Knee ligamentous issues Flashcards
Which are considered stronger, the cruciate ligaments or the collateral ligaments?
- cruciate
Are the cruciate ligaments intra/extra capsular and/or synivoal?
- they are intracapsular and extra-synovial
What structures is the MCL connected to?
- medial meniscus and the joint capsule
T or F;
The MCL has a poor blood supply, healing slowly.
- F
Has a rich blood supply, healing relatively well
The LCL connects to which structure?
- joins with the biceps femoris muscle to form a conjoined tendon, attaching into the proximal fibular head
Which ligament is the most commonly injured?
- ACL
The ACL becomes taut during ____ and is responsible for the which accessory motion?
- taut during flexion
- responsible for the glide after the knee rolls
The anteromedial bundle (AMB) of the ACL prevents _______ translation in ______, and the posteromedial bundle of the ACL prevents _______ translation in ________
o Anteromedial band (AMB) prevents anterior translation in flexion
o Posteromedial band (PMB) prevents posterior translation in extension
Which ligament resists hyperextension of the knee?
- ACL
The ACL acts as a secondary restraint against which motions?
- varus and valgus
ACL is more likely a ______ injury, compared to teh PCL which is more likely a _______ injury
- ACL more likely non-contact
- PCL more likely contact
The PCL becomes taut during ______ and is responsible for which accessory motion?
- becomes taut in extension; as femoral condyles roll forward, becomes taut and then causes a glide
MCL primarily restricts which motion(s)?
- valgus and lateral rotation
The MCL is most taut in which position?
- full extension
In full extension, the MCL accounts for ___% of the restraining force against valgus. At 25* of flexion, the MCL accounts for ____% of the restraining force agianst valgus.
- 57%
- 78%
What is a weird paradox about the MCL?
- the MCL is most taut in full extension, however is more responsible for stabilizing valgus load in slight flexion. May be taking on greater loading when slightly lax.
LCL primarily restricts which motion(s)?
- varus
- also limits external and internal rotation
The greatest strain on the LCL occurs in which position and with which force?
- full extension with tibial external rotation
What ligament helps limit anterior and internal rotation forces in an ACL deficient knee?
- LCL
Which ligament is the least often injured?
- LCL
T or F:
The knee is the most commonly injured joint
- T
Which ligaments are most often injured?
- ACL has highest rate, followed by MCL
Ligamentous injury is more likely in what demographic?
- younger female athletes (14-18 yo)
- more often in athletics in general
Some studies have shown as high as a ___:___ ratio for ______ (gender) for ligamentous knee injury
10:1, female to male ratio
ACL injuries typically occur in what situations?
- knee in slight flexion with tibial rotation in a WB position
- pivoting, landing, changing direction
What is the unhappy triad?
- ACL, MCL, medial meniscal injury
A dashboard injury describes what ligamentous injury?
- PCL
Hemarthrosis and immediate joint effusion are hallmark signs of what knee injury?
- more common with ACL and PCL injury
Describe execution of the DIAL test and interpretation.
- Prone w/ knees at 90* flx
- Both feet up, ER both tibias at 90* and 30*
- Looking for significant asymmetries in laxity
- If symmetrical in 90* but asymmetrical in 30*, likely that the PCL is intact, but the posterolateral corner may be deficient
What tests are appropriate to assess anterior/posterior stability?
- Lachman’s (reverse Lachman’s)
- Anterior drawer (posterior drawer)
- Pivot shift (reverse pivot shift)
What type of imaging is most sensitive to rule out ligamentous involvement?
- MRI
- radiographs should be first
T or F;
It is possible for a professional level athlete to return to competitive level performance without surgical management for an ACL tear.
- T
- requires a significant focus on motor control/strength
What are the two primary focuses for ACL and PCL rehab?
- motor control
- strength of the LE
What muscles provide anterior tibial shear?
o Quads through patellar tendon o Gastroc (proximal tendon wraps posterior tibia)
What muscles provide posterior tibial shear?
o Hamstrings (increases as knee flexion increases) o Soleus (when in closed chain)
What is a consideration for open-chain therex after ACL injury?
- open-chain quad exercise is thought to put more anterior shear force on the tibia, especially in full extension
What are 4 examples of things that may put significant strain on an ACL?
- isometric quad contraction at 15* flx
- squatting
- Lachmans
- active flx/ext w/ weighted boot
What are 2 examples of exercises that may minimize ACL strain?
- isometric quad contraction at 30 to 90* flx
- simultaneous quad/hamstring contraction at 60-90*
What muscle shares the role of the PCL?
- popliteus
What muscle will reduce strain on the PCL between which range? (not the popliteus)
- quads, between 20-60*
When does the gastroc place the greatest strain on the PCL?
- when the knee is flexed over 40*
What are the 2 principles for MCL injury management?
- manage pain and inflammation initially (RICE)
- progressively increase controlled stress, with less stress in full extension
What ROM should you be more conservative with when adding stress during MCL rehab?
- less stress in full extension
How long can remodeling take with an MCL injury?
- some studies show up to a year
What are the 2 principles for LCL injury management?
- manage pain and inflammation initially (RICE)
- progressively increase controlled stress, with less stress in full extension
- same as MCL
What is the expected outcome for LCL/MCL injury with rehab?
- usually responds well to conservative care
What are the flexor muscles of the knee? (8)
o Semimembranosus o Semitendinosus o Biceps femoris (long and short heads) o Gracilis o Sartorius o Popliteus o Soleus o Gastroc
What are the extensor muscles of the knee? (4)
o Quadratus femoris
o Vastus lateralis
o Vastus intermedius
o Vastus medialis
What two muscles attach to the patella via the patellar retinaculum?
- vastus lateralis
- vastus medialis
What muscles limit anterior translation of the knee?
o TFL via the ITB
o Soleus (only in WB)
o Glute max (only in WB)
What muscles limit posterior translation of the knee?
o Quadriceps
o Popliteus
o Medial and lateral heads of the gastroc
What muscles limit valgus stress at the knee?
o Pes anserinus
o Semimembranosus
o Medial head of gastroc