Clinical Management of Ligament Injuries of the Knee and Postoperative Rehabilitation

Abstract

Ligament injuries of the knee are common and occur via a variety of mechanisms. The medial collateral ligament is most commonly injured but injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is most often highlighted in the media due to its prevalence in sports. However, there are other less common but important ligamentous injuries that can also occur. The long term impact on overall function of the knee depends on the injury pattern and severity. Each ligament is distinct with respect to anatomy. Therefore, mechanism of injury, diagnosis and treatment are based on physical exam as well as imaging. Treatment and overall outcome depends on type of injury and time from the lesion. Surgical management involves restoring specific anatomy and biomechanical properties of these ligaments. Rehabilitation is tailored to the specific injury pattern and should be individualized for each patient with the hope to provide a stable functional knee.