Tear of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) and Medial Mniscus
A Male patient aged about 25 years with history of injury and fall on his left knee joint while board skating about one-week back complaints of severe pain in his knee joint and left leg and unable to walk even a few steps. Patient came limping to my consultation chambers with the help of two people.
Physical examination and clinical findings:
On examination of the left knee joint, the patient had severe inflammation of the joint both anteriorly and posteriorly (Front and back of the joint), excruciating pain on flexion of 30* and more, unable to put his weight on the knee joint (Standing position) and pain along the medial side of the knee joint, radiating pain to the leg up to the ankle.
Diagnostic tests:
MRI of the knee joint: The patient had already taken an MRI scanning a few days back outside and the reports revealed the following.
- Grade 2 tear of the posterior horn of medial meniscus
- Acute near to complete tear of the ACL
- Acute grade 3 tear of the PCL
- Significant joint capsular effusion
X-Ray of left Knee Joint: The x-ray revealed that there was a large joint effusion with soft tissue opacity and reduction in the medial joint space.
- Clinical Diagnosis: Significant joint capsular effusion with Grade 2 tear of the posterior horn of medial meniscus and Acute near to complete tear of the ACL along with Acute grade 3 tear of the PCL.
Treatment advised:
Marma Bandhana Chikitsa for approximately 24/28 sittings (Bi-weekly). The patient was advised with Marma Bandana, ayurvedic Medicinal applications, bandaging along with clinically tested ayurvedic medicines and supplements given orally and for local applications during the course of treatment only.
Efficacy of Treatment :
At the end of the treatment the patient’s
- Knee joint pain and inflammation had reduced by about 90%.
- Residual joint line tenderness and effusion was almost nil.
- Patient perception of knee giving way or instability, particularly during turning or descending stairs was reduced to 95%.
- Range of Motion (ROM) – flexion and extension of the knee joint improved to 90% without pain.
- Quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength had improved significantly by to 90%.
- The patient can lead a normal life going about his daily chores. Exercises were taught to strengthen his knee joint, muscles and ligaments.
