A skiing vacation is the highlight of the year for many – but when you’re out on the slopes, a fall can happen and change everything. A twisting trauma, a crack, pain in the knee – you immediately suspect that something serious has happened.
The diagnosis is often: Cruciate ligament rupture. In this article, I would like to explain how urgent surgery really is and what you should do now.
How do I recognize that my cruciate ligament could be torn?
A cruciate ligament rupture often happens without much warning. Typical signs are
- a sudden cracking sound during an accident
- Immediate onset of severe pain
- Rapid swelling in the knee
- the feeling that the knee "gives way"
- Limited mobility
The suspected diagnosis can usually be made quickly – however, a definitive diagnosis is always made using MRI and a detailed clinical examination.
Does my torn cruciate ligament need to be operated on immediately?
In short: it depends.
An anterior cruciate ligament rupture should be operated on acutely in the first ten days or after several weeks, when the knee is swollen and mobility has been restored.
If an operation is performed in the intermediate interval, the probability of excessive scar tissue is increased, which can lead to serious problems in the follow-up treatment.
When do I recommend an operation - and when not?
An operation makes sense if:
- The knee is unstable
- there are concomitant injuries (e.g. meniscus tears or collateral ligament tears)
- for high sporting demands
- the knee keeps "buckling" in everyday life or sport
Non-surgical therapy is an option if:
- there is only a partial crack
- the knee remains stable despite the injury and no high sporting loads are planned
What to do immediately after the accident?
The policy rule
If a cruciate ligament rupture occurs during sport or on a skiing vacation, simple immediate measures can help to reduce pain and swelling.
In the past, the RICE rule (rest, ice, compression, elevation) was often recommended for sports injuries. Heute gilt jedoch die modernisierte POLICE-Regel:
P = Protection
The injured joint is protected from further strain, e.g. with a splint or bandage.
OL = Optimal Loading
Instead of complete rest, it is important to take appropriate early exercise to promote healing and regeneration.
I = Ice (cooling)
Cooling helps to relieve pain and swelling.
C = Compression
An elastic bandage reduces swelling.
E = Elevation (elevation)
Elevate the injured leg to improve circulation and reduce swelling.
Important: Do not continue driving, even if the pain seems bearable at first.
As soon as you are back home, I advise you to:
- an examination by a knee specialist
- an MRI for precise clarification
- a clear treatment strategy
Alternative to regular cruciate ligament surgery: cruciate ligament suture (cruciate ligament refixation)
A cruciate ligament suture is only possible if surgery is performed within 3 weeks. In this case, the cruciate ligament must be torn directly from the bone for this to be possible.
What happens if a complete cruciate ligament rupture is not operated on?
An untreated complete crack can lead to long-term damage:
- recurrent instability
- Meniscus damage
- Increased risk of osteoarthritis
lead.
However, many people manage well without surgery – the decisive factors are stability, everyday requirements and training success.
My conclusion: How quickly do I need to operate?
If you have torn your cruciate ligament on a skiing vacation, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible in order to receive the best possible treatment tailored to your needs.
Make an appointment in my practice as soon as possible!
