$Unique_ID{BRK01933}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Torn Cruciate Ligament:  Knee Surgery for Sure}
$Subject{Torn rip ripped Cruciate Ligament ligaments Knee knees Surgery
surgeries operation operations joint joints femur thigh bone bones tibia main
leg legs lateral medial anterior injury injured rehabilitate rehabilitation
cost costs football sports accident accidentally accidental}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Anatomy of the Knee*0006601.scf
Anatomy of the Knee Ligaments*0015501.scf}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Torn Cruciate Ligament:  Knee Surgery for Sure


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  Can you please tell me what it means when a doctor tells a patient
that his crooshate ligament is torn?  I know about the pain, and the accident
that caused the injury, but I can't find this ligament in any book I have
consulted, and since it looks like an operation is in store for me, I would
appreciate any information you may care to share.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  You might have had a bit more success if you searched for "cruciate",
but at least your pronunciation sounds right.  There are 4 ligaments that
hold the knee joint together, joining the femur or thigh bone to the tibia or
the main bone in the lower leg.  The "lateral" ligament is found on the outer
side of the knee, the "medial" ligament on the inner side.  The other two
ligaments are found within the joint itself and one crossing over the other to
form a cross (thus cruciate).  The front cruciate is the anterior cruciate,
and is the one most commonly injured or torn.  It is a serious and crippling
injury, and can rip when you attempt to make a quick turn with the upper body,
while the foot is securely fixed, as happens with cleats on football shoes.
The good news is that surgical operations to repair the injury have been
perfected, but the bad news is that these delicate procedures involve six
months of rehabilitation and a cost of up to $50 thousand dollars.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.