Knee Ligaments

OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare

Orthopedic Sports Medicine Surgeons, Plastic, Microvascular, & Hand Surgeons, and Surgical Oncology located in San Diego, CA, Temecula, CA, & Encinitas, CA

You might not realize just how much your knees help you walk, move, and function until you experience an injury to a knee ligament. Sports medicine specialist and orthopedic surgeon David Chao, MD, treats a range of knee ligament injuries and finds the root cause of your pain at OasisMD with three convenient locations in Encinitas, San Diego, and Temecula, California. Take control of your health and accelerate the healing process with effective treatment methods. Call OasisMD or schedule online.

Knee Ligaments Q & A

What are knee ligaments?

You have four major ligaments in your knee. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that connect your bones to each other and offer strength and stability for your joint. These tissue bands support your knee on each side.

In some cases, your knee ligaments can get damaged. Each of your ligaments serves a different function and is cared for and treated in a different way by the OasisMD team.

How do knee ligaments become injured?

Most knee ligament injuries are caused by an accident, fall, or trauma, often in a sports game or at work. You might land awkwardly and twist your knee and your leg in an unnatural position.

ACL

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the most commonly injured ligament that’s often stretched or torn during a sudden twisting motion, such as in certain sports games like football and basketball.

The ACL is located in the center of your knee and helps control rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone).

PCL

The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is also a ligament in the knee that commonly gets injured. These injuries often occur with sudden, direct impact, such as during a football tackle or in a car accident.

The PCL is the ligament located in the center of your knee that controls the backward movement of the tibia (shin bone).

LCL

The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the ligament that gives stability to the outer knee. LCL tears and damage are less common.

MCL

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is injured more often than the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Tearing and stretching injuries to the collateral ligaments are typically the result of a blow to the outer side of the knee, such as when playing football or hockey. The MCL gives stability to your inner knee.

How are knee ligament injuries treated?

How your knee ligament injury is treated depends on the type and severity of your injury and your personal health, symptoms, and preferences. Dr. Chao might recommend:

Muscle-strengthening exercises and physical therapy
Ice pack application and resting
Bracing and assistive devices
Surgery when necessary

Dr. Chao has extensive experience in minimally invasive surgical techniques and provides a range of procedures, including knee arthroscopy, tendon and ligament repairs, and knee replacements.

Some surgeries, such as ACL surgeries, involve grafting tissue from another area of your body or from an outside donor.

Most of these surgeries involve general anesthesia, but once you recover from your anesthesia, you can typically go home the same day.

For top-quality orthopedic care for your knee ligament injury, call OasisMD or click to book online.

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