$Unique_ID{BRK01152}
$Pretitle{Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue}
$Title{"Cruciate" Ligament Injury}
$Subject{knee ligament cruciate}
$Volume{M-18}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


"Cruciate" Ligament Injury


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QUESTION:  An injury to my knee has left me confused, and crippled.  All I can
gather from my doctor's explanation is that I need more tests to find out how
badly my "cruciate" is damaged, and that it may take surgery to get me back up
and running.  I need more information to make a good decision, can you please
provide it for me?

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ANSWER:  From the information you have provided, I can gather that you have
sustained an injury to one of the two ligaments that help support the function
of the knee the "cruciates" (from the Latin meaning "shaped like a cross").
However it is not clear which ligament you have injured, the anterior or the
posterior, and that diagnosis is sometimes difficult to make after an
examination.  When the anterior cruciate ligament is injured there is an
immediate swelling of the knee, pain to the back of the knee and varying
degrees of joint instability sufficient to make you cease you activity.  In
the case of a posterior injury, which may be caused by a fall on the knee or a
blow to the front of the leg, while there is pain, swelling may be slow to
develop, and the injury will not make you stop your activity.  Physical
examination may lead to a correct diagnosis, but standard x-rays may not show
too much.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be helpful in determining the
extent of the injury or tear to the ligament, but in most cases, where there
is much instability, it will take arthroscopy to determine the exact extent of
the injury to the ligaments, as well as to the other components of this
vulnerable joint.  Using a telescope like instrument, which is inserted into
the knee space through a small incision, the surgeon can inspect the
ligaments, cartilage, bone and other tissues.  When the ligament is severely
torn, reconstructive surgery can be used to both repair the damage and restore
full function and stability to the joint.  This may be the plan of your
physician when indicates that more tests and surgery is necessary in your
case.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
