Acute Knee Ligament Tear

Acute Knee Ligament Tear

Acute ligament tears, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The medial collateral ligament (MCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee.

Acute Knee Ligament Tear
Acute Knee Ligament Tear MCL

Difference Between ACL and MCL Tear

The main difference between an ACL tear and an MCL tear is that an ACL tear will have a distinctive popping sound, while an MCL tear will not. An acute knee ligament tear such as MCL tears are typically easier to recover from than ACL tears. With an MCL tear, the recovery process may take up to eight weeks or more with rehabilitation. Can torn knee ligaments heal? A mild to moderate knee ligament injury may heal on its own, in time. To speed the healing, you can: Rest the knee. Avoid putting much weight on your knee if it’s painful to do so.

How do acute ligament tears occur?

If you have a sudden (acute) anterior cruciate ligament (ACLinjury, you typically know when it happens. You may feel or hear a pop, and the knee may give out, causing you to fall. The knee swells and often is too painful or unstable for you to continue any activity.  Knee strains occur when a tendon or muscle in the knee is damaged, often from overuse or a sudden, dramatic increase of use of the knees. Common causes of knee sprains include: A fall, collision or other hit to the body, such as during a contact sport. 

In conclusion, our unique approach to pain management is a specialty at Carolinas Pain Center.  As a result each patient receives an individualized, multidisciplinary approach to care and treatment plan. We have two conveniently located offices in Huntersville, NC and Charlotte, NC.

Acute Knee Ligament Tear MCL

References-

Jeffrey L Jackson Patrick G O’MalleyKurt Kroenke 2003 Oct 7;139(7):575-88. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-139-7-200310070-00010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14530229/
2020 Nov;49(11):1765-1772. doi: 10.1007/s00256-020-03446-4. Epub 2020 May 29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32472207/
2020 May;44(5):885-891. doi: 10.1007/s00264-020-04485-1. Epub 2020 Jan 29. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31996993/