Cruciate Ligament Tear - CENTRE FOR ORTHOPAEDICS, SPORTS MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION - Dr. Erich H. Rembeck

Cruciate Ligament Tear

Function of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Symptoms of a Cruciate Ligament Tear

The cruciate ligaments are the most important stabilisers of the knee, as they guide the joint during movement. The cruciate ligament tear belongs to the most common injury in the region of the knee joint and is not usually notable while walking. However, it is relatively reliably diagnosed with the aid of simple examinations. A painful, significant swelling is mostly present, which is often accompanied by a bleeding joint effusion (Haemarthrosis). The human knee joint has an anterior cruciate ligament as well as a posterior cruciate ligament. The symptoms are very similar, that they can be confused with one another after injury.

Treatment of an anterior cruciate ligament tear

A cruciate ligament tear should be treated in every case once the diagnosis has been made, because it practically never heals itself by growing together. Usually by a necessary operation a new replacement ligament of the same knee joint is mostly used and inserted as a replacement for the torn anterior cruciate ligament. In most cases the semitendinosus tendon is used for this purpose, in other cases the quadriceps tendon or the patella tendon. In the last 10 years we have been involved in the usage of the semitendinous tendon, and have played a role in the development of actual techniques. Several thousand operations confirm the success of this method of operation. It lies however in the hands of the experienced surgeon, coordinated for the individual necessity and the condition of the injured knee, to also use other methods which at the end should lead to the same result for the injured patient. The fixation of the implanted new cruciate ligament is undertaken with special implants, which partly dissolve. In some cases it is necessary to use permanent implants. In exceptional cases it is also possible to keep the original cruciate ligament by using a special operating method. With this, the rehabilitation time would be significantly reduced. The success rates after these interventions are excellent, especially when no additional injuries are present. The timing of the operation must be individually determined. It lies mostly between 1 and 6 weeks after injury.

Inability to Work

Light office work can be resumed after 1 to 2 weeks. The usage of crutches is normally 2 weeks. This can however increase up to 6 weeks due to accompanying cartilage damage or meniscus suturing. Challenging occupational activities should be avoided for approximately 6 weeks.

Sport after treatment

After 7-8 weeks little weight-bearing types of sport can be undertaken in the rehabilitation process (cycling, swimming). Knee joint weight-bearing types of sports with sudden change in direction should only be practised after 6-9 months.