Symptoms in the hollow of the knee | Symptoms of anterior cruciate ligament rupture

Symptoms in the hollow of the knee

In general, the popliteal fossa belongs to an area of the knee joint, so that lesions on structures of the posterior part of the knee joint can manifest themselves symptomatically in the popliteal fossa. Depending on which cruciate ligament is torn, the location of the pain varies in some cases: in the case of a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament, for example, the pain in the hollow of the knee is very characteristic. The reason for this is the “effusion symptom” of a torn cruciate ligament.

The effusion normally only causes swelling. However, if the effusion is located very far back in the hollow of the knee, as is typical for a torn cruciate ligament, the effusion fluid (blood and lymph) seeps into the hollow of the knee and the lower leg. The drained effusion then provokes a feeling of tension and pressure pain in the hollow of the knee. The sensation of pain is generally localized in all torn cruciate ligaments, primarily in the capsule region and the hollow of the knee. In addition to the pain in the hollow of the knee, the bruise that is responsible for the pain can also be identified there after inspection.

Symptoms of anterior cruciate ligament rupture

The human knee joint has 2 cruciate ligaments on each side, one anterior (ACL) and one posterior cruciate ligament (ACL). These can both tear independently of each other and each can cause symptoms. If the ACL tears, it is also called a “torn anterior cruciate ligament”.The classic symptoms are pain, swelling, effusion and instability.

The latter aspect in particular is important with regard to certain movement restrictions in the injured knee joint. If the tear is located at the front, the lower leg can be pulled forward like a drawer with the thigh fixed. In this case, one speaks of the presence of a “front drawer” in ACL.

Further instability criteria are the inhibited extension movement in the knee and a certain degree of walking insecurity. Moreover, patients always have the feeling of bending away. For this reason, an automatic attempt is made to compensate for the instability by a reflex contraction of the thigh muscles. The pain in ACL is usually located inside the knee and subsides after several days. It is self-evident that it increases and intensifies under stress and requires adequate treatment of the ACL.