[Click! Health] Increasing Outdoor Activities in Spring... "Beware of Cruciate Ligament Tears"

There is an injury that increases as physical activity rises in spring. It is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The cruciate ligaments inside the knee consist of two ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament, which cross each other in a cross (十) shape. They prevent the tibia, located on the inside of the calf, from moving excessively forward and backward and twisting.

Anterior cruciate ligament tear. [Image source=Getty Images]

Although it is commonly perceived as a condition that mainly occurs in athletes, ACL tears can also happen during daily life when strong impact or pressure is applied to the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament tears occur during movements such as changing direction in soccer or tennis, landing after a jump, or sudden rotation that causes the knee to bend. Posterior cruciate ligament tears can occur from trauma such as falling off a bicycle or traffic accidents.

Usually, the moment the cruciate ligament tears is accompanied by a popping sound and severe pain, allowing patients to seek medical attention relatively quickly for proper diagnosis and treatment. However, some people think "it will heal if I rest," and after 3 to 4 days the swelling subsides, and after about a month the pain decreases, leading to a lack of accurate diagnosis. This can later cause knee swelling and joint pain, making daily life uncomfortable, and may lead to secondary conditions such as meniscus tears or arthritis.

Professor Sanghak Lee, Department of Orthopedics, Kyung Hee University Hospital at Gangdong.

Patients with cruciate ligament tears should choose an appropriate treatment method considering their age, occupation, and activity level. Although surgery is commonly thought to be necessary, conservative treatment can yield good results if instability is minimal, there are no accompanying injuries, and the patient is less active or older. However, if pain persists or worsens during conservative treatment, if the tear is extensive, or if the patient has a physically demanding job or is younger, ligament reconstruction surgery should be considered.

Cruciate ligament tears do not end with surgery. Rehabilitation must begin immediately after injury under expert guidance for a quick recovery. If crutches or braces are used for a long time after injury without muscle-strengthening exercises, recovery takes much longer, so active muscle strengthening exercises should be combined regardless of surgery. After surgery, braces should be worn to protect the ligament and crutches used. Rehabilitation exercises to improve joint mobility and muscle strength are essential. Professor Sanghak Lee of the Department of Orthopedics at Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital explained, "Excessive exercise can cause recurrence at the surgical site, so exercise should be done under the prescription and guidance of experts."

① Sufficient stretching before and after exercise
② Adjust exercise intensity according to your physical fitness (avoid excessive exercise)
③ Learn exercises to prevent cruciate ligament injuries

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.