Knee Ligament Sprain

There are four major ligaments in the knee that connect the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shin bone). They include the following:

• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)
• Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL)
• Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL)
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL)

These ligaments give stability to the knee and help control forward, backward and rotational movements of the knee.

Physical therapy treatment includes:

• Manual therapy and exercises to improve knee range of motion
• Continuous passive motion in the immediate postoperative period to decrease pain after ACL reconstruction
• Exercises to increase knee strength and hip muscles
• Neuromuscular re-education to improve your knee control/coordination and neighboring joints (such as the hip)
• Progressive weight bearing exercises
• Graded return to activity (such as running)
• Dry needling to decrease muscle tension
• Modalities to reduce pain
• Treatments to decrease swelling

For patients who are athletes or participate in recreational fitness, sport-specific training will assure your safe return to the desired activity. 

References:

1. Logerstedt, David S. et al. “Knee Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Knee Ligament Sprain Revision 2017.” Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, Vol. 47, No. 11, 2017, pp. A1-A47. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT), https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2017.0303.

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