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Cruciate Ligament Injury

A cruciate ligament injury occurs when one of the stabilizing ligaments in the knee is stretched or torn, often due to severe twisting or trauma.

MRI Knee

MRI Knee

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

4 295 kr

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Quick version

What is a Cruciate Ligament Injury?

Inside the knee joint, there are two strong bands that cross each other: the anterior and the posterior cruciate ligament. These function as the backbone of the knee's stability and prevent the lower leg from sliding abnormally in relation to the thigh bone. A cruciate ligament injury means that one of these bands has been stretched or torn completely. Cruciate ligament injuries can affect anyone, but are most common in:

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL): By far the most common injury, often occurring during twisting movements.
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL): Less common, often caused by powerful force to the lower leg.
[Image of anterior and posterior cruciate ligament anatomy]

Common Symptoms of a Cruciate Ligament Injury

How a cruciate ligament injury feels varies depending on whether it is a total rupture or a minor partial tear. Here are common symptoms:

Symptoms of an Acute Injury

  • A loud pop or a "popping" sound inside the knee at the moment of injury
  • Immediate and intense pain that makes it difficult to put weight on the leg
  • Rapid swelling of the knee (often within just a few hours)
  • A feeling that the knee "gives way" or feels unstable

Symptoms After the Acute Phase

  • Recurring instability during changes of direction or on uneven surfaces
  • Difficulty trusting the knee in everyday life
  • Diffuse aching and stiffness after physical exertion
  • Reduced muscle mass in the thigh due to inactivity

Why Do Cruciate Ligament Injuries Occur?

A cruciate ligament injury usually occurs during heavy strain where the knee is forced in an unnatural direction. Causes can include:

  • Powerful twisting: The foot gets stuck in the surface while the body rotates.
  • Sudden stops and changes of direction: Common in sports like football, floorball, and handball.
  • Landings: An incorrect landing after a jump where the knee collapses inward (valgus stress).
  • Direct trauma: A collision or tackle against the knee.
  • Anatomy and gender: Statistically, women have a higher risk due to anatomical and hormonal factors.

When Should You Seek Care?

Contact a healthcare provider if:

  • Your knee swells significantly after a trauma or fall
  • You cannot put weight on the leg normally after an injury
  • You experience the knee being unstable and "giving way"
  • You have persistent pain that does not improve with rest

How to Find Out if You Have a Cruciate Ligament Injury

Do you have symptoms that you suspect are due to a cruciate ligament injury? A first step is to book an appointment with a doctor or physiotherapist. They perform manual tests (such as stability tests) to assess whether the cruciate ligament is intact.

If the clinical examination suggests an injury, or if the knee is too swollen to be examined properly, an MRI scan of the knee is the most reliable method. With an MRI, one can clearly see if the cruciate ligament is torn or damaged, as well as if there are other simultaneous injuries to the menisci or joint cartilage. This is crucial for planning the right treatment, whether it involves surgery or specific rehabilitation.

Questions and answers

Common indicators include a distinct "popping" sound during the injury, immediate intense pain, rapid swelling within hours, and a sensation that the knee is "giving way."

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury is the most common and usually happens during pivots or sudden stops. The Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury is less common and typically results from a powerful direct impact to the lower leg.

Not necessarily. Treatment depends on the severity of the tear and the patient's lifestyle. Decisions regarding surgery versus physical therapy are often guided by an MRI evaluation.

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Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI knee – advanced magnetic resonance imaging without referral.
  • Recommended for knee pain, instability, or suspected injury.
  • High-precision imaging of meniscus, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, and joint structures<./li>
  • Fast, painless examination with specialist evaluation within a few days.

4 295 kr

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