WHAT IS IT?
Located in the middle of the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament joins the inner posterior part of the external femoral condyle to the anterior inter-condyle region of the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament impedes the displacement of the tibia in relation to the femur, and allows the correct rotation of the knee.
Injuries to this ligament consist in excessive stretching or torsion which lead to its partial or complete rupture.
CAUSES
Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can be caused by traumas to the sides of the knee by over-stretching, or after frequent abrupt turns and stops in sports like football, basketball and skiing.
SYMPTOMS
The main symptoms are a crunching sensation at the moment of injury, along with inflammation, pain, and a feeling of instability in the knee. This feeling can disappear over time, but reappears on going back to the activities that imply “turns” or episodes of torsion in the knee.
TREATMENT
Conservative treatment in patients with low functional demand:
In cases of rupture with instability, surgery will be necessary. Otherwise, the joint will behave like an eccentric structure, degenerating over time into arthrosis and impeding the practice of sports.
The Arthroscopic Surgery Unit, through its Biological Therapy Unit is a pioneer in the integral application of PRGF®-Endoret® in the anterior cruciate ligament recovery process.
The anterior cruciate ligament and PRGF®-Endoret®
Below are the basic principles for the reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament through biological therapy using PRGF®-Endoret®: