Knee Ligament Injuries

What is a knee ligament injury?

A knee ligament injury occurs when one or more of the strong bands of tissue that stabilize your knee are stretched, partially torn or completely torn. These injuries are common in athletes and active individuals, but they can also occur from falls, accidents or everyday activities that place sudden stress on the knee.

At Novant Health, we understand how disruptive knee pain and instability can be. Difficulty walking, swelling, loss of confidence in your knee and time away from work or sports can affect your quality of life. Our specialists are here to help you understand your injury, answer your questions and help you a treatment plan that fits your life.

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Illustration of a human knee joint with labeled parts including quadriceps, femur, patella, and ligaments.

Knee anatomy & ligaments

The knee is a complex hinge joint made up of bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons that work together to support movement and stability. The primary bones involved are the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone) and patella (kneecap).

Ligaments connect bone to bone and play a critical role in keeping the knee aligned during motion. There are two main groups of knee ligaments:

Collateral ligaments, including the medial collateral ligament (MCL) on the inner knee and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) on the outer knee, which control side-to-side stability
Cruciate ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which control forward and backward movement of the knee

Injury to any of these ligaments can compromise knee stability and function.

Symptoms

You may be experiencing a knee ligament injury if you notice:

Knee pain or tenderness
Swelling or stiffness
A feeling that the knee may “give way”
Difficulty bearing weight
Reduced range of motion
A popping sensation at the time of injury

Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may worsen without proper care.

Causes

Knee ligament injuries may occur suddenly or develop as part of a traumatic event. Common causes include:

Sudden twisting or pivoting motions
Abrupt stops or changes in direction
Incorrect landing from a jump
Direct contact or collision, such as in football or soccer
Falls or motor vehicle accidents
Hyperextension of the knee

Understanding how your injury occurred helps our specialists determine the most effective treatment approach.

Types of knee ligament injuries

Several ligaments can be affected, depending on the mechanism of injury.

ACL Tear

ACL tears are among the most common sports-related knee injuries. They often occur during sudden directional changes, rapid deceleration or improper landings. Athletes frequently report a popping sound followed by swelling and instability.

MCL Tear

MCL injuries affect the ligament on the inner side of the knee and are commonly caused by a blow to the outside of the knee. These injuries range from mild stretching to complete tears and often heal well with appropriate treatment.

PCL Injury

PCL injuries are less common and can be harder to detect. They often result from direct impact to a bent knee, such as during a car accident or a fall. PCL injuries are graded by severity, from mild stretching to complete tears that cause instability.

How serious is a knee ligament injury?

Some knee ligament injuries can heal with non-surgical treatment, especially when diagnosed early. However, untreated ligament damage may lead to chronic pain, repeated instability episodes and increased risk of cartilage damage or arthritis. Early evaluation helps protect the knee and may prevent long-term complications.

Diagnosis

Our orthopedic specialists take a thorough, patient-centered approach to diagnosis. Your evaluation may include:

A detailed medical history and physical examination
Stability, strength and range-of-motion testing
X-rays to evaluate bone alignment or rule out fractures
MRI imaging to assess ligament damage and associated injuries

We explain your results in clear, straightforward language so you understand your diagnosis and options.

Why treatment matters

Many knee ligament injuries can be treated without surgery using rest, activity modification, bracing, anti-inflammatory medications and structured physical therapy. Immediately after injury, you should use rest, ice, compression and elevation (R.I.C.E.) to help reduce swelling and pain.

When surgery is recommended, our orthopedic surgeons use advanced techniques to repair or reconstruct damaged ligaments and restore knee stability. A personalized rehabilitation program supports safe healing and helps you return to daily activities, work and sports with confidence.

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Take the next step

Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.