Why Cruciate Ligament Injury Matters ? The knee joint, one of the most important joints in the body, supports the rest of your body’s weight and needs to be structurally strong and fully functional at all times. The best way to keep your knees healthy, especially as you get older, is to be proactive and do whatever you can to prevent or minimize cruciate ligament injuries. Whether it’s exercising correctly or taking supplements, making sure your body and its connective tissues stay healthy will make all the difference when it comes to preventing a knee injury like cruciate ligament damage.
What is the cruciate ligament?
The cruciate ligaments cross over each other at a right angle and connect your femur (thigh bone) to your tibia (shin bone). When either knee joint is bent, they give it stability. Since they’re being used all day while you walk, run or sit, they’re particularly vulnerable to wear and tear. And since women are more prone to osteoporosis than men, their bones aren’t as strong in old age—making it even more likely that their ligaments will rupture when stressed by poor balance or sudden stops. Once injured, rehabilitation for the elderly requires time and special care because of weaker muscles.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD), is a condition that gradually wears down cartilage and changes bones. There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatments to help manage symptoms and prevent further damage to your joints. Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, and feet. It tends to be more common in older adults—but can be triggered by trauma or injury at any age. For example, if you have an injury or complication that affects your cruciate ligament (such as tearing it during a sports activity), it could lead to arthritis later on if you don’t address it properly from a rehabilitation standpoint.
Living with pain
Chronic pain—long-term discomfort that doesn’t necessarily get better—is a big problem in our society. The elderly population is particularly at risk for developing chronic pain, as they tend to suffer from more conditions that cause it. If you’re a senior citizen dealing with painful conditions, there are things you can do to reduce your discomfort and improve your overall health: Start by seeing your doctor if your condition causes prolonged pain and he or she prescribes medications, adhere to a rehabilitation plan after surgery, practice healthy habits (like eating right and exercising) and use home remedies like heat therapy or cold therapy. You’ll be back on track in no time!
What's Involved in the Rehabilitation Process?
It’s going to take a little time, but with some effort you can make your way back to your prior state of mobility. Here’s what happens next: First, you see a doctor (usually an orthopedist) who will take an X-ray and explain what has happened. You'll be given instructions on how to manage your pain and begin rehabilitation—the process of healing and strengthening damaged joints or muscles. Your leg may be put in a brace that stabilizes your knee while it heals; often patients are advised not to walk on their injured leg until they have had X-rays showing that healing is underway.
Surgery versus Rehabilitation
A cruciate ligament injury can affect people at any age, but it is most common in middle-aged and older adults. This is because as we age, we tend to have more activities that put stress on our knees and lead to a more significant tear in one of these crucial ligaments. When a rupture occurs, surgery may be recommended for elderly patients with debilitating arthritis or degenerative knee conditions. However, surgery should be avoided in young adults under 40 who are generally healthy and active. Even with older individuals who are less active due to existing health problems or injuries, rehabilitation programs typically offer better long-term outcomes than do surgeries.
How Long Does it Take to Recover from a Ruptured Cruciate Ligament?
The average time for a full recovery from a torn or ruptured cruciate ligament is around seven to nine months. Although many people can return to daily activities, sports and exercise within three to six months, others take longer than that. As with most surgeries involving muscles and bones, your age plays a big part in how long it takes to recover from surgery on your knee. Younger people tend to heal faster than older ones do. Individuals who are older and have other health problems will likely need more time before they're ready for strenuous activities. Many doctors advise patients not to rush their recovery times because returning too early can lead to re-injury, stiffness or chronic pain.
Key Tips for Getting Back to Normal After Surgery/Rehabilitation
It may be daunting, but do try to get back to your normal activities as soon as possible. Staying active and maintaining a routine can ease your recovery and help you feel like yourself again sooner. Remember, everyone heals at their own pace; you don’t need to be racing other people for when you are good as new. Keep in mind that each day is different: You may take two steps forward one day and one step back another—and that’s perfectly fine! As long as you are moving forward more often than not, it's safe to say you're on track with your recovery.
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