medial collateral ligament (MCL) also connects the thigh bone to the shin bone.

What Does a Knee Ligament Injury Feel Like?

An ACL injury -- or other ligament injury -- is sometimes hard to diagnose. Symptoms of a knee ligament injury are:

• Pain, often sudden and severe.
• A loud pop or snap during the injury.
• Swelling.
• A feeling of looseness in the joint.
• Inability to put weight on the point without pain.

If they're not treated at the time, ACL injuries and other types of ligament injuries may act up months or years later. They can make your knee give out when you twist or pivot.

To diagnose an ACL or other ligament injury, your doctor will give you a thorough exam. If your knee is swollen with blood, your doctor may use a needle to drain it. You may need X-rays, MRI ( Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans, or other tests.

What's the Treatment for a Knee Ligament Injury?

Happily, a mild to moderate knee ligament injury may heal on its own given time. To speed the healing, you can:

• Rest the knee. Avoid putting excess weight on your knee. You may need to use crutches for a time.
• Ice your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Do it for 20-30 minutes every 3-4 hours for 2-3 days, or until the pain and swelling is gone.
• Compress your knee. Use an elastic bandage, straps, or sleeves on your knee to control swelling.
• Elevate your knee on a pillow when you're sitting or lying down.
• Wear a knee brace to stabilize the knee and protect it from further injury.
• Take anti-inflammatory painkillers. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Advil, Aleve, or Motrin, will help with pain and swelling. However, these drugs can have side effects and they should be used only occasionally, unless your doctor specifically says otherwise.
• Practice stretching and strengthening exercises if your doctor recommends them.