What is a Knee tendon or ligament injury?

Knee tendon and ligament injuries involve damage to the tissues that connect muscles to bones (tendons) or bones to other bones (ligaments) within the knee joint. These injuries often result from acute trauma, such as a sudden twist, impact, or overextension during physical activity, and can range from mild strains to complete tears.

Key Procedures

Key Specialists

  • Professor Adrian Wilson

Types

Causes

  • Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee): Overuse, particularly in activities involving jumping or sudden changes in direction.
  • Quadriceps Tendonitis: Overuse or repetitive stress, often seen in athletes who engage in running or heavy lifting.
  • Patellar Tendon Rupture: Wear and tear through over-using the knee. This in turn leads to tendon weakness and, in some cases, tiny tears in the tendon. It's more common in people who run or jump, hence it being known as 'jumper's knee'.
  • Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS): Overuse, particularly in long-distance runners or cyclists, where the IT band becomes tight and rubs against the knee joint.
  • Types of Knee Ligament Injuries:
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: Sudden stops, changes in direction, or awkward landings from a jump, often seen in sports like football, soccer, and basketball.
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear: Direct blow to the front of the knee, such as in a car accident or contact sports, causing the tibia to be pushed backward.
  • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Tear: A direct blow to the outer side of the knee, which forces the knee inward, commonly occurring in contact sports.
  • Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) Tear: A direct blow to the inner side of the knee, causing it to be forced outward, less common but can occur in sports or accidents.
  • Meniscus Tear: Can occur from twisting or turning the knee quickly, often while the foot is planted and the knee is bent. Common in sports like football, basketball, and tennis. This can be a small tear or a more extensive, complex tear involving the entire meniscus.

Symptoms

Treatments