The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the collateral ligament on the inside of the leg. Injuries are common when a player is hit from the outside on the planted leg and the knee bends inward, or when the ski gets caught and the edge is thrown to the side. Fortunately, because the MCL is well vascularized to the exterior of the joint, it almost always heals without surgery as long as it is protected during the healing period and light but non-deforming stress is applied. This is accomplished by moving the knee from 30 to 90 degrees and avoiding full extension and lateral loading.
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) crosses the anterior cruciate ligament and prevents the tibia from sliding backwards on the femur. It is most often injured in car accidents when the knee hits the dashboard and is thrown backward, tearing the ligament. It rarely, if ever, successfully heals on its own. Because cruciate ligament repair and reconstruction techniques have been difficult, many doctors still recommend non-surgical treatment of cruciate ligament injuries. However, if left untreated, knees with PCL tears often develop meniscal tears and arthritis. Surgical techniques have improved so much that we routinely repair or reconstruct this ligament with bone-patellar-tendon-bone donor tissue, the strongest substitute available today.
The posterolateral corner of the knee (PLC) is not actually a ligament but a fusion of soft tissue at the posterior (posterior) and outer (lateral) corner of the knee. In up to 30% of ACL injuries, the area is significantly injured, but the injury is often missed even when performing an MRI. It is diagnosed by careful examination of the knee, which shows that the tibia separates from the femur when the leg is flexed. Missing diagnosis and failure to repair this corner when ACL is reconstructed is a common cause of recurrent knee instability and ACL failure. We reconstruct this corner with donor tape, which almost always makes the knee feel more stable and protects the central ligaments.
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is much less likely to be injured when playing sports, although the injury can occur when someone rolls down a ski slope or gets hit from the side when playing soccer or football. The LCL can heal on its own if the injury is isolated from the LCL, but when found in combination with the ACL or PCL, the injury often needs repair. The repair is usually done with sutures.
The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is a thickening of the synovium (a layer of tissue that lines the joints and tendon sheaths) on the anterior exterior of the knee. It can be injured if the ACL is torn and can be diagnosed with an MRI. Reinforcement of this area with sutures, or occasionally with a graft, can provide additional stability to the ACL reconstruction, although we suspect that most of the time it will heal on its own.
So now you know that there are many structures that guide
the knee, all of which must be evaluated in any complex knee injury. When you
hear about the athlete who injured his cruciate ligament, you may wonder what
else was injured. This answer will determine how well and how quickly they
return to the sport. read more. healthnutritionhints