CLASSIFICATION OF LIGAMENTOUS INJURY

Knee is joint having complex ligamentous structures. Knee takes half the weight of body. The stress on knee goes to five or six times body weight during strenuous activities. Knee, hence is prone for injuries. Bending, twisting and thudding injuries are common, in number of scenarios.

Classification of knee injuries
Sprain is defined as an injury of ligaments (Connective tissue attaching bone).
Strain is stretching injury to muscle or tendons.

Sprains are classified according to degree of damage.
First Degree – disruption of minimum number of fibers without instability
Second degree –disruption of moderate number of fibers with loss moderate instability
Third degree – Complete disruption of ligament with marked instability.

Third degree sprain is graded into:
1+ joint surface separation less than 5 mm
2+ joint surface separation between 5-10 mm
3+ joint surface separation more than10mm


Classification of knee instabilities
Disruption of complex supporting structures permits tibia to shift excessively and abnormally.
Knee instabilities are classified as one plane, rotary or combined.


I) One plane instability (simple or straight)
A) Medial
B) Lateral
C) Posterior
D) Anterior



II) Rotary
A) anteromedial
B) Anterolateral 1) in flexion
2) Approaching extension
C) Posterolateral
D) Posteromedial


III) Combined
A) Anterolateral anteromedial rotary
B) Anterolateral Posterolateral rotary
C) Anteromedial Posteromedial rotary.