Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction in Houston, TX
Ligaments are the fibrous tissue bands connecting the bones in the joint and stabilizing the joint. The knee has four major ligaments – the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, lateral collateral ligament, and medial collateral ligament. There is also a “fifth ligament” of the knee which is the posterior lateral corner, which is a complex of multiple small ligaments and muscles.
A multi-ligament knee injury involves injury to two or more ligaments of the knee. These injuries are usually high energy in nature – meaning motor vehicle accidents are most common, but we do see these types of injuries in skiing and football injuries at the higher levels. The injury could indicate a knee dislocation that can cause injuries to the nerves and blood vessels requiring specialized care.
A knee with multiple ligaments damaged requires special care. Some of these ligaments can be repaired if they are addressed early enough – within 3 weeks. This is especially crucial for the posterior lateral corner which is often misdiagnosed or neglected with bad results. A multi-ligament knee will often require serial surgeries for repair of certain structures and then reconstruction of other ligaments.
Schedule An Appointment
Surgery
During the surgery, ligaments are reconstructed using a graft taken from the patient, or donor tissue (allograft). Surgical reconstruction is usually performed arthroscopically. Tunnels are created in the thigh and tibia bone using a small drill to allow the grafts to be placed into the knee and to replace the torn ligaments. After the grafts are placed, screws, washers, and other fixation devices are used to secure the grafts and hold the ligament in place until healing takes place. After multi-ligament knee reconstruction, crutches may be required for 6 to 8 weeks.
Significance of multi-ligament knee reconstruction
Early treatment of multi-ligament injuries allows satisfactory repair or reconstruction of the ligaments resulting in several advantages:
- Improved function
- Early rehabilitation and return to sports
- Decreases knee joint instability
- Slows rapid progression to arthritis
Frequently Asked Question
What is a multi ligament knee injury?
A multi ligament knee injury occurs when two or more ligaments in the knee are torn or damaged. The main stabilizing ligaments include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
What causes this type of injury?
These injuries are usually caused by high-energy trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident, severe sports impact (e.g., football or skiing), or knee dislocation.
How serious is a multi ligament injury?
Multi ligament injuries are considered severe and complex because they affect knee stability, may involve nearby nerves and blood vessels, and often require specialized treatment.
What symptoms should I expect?
Typical symptoms include severe pain, swelling, instability or a feeling that the knee is loose or “giving way,” and difficulty bearing weight. There may also be bruising or numbness if surrounding structures are affected.
How long is recovery after surgery?
Recovery can be prolonged and varies based on injury severity, but patients often use crutches for 6–8 weeks and participate in structured rehabilitation to regain strength, motion, and function.
Dr Gombera, MD