At Shoreline Orthopaedics, our orthopaedic surgeons use a truly collaborative approach so our patients have the benefit of multiple expert opinions, without having to go elsewhere to obtain them.
Shoreline Orthopaedics provides more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art options, technologies and techniques than anyone else in the area.
The following information is provided to help you understand what you can expect from us regarding policies and procedures, and also what is expected of you before and after treatment or procedures.
The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of anatomy, terminology, certain orthopaedic procedures, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your physician.
The knee is the largest joint in your body and one of the most complex. Three bones meet to form the knee joint: the thighbone (femur), shinbone (tibia), and kneecap (patella). The kneecap sits in front of the joint to provide some protection. Knee ligaments connect the thighbone to the lower leg. The four primary ligaments in the knee act like strong ropes, holding the bones together and keeping the knee stable.
It is possible to injure two or more ligaments at the same time. Multiple injuries can have serious complications, such as disrupting blood supply to the leg or affecting nerves that supply the limb's muscles. In severe cases, multiple ligament injuries ACL Injuries and Reconstruction Collateral Ligament Injuries PCL Injuries and Reconstruction may lead to amputation if major blood vessels or nerves are also damaged. Although the MCL is injured more often, an injury to the LCL usually includes injury to other structures in the joint, as well.
An injured ligament is considered a sprain, and is graded on following severity scale:
Because the knee joint relies just on ligaments and surrounding muscles for stability, it is easily injured. Direct contact to the knee or hard muscle contraction, such as changing direction rapidly while running, can injure a knee ligament.
A suspected multiple ligament injury ACL Injuries and Reconstruction Collateral Ligament Injuries PCL Injuries and Reconstruction needs a thorough examination by an experienced physician. Depending on the injury, the orthopaedic surgeon may call in other specialists such as a vascular surgeon or microsurgeon.
In contrast to treatment for single ligament tears, surgery for combined ligament tears is often performed soon after the injury. This is done even though early surgery, before inflammation has resolved, poses an increased risk of arthrofibrosis (a scar forming in the joint). More than one operation may be required when treating multiple ligament injuries.
Results of surgery are typically more consistent for a single ligament injury than for an injury to multiple ligaments. Knee ligament sprains and tears are a common sports injury that, in the past, often put an end to the patient's sports activities. Today, advances in treatment have made it possible for many athletes to return to high-level sports, even after multiple ligament injuries, however each case is unique and there is no certainty of this. A knee conditioning program can help in preventing injury.
VIDEO:Knee Injuries with Kirk Cousins & Dr. Bruce Stewart, Holland Hospital Sports Medicine