Ligaments are tissues within the joints of the body that connect bones to other bones. They are crucial in proper joint function, and when they become damaged, knee ligament pain is likely to occur. Sprains are perhaps the most common causes of knee ligament pain; they occur when small tears develop in the tiny fibers that make up the ligaments, and the severity of the sprain will depend on how deeply the tearing has occurred. More serious injuries to the ligaments are known as tears or ruptures, and they can be extremely painful.
Sprains cause knee ligament pain as they swell after the injury occurs. In most cases, sprains will heal on their own if given enough time and care, though more severe sprains may require additional medical attention. If a sprain occurs, the knee ligament pain can be treated by using the RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These actions will help reduce or prevent swelling that can lead to pain, and they will promote blood flow to the injured area, thereby encouraging faster healing times. The knee can be immobilized with a brace or wrap to help prevent additional injury to the joint.
More severe injuries that can cause knee ligament pain include anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. The ACL is a ligament within the knee that can become injured by twisting or absorbing impact, and the ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries among athletes. Minor ACL tears can be treated without surgery; the RICE treatment, immobilization, and physical therapy can very often treat the injury, though the recovery time can be quite protracted. More severe ACL tears will require a surgery to repair, and the recovery period will be quite long. A person who suffers such a tear may not make a full recovery, and knee braces may need to be used any time athletic activity is undertaken.
Other causes of knee ligament pain may relate to other ligaments in the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) connects the thigh bone to the shin bone and is one of the most important ligaments in the knee. This ligament is also susceptible to damage from repeated stressful movements or twisting motions, especially among athletes such as runners. The lateral cruciate ligament, or LCL, is situated on the outside of the knee, and while it is less commonly injured than the other ligaments, it can still seriously impair mobility when injured or otherwise sprained.
