Knee Ligament Injuries in Mona Vale
Knee ligament injuries commonly occur during sport, falls, twisting movements or direct impacts to the knee. They can range from mild sprains to complete ligament tears. At Helix Recovery, we assess the injury and develop a progressive rehabilitation plan to restore strength, stability and confidence in the knee.
What are Knee Ligament Injuries?
Four major ligaments help provide stability to the knee: the medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).
Ligament injuries occur when the knee is exposed to enough force to stretch or tear one or more of these structures. MCL and LCL injuries commonly occur when the knee is forced sideways, while ACL and PCL injuries are more commonly associated with twisting, sudden changes of direction or significant forces through the knee.
The severity can range from a mild Grade 1 sprain through to a complete Grade 3 tear.
Common Symptoms
Pain on the inside or outside of the knee
Pain following a twisting, sporting or contact injury
Swelling around the knee
Reduced knee movement
Pain with walking or stairs
Difficulty running or changing direction
Feeling that the knee is unstable or giving way
Reduced confidence returning to sport
How We Assess Knee Ligament Injuries
Different ligament injuries can produce similar symptoms, and injuries to the meniscus, cartilage or other structures may occur at the same time.
Assessment may include ligament stress testing, knee movement, swelling, palpation, meniscal testing, lower-limb strength and functional movements such as squatting, stepping and single-leg tasks.
The aim is to identify which structures are likely to be involved, determine the severity of the injury and establish whether conservative rehabilitation is appropriate or further imaging or specialist assessment is required.
How We Treat Knee Ligament Injuries
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Progressive exercise rehabilitation
Quadriceps and lower-limb strengthening
Balance and stability exercises
Activity and load modification
Gradual return to running, changing direction and sport
Shockwave Therapy for Knee Ligament Injuries
Shockwave therapy is not typically used during the acute stages of a knee ligament injury, where appropriate protection, progressive loading and rehabilitation are the main priorities.
In persistent cases, shockwave therapy may be utilised to target local soft tissue structures contributing to ongoing pain or sensitivity around the knee. Where appropriate, it can be used alongside strengthening and rehabilitation as part of a broader treatment plan.
Common Questions
-
Recovery depends on the ligament involved and severity of the injury. Mild sprains may improve within several weeks, while significant ligament tears can require several months of rehabilitation.
-
No. Many ligament injuries can be managed without surgery, particularly isolated MCL injuries. Whether surgery is appropriate for injuries such as an ACL tear depends on factors including instability, associated injuries and the activities or sports you want to return to.
-
The location and mechanism of injury can provide clues, but clinical testing is usually needed to determine which ligament is involved. Imaging may be recommended when a significant ligament injury or injury to other structures is suspected.
-
Return to sport depends on more than how much time has passed. Knee movement, strength, stability and your ability to run, jump, land and change direction should be progressively restored before returning to unrestricted sport.
Has a Knee Injury Stopped You From Training?
If knee pain or stiffness is limiting your walking, exercise or everyday activities, we can assess your current function and develop a treatment and rehabilitation plan to help you stay active.