What are knee ligament injuries?
Trauma to the knee often results in sprains of the peripheral ligaments, the deep ligaments, or damage to the meniscus.
Symptoms may include:
- Pain
- Joint effusion
- Knee ligament laxity (for severe sprains)
- A blockage (for certain meniscus injuries).
How is ligament damage diagnosed?
The symptoms of ligament injury are more or less painful and intense, and are not always proportional to the severity of the damage.
The main symptoms are:
- A snapping noise in the knee at the time of the injury
- A painful and swollen knee
- Instability in the knee
- Muscle spasms
- Difficulty walking and leaning on the injured leg.
In the event of a severe sprain, or if your symptoms do not improve, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Your doctor will discuss with you, carry out a full clinical examination and recommend additional tests if necessary. An X-ray, for instance, may detect possible fractures if your knee is very painful and swollen. An MRI scan tends to be reserved for more serious cases, or when symptoms persist after several weeks.
What treatment is available for ligament injury ?
The treatment depends on several factors:
- The patient’s age
- Professional activity
- Sports practised
- Severity of the injury and instability of the knee.
In some cases, the doctor will prescribe the use of crutches for walking. They may also recommend that the patient wear a knee brace, or prescribe physiotherapy.
An injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can occasionally cause blood to flow into the joint, putting it under strain. The doctor must then drain the fluid.
Is surgery necessary in case of ligament injuries?
Orthopaedic surgery may sometimes be necessary to repair the damaged ligament (ligamentoplasty). For example, in the case of:
- Severe sprains
- Meniscus tears
- Bone joint injuries or fractures.
The surgery is performed under arthroscopy on an outpatient basis. The surgeon makes several small cuts in the knee to insert a mini-camera and the surgical tools needed to repair the ligaments. The ligament is reconstructed from a tendon graft.
After the operation, it is recommended you keep your leg up as much as possible, monitor your temperature and regularly check the appearance of your knee.
Preparing for your hospital stay with ELSAN in France
How can I make an appointment ?
FAQ
How can I obtain a visa?
To obtain your visa for France, you will need to apply to the French Embassy in your country of residence. Once you have paid the care cost estimate provided by the ELSAN International Patients Department, you will be sent a letter of invitation and a certificate of payment signed by the hospital where your procedure will take place. These documents should be attached to your visa application.
What about follow-up treatment?
Depending on your personal situation, your medical team may recommend a rehabilitation hospital stay. This will be discussed with you.
How long before I can fly?
Your doctor will make specific recommendations. We suggest that you ask them to issue a Fit to Fly certificate, as depending on your medical situation, it may be necessary to respect a certain time limit in the interest of your health.
Will I be reimbursed?
For patients not covered by French health insurance, we provide an estimate of the cost of treatment. You should submit this estimate, along with your treatment plan, to your insurer to obtain their prior agreement, in accordance with your insurance policy.
In some cases insurers will pay directly (avoiding any advance payments by the policyholder) or reimburse the policyholder on proof of payment (paid invoice). This will depend on your insurance policy.