Wednesday, in "Without appointment", doctor Jimmy Mohamed responded to a listener who wondered about the consequences of an injury well known to high level athletes: the rupture of the cruciate ligaments.
It is one of the injuries most feared by top athletes like footballers.
Very painful, the rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the knee can move away from the fields or training tracks for many months.
But it does not only concern athletes.
What does this injury consist of?
We have two cruciate ligaments: the anterior and the posterior.
They ensure the stability of the knee.
One goes in front, the other goes behind.
The two ligaments cross in the middle to ensure that your knee remains stable and to avoid twisting movements.
When we do the cruciate ligaments, it means that one of the two is ruptured, torn, and will cause instability of the knee if there is no treatment.
Does it only concern athletes?
No.
Cruciate ligament rupture is for example possible in certain traffic accidents, with what is called "dashboard syndrome".
You are sitting down, hitting a car, and your bent knee will translate back and forth and tear the posterior cruciate ligament.
Who are most affected?
Those most affected by this injury, however, are still people doing contact or pivot sports: handball players, footballers, and those who play combat sports.
Some people, especially women, are also more predisposed to ruptures, since they have a little different body types and muscle groups that work a little less well.
Others will have a little asymmetric muscle strengthening, like some athletes who will strengthen certain areas by neglecting others, leaving the knee a little more fragile.
What treatment?
This injury is very painful, with intense and immediate pain.
You can no longer put your foot on the ground.
The knee is unstable, swelling, with an effusion of fluid, and you are forced to consult.
Immobilization is then necessary.
If you are not a top athlete, you don't need to have an operation because the ligament will eventually heal.
On the other hand, you have to do physiotherapy, since you will have muscle loss.
Afterwards, you can resume a physical activity other than a pivotal sport, otherwise, there, you will have to undergo surgery.