Knee Ligament Tear
Your knee has four ligaments, tough fibrous bands of tissue used to stabilize this vital joint. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the most commonly injured ligament, connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and is often injured during sports such as skiing, running, basketball, and football. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) also links the thigh bone to the shin bone but is not as often injured, except for sudden impact injuries such as in a car accident or a hard tackle.
The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) connects the thigh bone to the fibula, the smaller bone on the outer side of the knee. Sports injuries, recreational activity or direct blows to the knee compromise this ligament, though rarely. And last, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) connects the thigh bone and the shin bone on the inside of the knee. MCL tears typically occur in contact sports such as football and hockey, again from a direct blow to the knee.
Knee Ligament Tear NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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Your Midtown Manhattan sports medicine doctor is aware of the potential that these knee injuries have on your sports career and lifestyle. While he can provide effective treatment, it's vital that you seek ACL tear treatment or treatment for PCL tear or MCL tear treatment as soon as possible to prevent further complications.
Symptoms of ACL Tears and Other Knee Injuries
Because many of these injuries are acute, the knee pain associated with a knee ligament tear can be severe and sudden. There's often a loud pop or snap at the time of the injury, indicating the ligament tear. Swelling occurs within 24 hours, and you may notice looseness in the joint.
As the severity of the injury increases, you're less likely to be able to put weight on the knee without pain. Understanding which ligament is compromised gives your doctor the best clues for proper treatment for MCL tear, ACL tear treatment or PCL tear treatment. A diagnosis of a PCL tear, ACL tear or MCL tear by your NYC sports medicine doctor requires:
- A physical exam to test range of motion, pain, nerve sensitivity, pulse points and swelling
- Use of a needle to drain the knee if it's swollen with blood
- Imaging tests, such as an x-ray, MRI or CT scan
Ready to find relief from a knee ligament tear?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Treatment for MCL Tears and PCL Tears
Most knee injuries, including those that need treatment for ACL tears, resolve with the proper home and office therapies. Your pain specialist most likely recommends some combination of:
- Rest and moderated activity
- Use of ice for 20 minutes every three to four hours
- Compression with an elastic bandage, straps or sleeve
- Elevating your knee on a pillow when sitting or lying down
- Wearing a knee brace
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Prescription medication
- Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
- Physical therapy
- Use of crutches
ACL Tear Treatment or PCL Tear Treatment
While most LCL or MCL tears don't require surgery, many ACL tears and PCL tears that are completely torn or stretched beyond the limits do. If you're young, athletic and looking to return to an active sport or recreational activity, surgery may be your only option. It presents a complicated and lengthy recovery, however, so many older or less active adults choose to incorporate a custom-made brace into their active or daily routine rather than undergo the rigors of surgery.
If ligament surgery is needed, your Manhattan doctor stitches the ligament back together or reattaches it to the bone with large stitches, bone staples, metal screws or a device called a suture anchor. With the proper healing time and physical therapy regimen, you can expect to regain your previous level of performance after treatment for ACL tear.
Surgery Expectations and Recovery after MCL Tear Treatment
Recovering from treatment for MCL tear that requires surgery can take anywhere from eight weeks for most individuals to three or five months for athletes. You should only return to your previous level of physical activity when:
You can fully bend and straighten your knee without pain.
Your knee doesn't hurt when you walk, sprint, jog or jump.
Your knee is no longer swollen.
Your injured knee is as strong as the uninjured knee.
As hard as it may seem, patience is key to avoiding permanent injury or chronic problems. Check with your doctor if you experience fever, redness, swelling, increased pain around the incision site or bleeding or other drainage from the incision site.
Keeping your muscles strong warming up properly, maintaining flexibility and making changes to your workout slowly help you prevent injury or further compromises to your knee ligaments. Your sports medicine and pain management doctor customizes MCL tear treatment or other ligament treatment plans to get you back on your feet pain free.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Knee Ligament Tear Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to knee ligament tears is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
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What Our Knee Ligament Tear Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."