More commonly known as the ACL, a sprain or tear of the anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most frequently occuring knee injuries. If you have a sprain or tear to your anterior cruciate ligament, it is likely you have damage to other parts of your knee as well. Cruciate ligaments in your knee cross each other to form an “X” and control the back and forth motion of your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament runs diagonally through the middle of your knee and provides stability to your tibia and your knee as a whole. Athletes are more likely to have ACL injuries than the rest of the population, as these injuries are often caused by direct contact, stopping or changing direction suddenly, or landing from jumping incorrectly. Symptoms may include a popping noise and your knee giving out from under you, swelling and intense pain, and an inability to walk. Surgery is the only way to repair a torn ACL, but nonsurgical options for elderly patients may also include physical therapy and bracing. Our doctors can help you understand your options for surgery and recovery!

Collateral ligaments are located on the sides of your knees and connect the femur to the tibia (medial collateral ligament) and to the fibula (lateral collateral ligament). These ligaments regulate the sideways motion of your knee joint and protect it from unusual or harmful movement. Athletes are more susceptible to collateral ligament injuries than the general population, as these sprains are typically caused by direct contact to the knee or hard muscle contractions (like changing directions suddenly while running). Pain on the inside or outside of your knee, as well as swelling and instability, may be signs of a collateral ligament injury. Depending on the severity of the sprain, bracing, ice, and physical therapy may be sufficient treatments, but occasionally surgery is required. We can give you a correct diagnosis and help relieve your pain!

There are four ligaments in your knee: the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, the medial collateral ligament, and the lateral collateral ligament. Each of these four ligaments plays a vital role in the stability and movement of your knee joint. Injuring mutliple ligaments at once is a common and serious sports injury that can lead to a loss of blood supply to the leg and disruption of the muscle nerves. Symptoms may include intense pain, swelling, and instability, but a physical examination by a medical professional is required to accurately diagnose a combined knee ligament injury. Because these injuries are so severe, surgery is often recommended immediately after diagnosis. More than one operation may be needed. Our doctors can help you understand your options for treatment!

There are two rubbery pieces of protective cartilage in your knee known as meniscus and located between your thighbone and shinbone. They serve to cushion and stabilize your knee joint. When the menisci wear thin or tear over time as a result of aging, the bone nerves are exposed, and this results in pain, stiffness, and swelling. When an athlete twists their knee suddenly or experiences direct contact, their menisci may tear, and they may experience a popping sound, pain, swelling, and instability. Depending on the type of tear, you will most likely require surgery, but some meniscal tears do heal with rest and physical therapy. The doctors at Westchase Orthopedics & Rehabilitation can treat your mensical tear and relieve your pain!