It is an excessive stretching or rupture (partial or complete) of the ligament that reinforces the anterior aspect of the knee.
It occurs as a consequence of a strong blow, excessive extension, forced movement, for example, when doing sport.
Sometimes a "crunching" sound can be heard by the rupture of the fibers of the ligament and then appears inflammation of the knee and pain that increases when loading weight on her. If the slight one, it is noticed unstable or that it is "loose".
The diagnosis is made by means of the clinical history and the clinical exploration. As a complementary test, magnetic nuclear resonance will be performed.
At the beginning it is important to rest and use crutches, elevate the leg, put ice for two days and take anti-inflammatory drugs. Then rehabilitation and, if indicated by the traumatologist, even surgery.
- Ryan P Friedberg. Anterior cruciate ligament injury. UpToDate. Sep 16, 2016.
- Gordon MD, Steiner ME. Anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In: Orthopaedic Knowledge Update Sports Medicine III, Garrick JG. (Ed), American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Rosemont 2004. p.169.
- Prodromos CC, Han Y, Rogowski J, et al. A meta-analysis of the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tears as a function of gender, sport, and a knee injury-reduction regimen. Arthroscopy 2007; 23:1320.
- Risberg MA, Oiestad BE, Gunderson R, et al. Changes in Knee Osteoarthritis, Symptoms, and Function After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A 20-Year Prospective Follow-up Study. Am J Sports Med 2016; 44:1215.
- Laredo R. Polo F, delgado V, Caldevilla D. Fracturas, luxaciones y esguinces. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010: 1056-1057.
