The Pivotal Knee Joint: Current Clinical Assessment, Advanced Imaging Role, and Comparative Efficacy of Rehabilitation vs. Surgical Reconstruction for Cruciate Ligament Injury
Cruciate Ligament Injury, most commonly affecting the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), is a frequent and often disabling knee injury, particularly in pivoting sports, resulting from sudden changes in direction or hyperextension that cause ligament rupture. Diagnosis relies heavily on specific physical examination tests (e.g., Lachman, anterior drawer) that assess knee stability, typically confirmed by MRI imaging to visualize the extent of the ligament tear and any associated meniscal or cartilage damage.
Treatment is highly individualized, balancing the patient’s age, activity level, and goals, with options ranging from comprehensive non-surgical rehabilitation to surgical ACL reconstruction using tendon grafts to restore stability. Recent randomized trials suggest that surgical management offers superior outcomes in terms of knee function and patient satisfaction for non-acute injuries, driving a discussion on shared decision-making with the patient.