soccer player with knee injury

Lateral Collateral Ligament or Medial Collateral Ligament Rehabilitaion

About Knee Ligaments

The Knee is one of the most important joints of the human body. For it's stability there is a complex of ligaments around -Lateral and Medial Collateral ligaments and inside - the cruciate ligaments- the joint. During intense activitites - like sports- that load the knee and involve a sudden change of direction, some of those ligaments might be injured. Injury may also happen by a direct hit and side bent of the knee. Lateral and Medial Collateral ligaments are important for the stability of the joint. The Medial Collateral ligament is injured more often. A ligament injury may involve a partial or complete rupture. Physical Therapy may help prevent such an injury, or help heal one. In case, though, of a complete rupture, surgical intervention is needed to restore the integrity of the ligament, and after that Post- Surgical Physical therapy is needed to restore the mobility and strength of the leg. Injury of the ligaments may happen after:

  • Unexpected landing after a jump
  • Sudden twist of the leg
  • Direct hit
  • Muscles incapable for the activity load

Symptoms of MCL or LCL injury

In case of Collateral ligament injury, the sympoms experinced are:

  • Lateral or Medial pain on the knee
  • Inability to exercise
  • Inability to walt long distance
  • Poping sound at the moment of injury
  • Swelling
  • Functional restrictions
  • Performance deterioration
  • Quality of life deterioration

Risk Factors for MCL or LCL injury

Prone to Collateral ligament injuries are:

  • Athletes
  • Participant in sports that involve sidden direction changes
  • Individuals with muscles incapable for the activity load
  • Individuals with high BMI

Differential Assessment

An assessment is required be an Orthopedic Physical Therapist, by taking medical history, clinical examination, and clinical tests, to determine the integrity fo the ligament and potential other injuries or condition, such as :

What if I do not treat MCL or LCL injury

Ligament injuries that are not properly treated, may cause a chronic clinical condition with symptoms such as :

  • Joint instability
  • Reccuring injuries and falls
  • Chronic pain
  • Functional restrictions
  • Performace deterioration
  • Quality of life deterioration

Πως Μπορεί να Βοηθήσει η Φυσικοθεραπεία

Physical Therapy is essentianl from treating an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury. First priority is to relief pain, which is achived by a combination of specialized interventions of electrotherpy, massage and exercise that will bring immediatel results. Later a structured exercise program will restore mobility and strength to the leg and avert future reccurent symptoms. Interventions applied are :

A structrured exercise program for Collateral ligament injury prevention or rehabilitaion will include:

  • Quadriceps sthrengthening
  • Adductor strengthening
  • Proprioception exercises
  • Abductor strengthening
  • Direction change exercises
  • Sport simulation exercises
  • Aerobic program

Did you have surgery for Knee Ligament ?

Physical Therapy can help you maximize the benefits of a surgery.Together with Physical Therapist Mr. Danalis you will customise your rehabilitaion, so that post-surgery pain is addressed quickly, and with exercise your leg will once again be strong and with full range of motion.

For knee injuries Contact PhysioDanali today for expert consultation.

References

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