【Ruptured Cruciate Ligament】What to Do? Check Symptoms and Treatment Methods Immediately

What exactly is the commonly heard term "torn cruciate ligament"? In fact, a cruciate ligament tear is a common sports injury that can occur during activities like playing football, basketball, or even from a simple fall in daily life. Where exactly is the cruciate ligament located? What does it feel like when it tears? How is it treated? This time, 10Life will guide you through the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for a torn cruciate ligament.

Before understanding cruciate ligament tears, let’s first learn about the cruciate ligaments. Within the knee joint, there are two ligaments arranged in a cross pattern: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Together, they maintain the dynamic movement and stability of the knee joint, enabling actions such as standing, walking, running, and jumping. Therefore, if a tear or injury occurs, it may impact daily activities. Moreover, cruciate ligament injuries are often accompanied by damage to other structures, requiring thorough examination.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament

The anterior cruciate ligament connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). Its primary function is to restrict the forward movement of the tibia and provide stability during knee flexion, rotation, or lateral movements.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament

The posterior cruciate ligament is located at the back of the knee and functions oppositely to the anterior cruciate ligament, mainly preventing the tibia from moving backwards. This ligament is less commonly torn due to sports activities and is usually injured as a result of traffic accidents, falls, or severe impacts.

The causes of anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tears vary, and they are explained separately below:

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear

Anterior cruciate ligament tears often occur during sports activities when movements are too intense or exceed the ligament's capacity to withstand force, potentially leading to a tear or rupture. This is commonly seen in sports requiring rapid running, jumping, or sudden stops and turns, such as football, basketball, badminton, or even stepping into a void while hiking, which can cause a strain.
Common injury scenarios:

• Sudden change of direction: Rapidly changing direction or turning, causing excessive stress on the knee in an instant
• Abrupt stop or deceleration: Stopping suddenly while running, significantly increasing the load on the knee
• Unstable landing after a jump: Landing incorrectly, with the knee absorbing excessive impact
• Direct impact: Such as a tackle in football or a grapple in rugby, leading to uneven force on the knee

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear

Posterior cruciate ligament injuries are less common and usually require significant external force to cause a rupture, such as in traffic accidents or when the knee directly impacts the ground during a fall.
Common injury scenarios:

• Traffic accidents: The knee striking a hard object (like a dashboard), causing the shinbone (tibia) to shift backwards
• Falling and kneeling: The front of the knee directly hitting the ground, causing the ligament to be stretched and injured
• High-impact sports: Such as skiing or ice hockey, where the knee sustains a severe impact during high-speed activities
   

To accurately determine whether the cruciate ligament is torn, doctors typically arrange for a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan to clearly observe if the ligament is damaged and to check if the meniscus or other tissues are also injured. Additionally, an X-ray examination may be recommended to assess for fractures or other issues.

In fact, cruciate ligament tears are not uncommon, but with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, full recovery is possible. Treatment methods can mainly be divided into surgical and non-surgical approaches.

Surgical Treatment (Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction)

If the cruciate ligament tear is severe, there are injuries to other tissues (such as the meniscus), or the patient needs to continue participating in sports, doctors generally recommend cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. The procedure involves removing the torn ligament and replacing it with a graft, often using the patient’s own tendon (such as the hamstring tendon or patellar tendon).

However, not everyone requires surgery. If it is only a minor anterior cruciate ligament tear or the patient does not frequently engage in physical activities, the doctor may suggest physiotherapy for observation first. Additionally, the posterior cruciate ligament has a better natural healing ability, and as long as it is not completely torn, surgery is usually not necessary.

Non-Surgical Treatment

If the cruciate ligament tear is minor, doctors typically recommend non-surgical methods. Common non-surgical treatments include:

• Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist will design a set of simple rehabilitation exercises tailored to the patient’s condition, such as leg raises, stretching, and strengthening thigh muscles, to help improve knee stability.
• Medication: If there is swelling or pain, doctors may prescribe painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate discomfort.

Non-surgical treatment carries lower risks, but this approach cannot repair the damaged ligament. If the knee remains unstable afterwards, it may lead to further damage to the meniscus or cartilage, and the doctor may then recommend considering surgery.

Reconstruction surgery for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is currently primarily performed using minimally invasive techniques, requiring only a small incision in the knee, and is conducted under regional or general anaesthesia. After the surgery, patients typically need to stay in the hospital for observation for one night. In the initial post-operative period, crutches can be used to assist with slow walking, though there may be mild soreness in the knee. After about two weeks, reliance on crutches can gradually be reduced, and normal activities can be resumed step by step. However, recovery time varies from person to person; some may require over 6 months, while others might need up to a year. Post-surgery, it is important to follow the doctor’s instructions for regular rehabilitation exercises (such as bending the knee, stretching, and leg lifts), get plenty of rest, and avoid bearing weight or engaging in strenuous exercise.

The cost of cruciate ligament surgery can easily reach tens of thousands of Hong Kong dollars. Without medical insurance coverage, the financial burden can be significant. With Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme (VHIS), the medical expenses can be greatly alleviated, and some plans even cover post-surgery physiotherapy, providing more comprehensive support for recovery. Want to find out which medical insurance plan suits you best? Feel free to consult a 10Life licensed insurance advisor for impartial and professional advice.

How Long Does It Take for a Cruciate Ligament Tear to Heal? When Can I Resume Sports?

Generally, it takes about 6 months from surgery to full recovery, though some individuals may require up to a year to fully regain their previous athletic abilities.

Are There Any Long-Term Effects After a Cruciate Ligament Tear?

If not properly treated, it may lead to long-term knee joint instability and even increase the risk of developing degenerative arthritis. However, with timely and appropriate treatment combined with rehabilitation training, most patients can achieve a good recovery.

Are There Risks Associated with Surgery?

As with other surgical procedures, cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery carries certain risks, such as infection, wound inflammation, and graft rejection complications. However, since it is a minimally invasive procedure, the risks are relatively low. With an experienced surgeon and adherence to rehabilitation guidelines, recovery is generally achievable.

Further Reading
【Meniscus Tear】Understanding Symptoms, Location, Causes, and Treatment Methods for Meniscus Tear
What is the Voluntary Health Insurance Scheme? Understanding the Differences Between VHIS and Medical Insurance

Last updated: 28 April 2025
 

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.