It’s Not All about the ACL! What Other Structures Cause Pain.

We hear a lot about the ACL in the knee and how if ruptured it can be a long road to recovery. This is true, however, what about the other “passive” structures in the knee that can cause pain. We will explore the most talked about structures of the knee that can be injured through both acute events or gradually injured overtime. As you can see below, the structure of the knee are complex.

The Meniscus

The meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilage that cushions the knee joint. It acts as a shock absorber and helps to distribute the weight of the body evenly across the knee. The meniscus can be torn or damaged due to sudden twisting or rotating movements. This can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness in the knee joint. The severity of the pain depends on the location and size of the tear.

When the meniscus is torn, it can behave in different ways. In some cases, the torn part may become loose and move around in the joint, potentially causing further damage and pain. In other cases, the torn part may get trapped between the bones, leading to a locking sensation in the knee joint. In such cases, surgery may be required to remove or repair the damaged meniscus.

The Ligaments

The knee has four main ligaments that provide stability to the joint. These are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL). These ligaments can be stretched or torn due to sudden twisting or impact on the knee. This can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint.

When a ligament is torn, it behaves differently depending on the severity of the injury. In mild cases, the ligament may heal on its own with rest and physiotherapy. In severe cases, surgery may be required to reconstruct the ligament using a graft. After surgery, the ligament will gradually heal and strengthen over time with proper rehabilitation.

The Patella

The patella, also known as the kneecap, is a small bone that sits in front of the knee joint. It helps to protect the knee joint and provides leverage for the thigh muscles to extend the knee. The patella can be dislocated due to sudden impact or twisting of the knee. This can cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint.

When the patella is dislocated, it can behave in different ways. In some cases, the patella may pop back into place on its own. In other cases, it may require manual manipulation to be put back into place. In severe cases, surgery may be required to repair or reconstruct the damaged patella.

As you can see the knee is a complex area of the body. This is just the surface of what can cause pain within and around the knee. If you or someone you know has been experiencing pain knee come in for an assessment.