Knee ligament injuries are common. Many of the patients who ask for the help of our knee consultants in Leeds have suffered some form of ligament tear or sprain, but fortunately few are devastating.

There are several ligaments that support the knee:

• The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) sit on the inner and outer edges of the knee and help stabilise the bones of the knee joint.
• The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sits in the centre of the knee close to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL limits forward motion of the shin bone, while the PCL limits backward motion.

> Discover more about Complex Ligament injuries

Most severe?

PCL

Unless it is combined with some other injury, PCL damage rarely causes more than initial swelling and pain. Whilst the knee may feel unstable, it’s rare for a PCL to cause actual instability where the knee gives way. Talk to our Leeds knee specialists about a PCL injury and you’ll likely be recommended physiotherapy, which can help the knee return to normal.

> Discover more about Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries

MCL

MCL tears are graded, with Grade 1 injuries requiring rest, ice, compression, elevation and physiotherapy. You should make a full recovery but it will take at least six weeks.

Grade 2 and 3 injuries are more significant and may require the use of a brace to help recovery. They rarely require surgery though.

> Discover more about Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries

ACL

Probably the ligament that receives greatest focus in the media (because of the problems it can cause for footballers, rugby players and other sportsmen and women). ACL is also the commonest form of ligament reconstruction.

ACL injuries can be treated using braces, but your Leeds knee specialist is likely to recommend reconstructive surgery, in which the surgeon aims to replace the stabilising function of the ligament by removing the remains of the damaged ACL and replacing it with a graft.

ACL injuries are severe, typically taking 6-9 months for a full recovery and a return to sporting activities.

But the most severe ligament injury of all involves a combination of ligament damage.

> Discover more about Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries

Complex

Yorkshire Knee Clinic’s Leeds knee specialists need to see complex injuries quickly if they are to increase the chances of a successful outcome.

Complex ligament injuries involve damage to multiple ligaments. To sustain one, you’ll typically have been involved in a major accident or a high energy twisting injury on the sports field. Because of their complexity treatment and rehabilitation can be prolonged, and that’s why these are the most severe form of ligament injury.

Yorkshire Knee Clinic’s Leeds knee specialists provide expert treatment of knee ligament damage, including the most severe and complex cases. Better outcomes and faster recovery begin with a swifter diagnosis. So if you are experiencing knee pain and you live in Leeds, our knee consultants can help.

Contact the knee specialists for Leeds at Yorkshire Knee Clinic today or phone us on 03453 052 579.