Treatment of Torn Knee Ligaments Divided into 3 Cases According to Severity
- Partial ligament tear The doctor will treat with pain relievers, muscle relaxants, knee braces, or physical therapy and recommend temporary avoidance of knee use.
- Partial ligament rupture The doctor will consider with the patient whether to perform surgery or not. If not, rest or use a splint may be advised.
- Complete torn knee ligament The doctor will recommend surgery to repair or reconstruct the knee ligament.
Surgical Repair or Reconstruction of Knee Ligaments
Besides the traditional open knee surgery, there is now a new option for knee ligament surgery, which is minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery.
What are the benefits of minimally invasive arthroscopic knee ligament surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery technology can treat both anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and meniscus repair. The advantages of arthroscopic surgery are that patients have only small incisions, less pain during and after surgery, faster wound healing, quicker recovery, easier physical therapy, and can return home sooner without needing to stay in the hospital for several nights.
Postoperative Care for Knee Ligament Surgery Patients
- Patients will have their knees wrapped with thick gauze and then an elastic bandage to prevent swelling.
- After the wound heals, muscle exercises around the knee will begin, guided and supervised by a physical therapist along with the doctor.
- Muscle exercises should be chosen that do not increase weight-bearing on the knee, such as swimming.
- For athletes, after surgery, physical therapy, and good muscle rehabilitation, they can return to sports as before but must always consult the doctor to assess readiness.
Prevention of Torn Knee Ligaments
- When playing sports, learn the correct techniques, choose safe fields, avoid overexertion, and keep knee muscles strong at all times.
- Consider choosing other sports instead of those with high risk of impact, sudden stretching, twisting, or forceful knee movements and collisions.
- Ensure the living environment is safe from falls, such as no obstacles in walkways, especially in homes with elderly people, where handrails should be installed in multiple areas and adequate lighting provided.
- If injured, see a doctor early for proper and prompt treatment and follow the doctor’s advice for correct self-care and rehabilitation.
