Inner ligament stretch at the knee
definition
The Inner band on the knee, also inner collateral ligament called, starts at the lower thigh bone and creates a connection to the upper shin. The tape has an important function in the Stability assurance of the knee joint. When stretched, the tape is stretched beyond normal proportions. This is a common knee injury that occurs primarily while exercising. In contrast to the ligament tear, the inner ligament remains intact.
For more information, see: Ligament stretch in the knee
Symptoms
After stretching the inner ligament of the knee, patients often feel one severe dull pain. This can either be localized on the spot or spread over the entire knee.
The pain also causes one Movement impairment in the knee joint.
Frequently, a vision also forms in the area of the inner ligament effusionwhich is not bloody compared to the ligament tear. If the band is overstretched, its function is retained. In the event of a ligament tear or tear, the ligament can no longer fulfill its function, which is why the knee joint is restricted in its function. Thus, if the band is stretched, that is Walking is often still possible with pain, but if there is a crack, the injured leg can no longer be loaded.
Both the swelling and the pain should go away by themselves after a few weeks if the inner ligament is stretched. If this is not the case, a doctor should be consulted to rule out a ligament tear. In case of doubt, the doctor should be consulted quickly in order to make a reliable diagnosis and to avoid complications and further damage.
See also: Torn knee ligament
Pain when the inner ligament is stretched
An inner ligament stretch is expressed by a Swelling without a hematoma and mild to moderate pain. The pain can be limited to the inside of the knee joint, but it can also spread to the entire knee and parts of the upper and lower leg. The pain when the ligament is stretched disappears after a few days. When exercising, the pain can still occur a few weeks after the injury.
Conventional ones are suitable for combating pain Pain relievers like Aspirin® and Ibuprofen. In addition, a Cooling of the knee with ice and the Put your knee up lead to pain relief. In the case of very severe pain that persists for several weeks despite appropriate medication and other measures, a doctor should be consulted to rule out worse injuries.
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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
Various television programs and print media report regularly about my work. On HR television you can see me every 6 weeks live on "Hallo Hessen".
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The knee joint is one of the joints with the greatest stress.
Therefore, the treatment of the knee joint (e.g. meniscus tear, cartilage damage, cruciate ligament damage, runner's knee, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I treat a wide variety of knee diseases in a conservative way.
The aim of any treatment is treatment without surgery.
Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.
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causes
The inner ligament is often stretched with heavy and sudden loads, abrupt stopping, rapid starting, for example during sports.
Inner ligament stretches often occur when the foot is fixed and the knee is rotated, such as in soccer. But skiing and handball are also high-risk sports due to the heavy use.
Violence on the outstretched knee can also lead to injuries - for example, a kick on the leg while playing football.
However, ligament stretching can also occur during everyday activities - carelessness, slipping on a wet floor or slipping of the foot on an edge can be decisive.
Inner ligament stretch in soccer
The inner ligament stretch at the knee is one of the most common sports injuries at Soccer. If the patient acts incorrectly or if we are injured in an unfavorable manner by a fellow player or opponent, the result may be an internal ligament stretch.
The stretch is caused by the fact that the lower leg is stretching too far outwards compared to the thigh. This can happen, for example, when you kick your lower leg while scratching. Medical professionals refer to this type of injury as one Varus stress. If the lower leg is very overstretched in a short period of time, the ligament stretch can turn into a ligament tear. Often times, only a few centimeters decide the degree of injury at this point. One can recognize a crack by a hematoma. On the other hand, the lower leg can be folded to the side with the hand unusually strong.
After a ligament stretch, the patient should no football for at least 4 weeks play play. This time is important to completely heal the inner ligament stretch and to avoid serious consequential injuries. If the pain and swelling last longer than 4-6 weeks, a doctor should be consulted who should then rule out more serious injuries.
therapy
With an inner ligament stretch at the knee, there is usually always a conservative therapy carried out. Splints or supportive bandages are often used here to stabilize the knee.
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the knee should also spared, so relieved, become. For example, by putting the knee up. Furthermore, the pain should be treated with pain relievers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.
Physiotherapy can be started after about 4 weeks of rest. This can be prescribed by both an orthopedic surgeon and a family doctor. A splint should be worn for about 6 weeks or until the inner ligament has healed completely. Physiotherapy can still be started slowly from the 4th week. Exercise-dependent training and strengthening the knee joint can usually be started from the 6th week.
Therapy with a bandage
After an inner ligament stretch on the knee, the attending physician can prescribe a knee brace. This is however not mandatory and is understood as an additional service.
The patient should then wear the bandage for a few days. It is important to ensure that the patient wears the bandage correctly and not longer than 8 hours a day.
The bandage can be stretched lengthways, but not across. This prevents varus malalignment while normal gait is still possible. So the bandage offers one Securing the stability of the knee joint until the inner band is fully resilient again.
However, the bandage should only be used as a Interim solution be understood, as the body quickly gets used to the additional support and can become dependent on it after a long period of time. Accompanying physiotherapy is therefore advisable to strengthen the supporting apparatus and make the knee functional again as quickly as possible.
For more information, see: Knee brace
Therapy with tape
A tape is a kind of elastic adhesive tape, which is used in sports medicine to additionally stabilize joints.
The tape should be attached by an orthopedic surgeon, family doctor or physiotherapist, but the patient can also apply it himself. However, this is only advisable if you have sufficient experience in handling tapes, as sticking in the wrong position and using too much or too little tape can have the opposite effect on the knee joint. If in doubt, you should always have a specialist explain it to you.
In the case of the knee, make sure that the tape is not affixed lengthways over the kneecap. It is best to apply two adhesive strips both on the inside and outside of the knee. The tape should span the entire knee joint. A transverse tape can also be stuck under the kneecap for additional stability. It is important to say, however, that that Taping alone is not a full therapy for an internal ligament injury represents. The means of choice is often a brace for stabilization. The tape is only an additional aid to relieve the tape after damage.
For more information, see: Tap your knees
forecast
In general, it is not possible to give an exact time indication of the duration of the injury. This is due, for example, to the fact that a stretch can be sometimes stronger and sometimes weaker.
There are also strong individual differences in the healing phase, for example due to the different physical conditions of those affected. For example, a healthy 20-year-old will recover from an inner ligament stretch faster than a sick 80-year-old. As a rule of thumb, it takes an inner ligament stretch to heal between 4 and 6 weeks.
At the latest if the symptoms persist for a long time, a doctor should be consulted in order to rule out a more serious injury, such as a ligament tear or torn ligament.
How long should you pause the sport?
After an inner ligament stretch, the knee should not heavily loaded for about 6 weeks become. This time should be sufficient for regeneration. Of course there are individual differences. Some are fit again after 4 weeks after a stretch, others need 8 weeks. Therefore you should listen to your body and not do sports as long as the movements cause knee pain.
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to more serious injuries such as a ligament tear. Training the upper body, for example in the fitness studio, can, however, be carried out without hesitation. Likewise is one physical therapy a suitable means to get back on your feet more quickly. If the pain and swelling in the knee have still not subsided after 6 weeks despite a break in sports, a doctor should be consulted to rule out serious injuries.
How long will I be on sick leave?
An inner ligament stretch is not necessarily a reason for a sick leave. In professions where the patient sits a lot and does not put any strain on the knee, such as in the office, there is no need to take sick leave.
In the case of very severe pain, a few days are sufficient in this case until the pain has subsided somewhat. If a patient has to walk or stand a lot during working hours, a sick leave of 1-2 weeks is justified.
In this situation, too, you should wait until the patient can go about their work as pain-free as possible. Possible occupational groups would be employees in sales or couriers. In the case of professional athletes, a longer sick leave should be considered, as severe secondary injuries can occur if the inner ligament of the knee is stressed too early. The stretch can take up to 8 weeks to heal. As long as the athlete should spare his knee.
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