Conservative treatment

The conservative treatment for cruciate ligament rupture is similar to the post-treatment of cruciate ligament plastic surgery. At the beginning, pain and swelling symptoms are treated. Pain in the muscles and tendons due to protective tension can be relieved with heat therapy, soft tissue techniques and friction.

The swelling is improved by lymph drainage or decongestant lymphatic drainage. In addition, the patient should elevate the leg and regulate the swelling himself with the muscle pump. If movement is restricted, mobility is improved by manual therapeutic ventral (= forward) or dorsal (= backward) sliding of the tibia (= shinbone).

This means that the therapist supports the physiological movement of the lower leg in order to improve the extent of movement. The ankle joint and the tibiofibular joint (=joint between the tibia and fibula) should also be treated, as blockages may have occurred due to the injury mechanism. The conservative treatment of a cruciate ligament rupture is mainly performed in patients who have good stability in the knee joint and can muscularly compensate for the instability.

As soon as the knee can be fully loaded, coordination and balance training to improve control in the knee joint begins. Running on uneven surfaces, such as a wobble cushion, wobble board, spinning top, trampoline, etc., is one of the therapy options in the early phase. The patient should roll physiologically and maintain the knee axis.

The development of the correct monopod is also important. Shearing forces are generated by the movement of the arms and the other leg, which the patient should compensate for. It is particularly important to keep the leg axis in order to avoid pain.In the further course of conservative treatment, the exercises can be increased if no pain has occurred.

Lunges, knee bends, active exercises on uneven surfaces, jumping and running exercises are included in the therapy. It is important that no pain occurs and the muscles are not overstrained. The fitter the patient is, the faster he will be able to recover from a torn cruciate ligament. Supporting measures such as electrotherapy, ultrasound, massages, lymph drainage, cold or heat therapy are beneficial.