Ligament Tears (ACL, PCL, MCL Injuries)

Ligament Tears (ACL, PCL, MCL Injuries) – Restoring Strength and Stability to the Knee

Overview

The knee is one of the most complex and vital joints in the human body, responsible for supporting your weight, absorbing impact, and allowing movement. Four main ligaments stabilize the knee — the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL), Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL), and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL).

When one of these ligaments is stretched or torn, it can cause pain, swelling, and instability that limit mobility and performance. Ligament injuries are among the most common knee problems in athletes, but they can also occur from falls, car accidents, or sudden twists during daily activities.

At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, patients across Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas receive advanced diagnostic and treatment options for ligament injuries — from conservative therapy to cutting-edge, robotic-assisted reconstruction.

Understanding the Knee Ligaments

Each ligament serves a specific function in stabilizing and supporting knee movement:

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament): Prevents the tibia from sliding forward and provides rotational stability.
PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament): Prevents the tibia from moving backward under the femur.
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament): Stabilizes the inner side of the knee.
LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament): Supports the outer side of the knee.

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Damage to any of these ligaments can impair stability and make the knee feel like it “gives out” during motion.

Causes and Risk Factors

Ligament tears are usually caused by sudden twisting, hyperextension, or direct impact to the knee joint.

Common causes include:

Sports injuries: Rapid direction changes in basketball, soccer, skiing, or football.
Falls or trauma: Sudden blows or landing awkwardly from a jump.
Motor vehicle accidents: Especially common with dashboard injuries causing PCL tears.
Overuse and fatigue: Repetitive strain can weaken ligaments over time.

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Risk Factors include:

Poor conditioning or weak leg muscles
Improper landing technique during sports
Previous ligament injuries
Gender (ACL injuries occur more frequently in women due to anatomy and hormone differences)

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Symptoms

Ligament tears range from mild sprains to complete ruptures. The symptoms depend on which ligament is injured but often include:

Common symptoms:

A “popping” sound or sensation at the time of injury
Immediate swelling and stiffness within hours
Pain when walking, twisting, or bending the knee
Difficulty spreading fingers apart or coordinating small hand movements
Instability or the feeling that the knee will “give out”
Bruising or tenderness along the ligament’s path

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Severe tears can cause significant loss of function, making it difficult to walk or bear weight.

Diagnosis

At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, performs a comprehensive evaluation to determine the type and severity of ligament injury.

Diagnostic process includes:

Medical history: Discussing the mechanism of injury and symptoms.
Physical examination: Stability tests such as the Lachman, anterior drawer, or valgus stress test.

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Imaging:

X-rays: Rule out fractures or bone involvement.
MRI: Identifies partial or complete ligament tears and associated cartilage or meniscus damage.
Ultrasound: Detects real-time soft-tissue swelling or strain.

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Accurate diagnosis is essential for developing the right treatment plan and determining whether surgery is necessary.

Treatment Options at Dr. Burke Orthopedics

Treatment focuses on restoring knee stability, strength, and range of motion — customized to each patient’s injury type, age, and activity level.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Partial ligament sprains or mild tears often heal with conservative care:

Rest and bracing: Limits movement and stabilizes the knee.
Anti-inflammatory medication: Reduces pain and swelling.

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Physical Therapy

Strengthens supporting muscles, especially quadriceps and hamstrings.
Improves balance, coordination, and joint stability.
Uses controlled stretching to restore range of motion.

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PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma injections stimulate tissue regeneration and healing for partial tears.
Lifestyle adjustments: Avoiding high-impact activities until the ligament fully heals.

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Surgical Treatments

Complete ligament tears or unstable knees may require surgical repair or reconstruction.
Dr. Burke offers advanced procedures such as:

Arthroscopic Ligament Reconstruction

Minimally invasive technique using small incisions and a camera-guided scope to repair or replace torn ligaments.
Tendon Graft Reconstruction: Uses tissue from the patient or donor to rebuild the torn ligament.
Robotic-Assisted Knee Surgery: Enhances precision, alignment, and recovery outcomes.

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Reconstructive Surgery

For multi-ligament injuries or complex trauma involving multiple structures.

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Dr. Burke’s expertise in sports medicine and advanced surgical techniques ensures optimal knee stability and long-term joint health.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery depends on the ligament injured and whether surgery was performed.

Typical recovery timelines:

Mild sprains: 6–8 weeks with rest and therapy.
Partial tears: 2–3 months with structured rehabilitation.
Complete surgical reconstruction: 6–9 months for full return to sports or high-level activity.

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Rehabilitation goals:

Restore range of motion and flexibility
Strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and core muscles
Rebuild balance and proprioception (joint awareness)
Prevent future ligament stress through technique training

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At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, rehabilitation is customized for each patient, with progressive therapy milestones to ensure safe recovery.

Long-Term Outlook and Prevention

Most ligament tears heal successfully with appropriate care. Early diagnosis and guided rehabilitation reduce the risk of chronic instability or arthritis.

Long-term considerations:

Returning to activity too early can cause re-injury.
Strength training and flexibility are key for prevention.
Post-surgical patients often return to full performance with proper physical therapy.

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Prevention tips:

Warm up properly before exercise
Strengthen lower-body muscles for balance and stability
Practice safe jumping and landing techniques
Use supportive footwear
Avoid sudden increases in workout intensity

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Preventive conditioning programs can significantly reduce future ligament injuries.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should see an orthopedic specialist if:

You heard a pop or felt a sudden shift in the knee
The knee swells or becomes unstable
Pain persists or limits normal movement
You have trouble walking or bearing weight
The knee “locks” or feels unstable after a prior injury

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Prompt evaluation can prevent long-term complications and restore knee function.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you’ve experienced a sudden knee injury, pop, or instability, expert evaluation is essential to prevent lasting damage.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we provide advanced diagnosis, precision surgical options, and comprehensive rehabilitation to help you regain stability and return to your active lifestyle.

We proudly serve Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, delivering world-class orthopedic care close to home.

Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee ligament repair and sports injuries.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding medical condition or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here. If you are experiencing severe pain, numbness, or loss of function, please contact a medical professional immediately or visit your nearest emergency center.