Spasm of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles often can make it difficult to assess ACL stability.
In the acute situation, with a painful, swollen joint, the initial examination may be difficult because both the pain and the fluid limit the patient’s ability to cooperate and relax the leg. It is important to remember that a knee ligament injury might be an isolated structure damaged or there may be more than one ligament and other structures in the knee that are hurt. Since there are four ligaments at risk for injury, the examiner may try to test each to determine which one(s) is (are) potentially damaged. 
Most importantly, with knee injury ligamentous, stability is assessed. Areas of tenderness and subtle evidence of knee joint fluid (effusion) are noted. The knee is examined for obvious swelling, bruising, and deformity. Physical examination of the knee usually follows a relatively standard pattern. A third-degree sprain is a completely torn ligament. A first-degree sprain is a ligament that is stretched but with no fibers torn, while a second-degree sprain is a partially torn ligament. The major muscles of the thigh also act as stabilizers: the quadriceps in the front of the leg and the hamstrings in the back.Ī sprain occurs when a ligament is injured and the fibers are either stretched or torn. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) form an X on the inside of the knee joint and prevent the knee from sliding back to front and front to back respectively. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) stabilize the sides of the knee preventing side-to-side buckling. There are four thick bands of tissue, called ligaments, that stabilize the knee and keep its movement in one plane. The knee is a hinge joint, but there is also some rotation that occurs when it bends and straightens. There are a variety of structures that hold the knee joint stable and allow the condyles and plateaus to maintain their anatomic relationship so that the knee can glide easily through its range of motion. The rounded ends of the femur, or condyles, line up with the flat tops of the tibia called the plateaus. The thighbone (femur) and the shinbone (tibia) meet the kneecap (patella) to form the knee joint. The ability to bend at the knee makes activities likewalking, running, jumping, standing, and sitting much easier and more efficient. The purpose of the knee joint is to bend and straighten (flex and extend), allowing the body to change positions.
0 kommentar(er)
