Cruciate ligament injuries: Everything you need to know

Physiotherapy Waidfuss Wipkingen: Comprehensive care for cruciate ligament injuries

Cruciate ligament injuries are common sports injuries that can have a significant impact on mobility and quality of life. In Wipkingen and Höngg, Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen offers specialized treatment approaches to provide patients with the best possible support. Here you can find out more about the causes, symptoms and treatment options for cruciate ligament injuries and how a targeted Physiotherapy knee can promote your recovery.

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Causes of cruciate ligament injuries

Cruciate ligament injuries are usually caused by sudden changes of direction, abrupt stops or unfortunate landings after a jump. Athletes who play soccer, skiing, basketball or handball are particularly at risk. The injury occurs when the cruciate ligament is stretched excessively, which can cause it to tear.

Cruciate ligament symptoms

Typical symptoms of a cruciate ligament rupture are a hearing loss

The symptoms include a "cracking" sound at the time of the injury, severe pain and rapid swelling of the knee joint. Those affected often feel instability in the knee and have difficulty putting full weight on the knee or moving it.

Diagnosis of cruciate ligament injuries

The diagnosis of a cruciate ligament rupture begins with a thorough medical history and physical examination by a specialist. Tests such as the Lachman test or the pivot shift test are used to check the stability of the knee joint. Imaging procedures such as MRI or ultrasound are often used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment options for cruciate ligament injuries

Conservative treatmentFor less active patients or smaller tears, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient. This includes physiotherapy knee to strengthen the surrounding muscles, improve mobility and stability of the joint.

Surgical treatmentActive athletes and patients with complete cruciate ligament ruptures often benefit from surgical reconstruction of the cruciate ligament. This involves replacing the damaged ligament with the body's own tendon material or synthetic alternatives.

Physiotherapy Waidfuss Wipkingen

Physiotherapy plays a central role in rehabilitation after a cruciate ligament injury. In Wipkingen and Höngg, Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen offers a variety of treatment approaches that are individually tailored to the patient's needs.

Acute phase (inflammatory phase) for knee injuries

Rest is crucial in the first 3-5 days after the injury. Physiotherapists help to reduce swelling and pain through targeted cooling and relief measures.

Build-up phase (proliferation phase) for cruciate ligament ruptures

This phase lasts up to 28 days and is crucial for the long-term recovery of cruciate ligament injuries. Particular attention is paid to early functional treatment to ensure optimal alignment of the collagen fibers. Various exercises are used during this phase:

Mobilization exercisesCreate the basis for good mobility. This includes passive and active movement exercises such as gentle bending and stretching of the knee while lying down.

Muscle strengthening exercisesStrong muscles stabilize the knee. Suitable exercises are, for example:

• Quadriceps tensionTensioning the thigh while sitting or lying down to strengthen the muscles.

• Leg lift in supine positionSlow lifting and lowering of the straight leg while lying down.

Balance and stability exercisesPromote the proprioceptive abilities of the knee:

• One-legged standStand on one leg and keep your balance, with support if necessary.

• Balancing on unstable surfacesUse a balance pad or wobble plate to improve stability.

Coordination exercisesStrengthen movement coordination. Examples are

• Lateral lungesStep to the side and bend your knees to train your lateral muscles.

• Stepper exercises: Climbing up and down on a stepper to promote muscular coordination.

Stretching exercisesRegular stretching of the thigh, calf and hamstring muscles improves flexibility and prevents muscle shortening.

Stabilization phase (modulation phase) for cruciate ligament injuries

This phase, which can last up to 500 days, serves to finally stabilize the knee joint. Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen works on permanently stabilizing the collagen fibres and restoring the knee's full load-bearing capacity. Regular training sessions and check-ups ensure the success of the treatment.

Supplementary therapy methods for cruciate ligament ruptures

Manual therapyPhysiotherapists use manual techniques to mobilize joint movements and relieve pain. This form of treatment helps to improve the mobility of the knee joint and compensate for muscular imbalances.

Trigger point therapy IMTT®: This method can effectively reduce tension and pain. Physiotherapists use manual techniques to treat trigger points and relax the muscles, resulting in improved mobility.

Lymphatic drainageThis technique promotes lymph flow and helps to reduce swelling. Especially in the acute phase after the injury Lymphatic drainage support the healing process and relieve pain.

ElectrotherapyElectrotherapy uses electrical currents to promote muscle contractions, improve blood circulation and achieve pain-relieving effects. This can speed up rehabilitation and increase muscle strength. (You will be loaned a device)

Functional trainingFunctional training aims to train movements that occur frequently in everyday life and during sport. It improves stability and coordination and prepares the knee for everyday and sporting stresses.

HydrotherapyTherapy sessions in the water offer a gentle way to train mobility and strength. The buoyancy in the water reduces the load on the knee, which enables safe and effective rehabilitation. It is important that the scar has healed well.

Knee pain causes and prevention of cruciate ligament injuries

To reduce the risk of cruciate ligament injuries, the experts at Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen recommend preventive measures such as

• Muscle buildingRegular exercises to strengthen the thigh and knee joint muscles.

• Coordination trainingBalance and stability exercises to improve proprioceptive skills.

• Technical trainingCorrect movement patterns and techniques to make abrupt stops and changes of direction safer.

• Protective measuresWearing knee orthoses in high-risk sports.

Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen offers tailor-made injury prevention programs and trains patients in ergonomic movement patterns that help to make everyday activities safer.

Testimonials and specialists

Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen is highly qualified and has extensive experience in the treatment of cruciate ligament injuries. Patients report positive experiences and rapid progress in their rehabilitation. The practice uses the latest techniques and individual treatment plans to achieve the best results.

If you have a cruciate ligament injury or knee injuries and need professional support, don't hesitate to make an appointment at Physiotherapie Waidfuss Wipkingen.