How Chiropractors Treat Ligament Tears of the Knee

Medical illustration of a knee having a ligament tear



All seemed well with your morning jog until you encountered an oncoming car or unexpected pothole in the road. In your efforts to stop suddenly and change direction, you heard an ominous popping noise and experienced the other unpleasant symptoms associated with a torn knee ligament. This type of injury occurs commonly among active individuals who ask a bit too much from their knees. Fortunately, the right combination of treatment methods, including chiropractic care, can help you get your knee back into good working order again. Take a look at what this kind of injury involves and how chiropractors treat ligament tears of the knee.

Types of Knee Ligament Tears

The human knee contains several ligaments which connect the bones of the knee while still allowing a certain degree of flexibility within the joint. Any of these ligaments can suffer from torn fibers when placed under extreme, unnatural stress. This stress may occur all at once as an acute injury, or it may damage the ligament over time through repetitive strain. Common knee ligament tears include:

  • Medical Illustration of a knee ligament tearAnterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear - Damage to this ligament, which control's the shin bone forward motion, occurs when people suddenly stop running or change direction while bearing weight on the knee.

  • Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear - The PCL, which controls the shin bone's backward motion, can sustain damage in a direct impact.

  • Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear - This injury may occur from a blow to the knee's outer surface.

  • Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear - A blow to the inner surface of the knee can tear this ligament.

No matter which knee ligament you tear, the damage can prove quite debilitating. Symptoms of a torn knee ligament include pain, swelling, and joint instability that make weight bearing impossible or inadvisable.

How Chiropractors Provide Treatment

Treatment for a torn knee ligament depends on the severity of the tear, with the most serious ruptures requiring surgical reattachment of the ligament. However, many ligament tears respond well to conservative treatment measures. Chiropractors can apply gentle, precise force to joint components, bringing them back into their optimal alignment so the knee can heal properly. These adjustments can also ensure that the nervous system relays signals to the injured knee correctly as part of the healing process.Chiropractor is treating an old man who suffers from knee ligament tear

Chiropractors provide more than just joint alignment for a torn knee ligament. Your chiropractic treatment plan may also include physiotherapy techniques and corrective exercises to rehabilitate the tissues, building strength while also restoring the normal range of motion to the knee. Even if you must undergo knee surgery, these rehabilitative treatments can greatly speed your recovery and minimize your risk for residual pain, stiffness, and internal scar tissue formation.

In addition to helping you recuperate more efficiently and completely from a knee ligament tear, chiropractic care might help you avoid future such injuries. If an off-kilter posture or musculoskeletal alignment error places undue stress on your knee ligaments, spinal adjustments to correct these imbalances can allow your knees to work more normally and with less strain. A routine of periodic spinal evaluations and maintenance adjustments could therefore help you keep your knees injury free going forward.

Get Treatment for Your Torn Knee Ligament in Kenosha

Jeranek Family Chiropractic has the skills and expertise to help you cope with a torn knee ligament in Kenosha and help you maintain better overall musculoskeletal wellness. 

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Monday
9:00 am - 11:00 am 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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9:00 am - 11:00 am 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm
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