Knee Ligaments Review
- Ottawa knee rules are less sensitive in children; use Pittsburgh rules to determine whether or not to obtain radiographs
- MRI is 95% and 90% accurate in identifying ACL tears and meniscal injuries, respectively
- Pain with varus or valgus stress is more suggestive of ligament damage than a meniscus tear
- The MCL is the primary static stabilizer against valgus stress at the knee
- The LCL is the primary static stabilizer against varus stress at the knee
- The ACL is the primary static stabilizer of the knee against anterior translation of the tibia with respect to the femur
- The PCL is the primary static stabilizer of the knee against posterior translation of the tibia with respect to the femur
- WB, NWB = weight bearing or non weight bearing
- Ligament injuries are graded as follows:
- Grade 1: stretching of the ligament with no detectable instability
- Grade 2: further stretching of the ligament with detectable instability, but with the fibers in continuity
- Grade 3: complete disruption of the ligament.