What is the difference between a cruciate ligament sprain and a cruciate ligament tear, What are their symptoms, how to distinguish between them, and how to treat them effectively, We will learn about the difference between each in the rest of the article.
The cruciate ligament is one of the ligaments made up of tissues in the leg. It connects the leg to the thigh at the knee joint.
The importance of the cruciate ligament lies in its role as the primary control of knee and foot movement. Therefore, any tear or rupture can lead to severe pain.
What is a cruciate ligament sprain
A cruciate ligament tear is a common knee injury that often occurs in sports. It is characterized by a popping sound at the time of injury, pain, rapid swelling, and loss of movement of the knee.
What is a cruciate ligament tear
A cruciate ligament tear is an injury to one of the major ligaments in the knee, meaning the ligament is completely torn and loses its function. It occurs as a result of sudden movements, such as changing direction or landing quickly.
Symptoms of a Sprained and Torn ACL
Common symptoms of a sprained cruciate ligament include:
- A popping sound at the time of injury.
- Severe pain in the knee.
- Difficulty moving or straightening the knee.
- A feeling of instability in the knee, especially when bearing weight.
- Bruising and warmth around the knee.
Symptoms of a torn cruciate ligament include:
- Bruising around the knee.
- A popping sound at the time of injury.
- Swelling in the knee develops within hours.
- Severe pain in the knee.
- A feeling of instability in the knee.
- Difficulty moving the knee.
- Difficulty bearing weight on the knee.
Types of ACLs
There are two main types of cruciate ligaments:
- The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), located in the middle of the knee, prevents the tibia from moving forward.
- The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), located in the middle of the knee, allows the tibia to move backward and prevents it from moving backward.
What are the causes of a sprained cruciate ligament
A common cause of a cruciate ligament sprain is sudden movements, such as a sudden stop or change of direction while running quickly. This is a common condition among athletes.
It can also occur as a result of landing incorrectly after a jump or a direct collision with the knee, especially in soccer players. It can also occur as a result of car accidents and falls.
Causes of a torn cruciate ligament
Causes of a torn cruciate ligament include:
- A sudden twist in the knee joint.
- Weakness in the muscles surrounding the knee.
- Sports movements that involve sudden stops and rapid changes of direction.
- Landing incorrectly after a jump can cause a tear.
- Direct collisions, such as being involved in a car accident or falling directly onto the knee.
- When the knees turn inward during a squat, for example.
What is the difference between a sprain and a torn cruciate ligament
The main difference is that a tear means partial damage to the cruciate ligament fibers, while a tear means the ligament is completely detached and loses its function. Treatment for a tear is usually physical therapy, while a tear requires surgery to reconstruct the ligament.
How is a torn cruciate ligament treated
In cases of complete rupture of the cruciate ligament (ACL), the treating physician may resort to arthroscopic surgery through:
- Ligament reconstruction, where the torn cruciate ligament is replaced with a tissue graft taken from elsewhere in the patient's body or using a synthetic graft.
- Arthroscopic surgery, where the surgery is performed through small incisions in the skin, allowing the insertion of a camera and precise surgical instruments, minimizing scarring.
- Post-operative physical therapy is an essential part of the recovery process to restore movement to the knee.
Diagnosis of ACL Sprain
Methods for diagnosing ACL sprains include:
- X-rays to rule out a bone fracture.
- MRI to take images of the hard and soft tissues in the body.
- Ultrasound to visualize internal structures or to check for injuries to the ligaments and muscles of the knee.
Home remedies for treating ACL sprains and ruptures
Treatment for ACL sprains depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment methods include:
- Rest, avoiding activities that put stress on the knee.
- Knee braces to help stabilize the knee and reduce movement.
- Physical therapy to strengthen the leg and thigh muscles to improve mobility.
- Apply cold compresses to the knee for 20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain.
- Reduce walking or standing on the injured leg.
- Wrap a compression bandage around the knee to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the injured leg above heart level to reduce swelling.
- Take painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by your doctor.
ACL Tear Treatment Duration
The duration varies depending on the severity of the injury, the patient's lifestyle, and their adherence to the physical therapy plan. Typically, the treatment duration for a cruciate ligament tear ranges from 6 to 12 months.
Summary of the Difference Between a Sprain and a Cruciate Ligament Tear
The main difference between a sprain and a cruciate ligament tear lies in the severity of the injury. A cruciate ligament sprain means a partial injury to the cruciate ligament fibers, and treatment for this depends on physical therapy.
A cruciate ligament tear, on the other hand, means the ligament is completely torn and loses its function. Treatment requires surgery to reconstruct the ligament.