Knee joint: ligaments and injuries associated with them. How to treat ligaments of the knee joint

Speaking of the knee, most people mean the knee joint. Indeed, it is an important anatomical part, however, its functionality without muscles and tendons is impossible. When walking, running, sports, there is a significant load on this area, which increases the risk of damage. Let us consider in more detail the knee joint, ligaments, the muscular apparatus and the problems that arise during the action of the traumatic factor.

Features of anatomy

In the formation of the joint involved three bones: part of the femoral, patella and part of the tibia. The patella is represented by femoral-tibial and femur-patellar articulations. Anatomical features contribute to the simultaneous mutual movement of bones in several planes.

Menisci, represented by cartilages of connective tissue, are "pads" between the heads of bones. Their function is to provide depreciation, distribution of pressure and load when driving. On both sides of the meniscus are associated with the capsule of the joint with the help of coronary ligaments.

Stabilizers of the joint are the following muscle groups, awareness of which is considered an important point in the trauma:

1. The quadriceps muscle occupies the anterior surface of the thigh. It is considered to be the strongest anatomical structure of the muscular apparatus of this region.
2. The sartorius muscle is the longest. It provides flexion of both the thigh and the lower leg, bypassing the knee joint.
3. The thin muscle passes behind and slightly to the side of the joint, allowing you to lead the thigh and bend the knee.
4. The large adductor muscle participates not only in the reduction of the thigh, but also in its extension or extension of the pelvis with respect to the thigh.
5. Behind the transverse axis is the biceps femoris muscle, which allows you to bend the shin, unbend the thigh, and provide movement outside.
6. Behind and inside the joint is a subconscious muscle, extending the thigh, flexing the shin and providing circular rotation of the limb.
7. The semimembranous muscle functions similar to the sub-suicidal muscle.
8. The triceps muscle of the lower leg bends the shin in the knee and the foot in the ankle joint.
9. A short and flat popliteal muscle is located on the posterior surface. The function is to bend and rotate the shin.

Knee Functions

The efficiency of the knee joint is important for the human body. It can move along the vertical and frontal axes. Extension and flexion occur along the frontal axis, along the vertical axis - rotation of the limb.

Bending the joint allows the human foot to step forward without hitting the limb on the ground, and gently placing it. Otherwise, the human leg would be carried in the upper forward direction by raising the hip.

Ligament apparatus

The knee joint, the ligaments of which are represented by five main groups, is considered to be an anatomically difficult part of the body. Its composition includes the following types of ligaments:

• Collateral (tibial, peroneal);
• Cross-shaped (anterior, posterior);
• Transverse ligament of the knee;
• Posterior (arcuate, popliteal, patellar ligament, medial and lateral);
• Coronary (meniscus-femoral, meniscus-tibial).

In case of traumatization, especially sports injuries, the main load occurs on the cruciate ligaments of the knee joint. The terms of rehabilitation and rehabilitation period depend on the nature of the trauma and the damaging factor, the characteristics of the victim's body, lasting from 4 to 6 months.

Cross-shaped ligaments and their functionality

The anterior ligament extends from the posterior upper part of the femoral meniscus through the cavity of the knee joint, attaching to the tibia, which enters the articular conglomerate. Its function is to stabilize the knee joint, limiting the movement of the tibia forward.

The posterior ligament extends from the anterior part of the femur bone butt and, crossing the joint cavity, is attached to the tibia in the posterior part. The bunch does not allow the shins to shift excessively.

Traumatisation of cruciate ligaments

Such damage is considered to be the most difficult and dangerous, requiring full treatment. Incorrectly selected or untimely initiated therapy leads to the development of lameness and persistent restriction of functioning. Most often, such injuries occur in professional athletes when skiing, skating, jumping, wrestling, arising from a strong impact or unsuccessful turn, fall.

A strong piercing pain and a characteristic click, a sharp restriction of mobility may indicate that the ligament of the knee joint has been torn. The victim can not move independently, only relying on someone.

Injury of the posterior ligament occurs when the knee is overextended or during the impact on the anterior surface of the tibia. Damage to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee joint is most common. Symptoms of this injury are included in the "Turner triad" along with a break in the meniscus and the outer ligament.

Clinical picture

The knee joint, whose ligaments have a partial tear, becomes hyperemic, edematous, painful to touch and when trying to move. The joint cavity accumulates blood (hemarthrosis). It is impossible to confuse the inflammation of the ligaments of the knee joint, which has a similar clinic, with the symptoms of trauma that occurred a few days ago.

A complete rupture of the cruciate ligaments causes excessive mobility of the tibia in the anteroposterior plane. This symptom is checked by two specialists at a time. The first holds the back of the thigh and flexes the anesthetized limb in the knee at a right angle. The second doctor checks the tibial movement forward and backward. When stretching or tearing, such a sign will be negative.

Tension of the ligaments implies a slight tearing of the fibers, accompanied by moderate soreness, minor edema, no hemorrhage. Limitation of motor function occurs in a small measure.

Diagnostics

The definition of the mechanism of trauma makes it possible to determine possible damages of anatomical structures. Before examining the injured knee, the doctor examines a healthy one in order to find out the features of the structure. The state of internal structures is assessed using ultrasound and MRI.

Differential diagnosis allows to exclude fractures of bones, patella, rupture of the meniscus. When dislocated, the bones are displaced relative to each other, there is no possibility of motor function, there is a springing resistance when trying to passive movements. To damage ligaments is not characterized by a complete lack of movement, it is limited because of the pain syndrome. Also there is no spring resistance.

Fracture is accompanied by deformation, the appearance of crepitation and pathological mobility. However, there are fractures that do not have similar signs. In this case, confirmation of the diagnosis requires an X-ray examination, ultrasound or MRI.

Principles of treatment

In case of partial damage (stretching, tearing), help is rendered in the emergency room. The limb should be in an elevated position, the first few days - bed rest. The first day after the injury requires the application of cold on the damaged area. The joint is fixed with the help of a tight elastic bandage, which allows to keep the physiological position of the limb while moving. Leave the bandage for the night, so that there is no violation of blood circulation. Pain relief requires the use of analgesics ("Ketanov", "Ketalong", "Nalbufin").

The knee joint, which ligaments require not only conservative therapy, but also surgical treatment, needs a long rehabilitation period. After all the same measures as with partial injuries, physiotherapeutic measures are applied, including massage, physiotherapy exercises, electrophoresis with medications.

Quite often, surgical intervention is required when the cruciate ligament of the knee joint has ruptured. The operation to restore the integrity of anatomical structures is necessary for normal functioning. Surgical intervention is carried out six months after the injury of the joint.

The ideal candidate for the competition is a young athlete who needs to perform jerky limbs in his sport. Older people who do not have a lot of physical exertion are more suitable for conservative therapy and the use of therapeutic physical education.

The plasticity of the cruciate ligament of the knee requires the use of a graft taken from a patellar ligament or a hamstring (autograft). It is also possible to use synthetic prostheses, however, their use can be rejected by the patient's body.

Sewing synthetic transplants is a common procedure when the lateral ligament of the knee joint is broken. Treatment with the help of operational measures is considered a method of choice in this case.

Surgical practice has shown that simple stitching of injured structures practically does not provide restoration of functionality.

What are the complications of a knee injury?

Among the frequent complications of knee injuries are the following:

1. The development of arthritis is possible in 2-3 weeks after joint damage. Inflammatory reaction arises as a result of circulatory disorders and pathological microorganisms falling into the area of trauma. Characterized by pain syndrome, the appearance of swelling, hyperemia, limited mobility due to pain.
2. The appearance of degenerative changes in the form of arthrosis is accompanied by the formation of osteophytes, the thinning of cartilaginous tissues.

Forecast

After receiving the injury, most of the victims are interested in: "The rupture of ligaments of the knee joint how many heals?" A similar question is considered in each case individually. Depending on the nature of the trauma and the characteristics of the body, full capacity for work can return in six months, and maybe in a few months.

What is important is the mechanism of damage and how the victim got a rupture of ligaments of the knee joint. How much the injury heals depends also on the exact observance of the advice of the treating specialist. Early initiation of therapy, taking necessary medications and adherence to the regimen allows to speed up the process of recovery and prevent the development of complications.

Prevention

The list of preventive measures used to minimize damage to joints is reduced to the following measures:

• Adequate physical activity;
• Inflammation of the ligaments of the knee joint should be timely treatment;
• Balanced diet;
• Abstention from alcohol and tobacco abuse;
• Avoiding hypothermia of the body;
• Control of the minimum stay of limbs in static positions;
• The right choice of shoes, the rejection of high heels.

Injury of the knee joint can be prevented, which refers to simpler measures than the restoration of its functionality due to damage.