what are the three different injuries of the knee that make up the unhappy triad

Unhappy Triad: 3 Combination of Partial Injuries

• the medial collateral ligament (MCL),
• the medial meniscus (inner cartilage) and
• the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Full Answer

What is the unhappy triad knee injury?

The Unhappy Triad is a severe knee injury that may require PT to fully get back to optimal function. More in Orthopedics. The “unhappy triad” refers a sprain injury that involves three structures of the knee. These structures are the medial collateral ligament, anterior cruciate ligament, and the medial meniscus.

What are the symptoms of an unhappy triad?

Severe knee pain, difficulty moving the knee and a tearing sound at the time of injury are the main symptoms. The unhappy triad, also known as the terrible triad, or o'donoghues triad is a severe knee injury. It involves full or partial tears of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, the Medial Collateral Ligament and a tear of the Medial Meniscus.

What are the symptoms of a bad knee triad?

Symptoms of Unhappy Triad or Blown Knee or Terrible Triad. Traumatic injury causing severe knee pain. Instant and acute swelling. Audible pop or tear in the knee at the time of injury. Difficulty in knee movements, especially during full range of motion.

What ligaments are in the unhappy triad?

The three structures injured in the unhappy triad include the medial collateral ligament, the anterior cruciate ligament, and the medial meniscus. Understanding the function of each of these ligaments is important to understanding the rehab after suffering the unhappy triad.

What are the 3 structures damaged in an unhappy triad?

The unhappy triad, also known as a blown knee, refers to a sprain injury which involves 3 structures present in the knee joint. These structures include; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial meniscus and tibial (medial) collateral ligament.

What are the 3 common injuries to the knee?

The most common knee injuries include fractures around the knee, dislocation, and sprains and tears of soft tissues, like ligaments. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury. In addition, your knee may catch or lock up.

What ligaments are damaged during a Terrible Triad knee injury?

Terrible triad injury, also known as Unhappy triad or O'Donoghue triad, is a condition involving injury to three structures in the knee joint: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Medial meniscus. Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

What are the 3 types of ligaments in the knee?

They are:Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This ligament is in the center of the knee. ... Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). This ligament is in the back of the knee. ... Medial collateral ligament (MCL). This ligament gives stability to the inner knee.Lateral collateral ligament (LCL).

What are the 3 types of injury?

Acute, Overuse, and Chronic.

What are 3 questions you would ask an athlete to assess a current knee injury?

Dr. Geier offered advice on evaluating knee injuries, the most common type of sports-related injury....Knowing what to askIs the knee swollen? ... Does the knee buckle or give way? ... Does the knee lock or catch? ... Does it hurt to go up or down stairs?

Which is worse a torn MCL or ACL?

An ACL tear is more serious than an MCL tear, and may require surgery to repair. Recovery time may be 6 months or more, including rehabilitation. An MCL tear can take around 8 weeks to recover from, but surgery is usually not required.

What is the most common severe knee injury?

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ACL injuries are one of the most common types of knee injuries and account for about 40 percent of all sports-related injuries. An ACL injury can range from a small tear in the ligament to a severe injury –when the ligament completely tears or becomes separated from the bone itself.

What 3 muscles bend the knee?

Knee Flexor Muscles The semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris (long and short heads) make up the hamstring group (Fig. 10.27). Spanning the posterior thigh, the hamstring muscles are the primary knee flexors.

What are the different types of knee injuries?

A knee injury can affect any of the ligaments, tendons or fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that surround your knee joint as well as the bones, cartilage and ligaments that form the joint itself....Some of the more common knee injuries include:ACL injury. ... Fractures. ... Torn meniscus. ... Knee bursitis. ... Patellar tendinitis.

What are the 3 main reasons ACL occurs?

ACL injuries often happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the knee:Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting)Pivoting with your foot firmly planted.Landing awkwardly from a jump.Stopping suddenly.More items...•

What are the five most common knee problems?

Below are the most common types of injuries.Knee Fracture. Your patella, or your knee cap, protects your knee joints from injuries or further damage. ... Knee Dislocation. A knee dislocation occurs when the knee bones come out of place. ... Knee Ligament Injury. ... Meniscus Tear. ... Knee Tendon Tear.

What is the most common serious knee injury?

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ACL injuries are one of the most common types of knee injuries and account for about 40 percent of all sports-related injuries. An ACL injury can range from a small tear in the ligament to a severe injury –when the ligament completely tears or becomes separated from the bone itself.

What are 5 symptoms of a knee injury?

5 Knee Symptoms You Should Not IgnoreClicking, locking, or popping in the knee joint.Swelling.Knee pain when sitting, driving, walking, sleeping, or exercising.Instability or a feeling of the knee giving way.Pain or stiffness which causes a decreased ability to bend or straighten the knee.

What are the 2 commons signs of knee injury?

Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury. In addition, the knee may catch or lock. Some knee injuries (e.g., ACL tear) cause instability — the feeling that your knee is giving way.

Why do my tibia and femur twist?

It also causes your femur and tibia to twist in opposite directions. This causes your medial meniscus and ligaments to stretch too far, making them prone to tearing. This might happen when a football player has their cleats planted in the ground while being hit with great force on their outer knee.

What happens if you stretch out your ACL?

If they stretch out, they tend to stay that way. And when stretched too far, they can tear. The unhappy triad involves damage to your: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL crosses your inner knee joint diagonally.

How to repair an unhappy triad?

The unhappy triad includes three injuries, but only two tend to require surgery: 1 The ACL can be reconstructed using a tendon graft from a muscle in your leg. 2 The meniscus can be repaired by removing the damaged tissue with a procedure called a meniscectomy. A surgeon may instead decide to repair or transplant the meniscus.

What is the unhappy triad?

The unhappy triad is the name of a severe injury involving three crucial parts of your knee joint. Other names for it include: terrible triad. O’Donoghue’s triad. blown knee. Your knee joint runs from the bottom of your femur, which is your thigh bone, to the top of your ti b ia, your shin bone. Ligaments connect these two bones ...

How long does it take to recover from an unhappy triad injury?

An unhappy triad injury is one of the most severe sports injuries. Most cases require surgery and a recovery period of six to nine months. But if you keep up with physical therapy and give your knee ample time to heal, you’ll likely be able to get back to your usual activities in under a year.

What is the MCL?

Medial collateral ligament (MCL). The MCL prevents your knee from bending too far in the direction of your other knee. Medial meniscus. This is a wedge of cartilage on the tibia in your inner knee. It acts like a shock absorber when you walk or run while also stabilizing your knee. Read on to learn more about the unhappy triad, ...

How long does it take for an ACL injury to affect knee function?

A Cochrane Review found that active adults with ACL injuries didn’t have any reduced knee function two and five years after injury . This was the same for those who underwent nonsurgical treatment and those who opted for surgery.

What Causes an Unhappy Triad?

This kind of injury only occurs after a considerable force to the knee. In sport, it tends to result from a tackle, for instance in football, rugby or soccer. Or occasionally twisting the knee with a planted foot.

What ligament prevents sideways movement of the knee joint?

The medial ligament is on the inside of the knee and prevents sideways movement of the knee joint. Part of the medial meniscus on the inside of the knee attaches to the medial ligament. Therefore it is often torn with a bad medial ligament sprain.

What ligament attaches to the medial meniscus?

Part of the medial meniscus on the inside of the knee attaches to the medial ligament. Therefore it is often torn with a bad medial ligament sprain.

Where is the ACL reconstruction taken from?

ACL reconstruction from a graft is performed. The graft is usually taken from the hamstrings or patella tendon.

Can a meniscus tear be repaired?

A meniscus tear repair or removal is performed at the same time. The MCL is usually left to heal naturally. The leg will be immobilized to allow healing. A lengthy rehabilitation programme is then required to regain full strength and mobility at the knee.

Can you have surgery for ACL tear?

An X-ray or MRI will usually be taken to confirm the diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the ACL and meniscus tears, surgery will usually be advised. ACL reconstruction from a graft is performed.

What are the symptoms of a triad injury?

However, in most cases, typical symptoms include: A loud popping sound that comes from the tearing of ligaments within the joint. Extreme sharp pain and associated inflammation.

What is a triad injury?

A triad injury is a combination of the following three partial injuries: An ACL trauma involving a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament. The knee joint is quite resilient, and an unhappy triad is fairly uncommon in daily life. It is most commonly associated with an accident or sporting injury.

Why is it important to use a knee brace?

It is crucial to encourage targeted muscle building to the muscles around the knee joint to facilitate healing. As such t he use of a specific medical knee brace is highly recommended as it provides support and protection to the compromised joint without immobilizing.

How to help knee pain?

Prescribed physiotherapy, in conjunction with the usage of knee braces, will help strengthen the joint and alleviate knee pain as well as prevent further injury. Hydrotherapy and remedial massage can also significantly reduce discomfort in the joint and help manage pain.

What is the joint that connects the femur and the fibula?

The knee joint is a complex structure made of cartilage, bones and ligaments. It connects the femur bone to the tibia and fibula bones, allowing for complex movements like walking, jumping and running. Abnormal twisting motions beyond the knee’s natural limits can result in trauma to three crucial parts of the knee joint, namely.

What is the best course of action for a knee injury?

A complete medical examination , conducted by a professional orthopedist, is the best course of action in the case of severe trauma to the knee. The physician begins with a complete history of the circumstances of the accident and injury.

What is the unhappy triad?

the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This combination of partial injuries involving the three components is often referred to as the “Unhappy Triad”. A patient suffering from this condition typically has severely restricted movement and experiences a lot of pain and discomfort.

What is the unhappy triad?

The unhappy triad is a common combination of three different injuries in the knee, and they often all occur together. The ACL tear, meniscus tear, and MCL tear make up this terrible triad, and can definitely ruin your day.

Why does my knee shift?

As your knee continues along this path of stress, your ACL often tears, causing the knee to shift . As the knee shifts, your femur and tibia compress against the meniscus, and this causes tearing of the cartilage. And then, because of the position of your knee, the MCL will tear as well...not a pretty picture.

What is the second part of the triad?

Meniscus tears are the second part of the triad. The meniscus is fibrocartilage within the knee joint that helps to provide cushion and reduce friction and stresses on your bones.

What is the collateral ligament?

The medial collateral ligament runs along the inside of the knee, and helps to provide stability to the knee joint. Injury to this ligament makes up the thrid part of the triad. Injury to the MCL is significant, however, out of the three, it is the least problematic, and does not require surgery. Medial collateral ligament injury produces pain, some instability, decreased range of motion, and swelling.

How long does it take to heal an ACL tear?

The worst part of the unhappy triad, the torn acl is the most significant of the three injuries. It requires surgery to fix, and can take months to a year to recover from.

Can you have an unhappy triad after surgery?

Unfortunately, treatment for the unhappy triad requires surgery. Reconstruction of the ACL is the primary focus, and the damage to the meniscus is taken care of during this procedure. The MCL needs time and immobilization to heal correctly, and this can occur after the ACL surgery. Many times your surgeon may have you wait several weeks before ACL reconstruction to reduce swelling and improve your motion...this will also allow the MCL tear to begin to heal.

How much is the Kindle book Running Pain Free?

Included are detailed instructions and illustrations for exercises to improve mobility, balance, neuromuscular control, strength and endurance. Only $7.49!

What happens when you blow your knee?

The ACL tear and meniscus tear can occur simultaneously during a plant and turn movement in a game, When the knee, after the first injury, continues to move along the same path, the ACL tears further causing the knee to shift. Consequently, the femur and tibia compress against the meniscus causing the soft fibrocartilage to tear. And an external blow on the same spot adds to the MCL tear.

How long does it take for a meniscus tear to heal?

A person having experienced this injury can take even months to recuperate completely. Reconstructing the ACL is the primary goal in the surgery, after which, the MCL tear and meniscus tear gradually start to heal. Recovery time can range between 6 – 9 months, depending on the seriousness of the injury. Post surgery, knee braces can be used for prophylactic reasons. Many athletes use knee braces for running. This reduces the probabilities of occurrence of this injury.

What is the unhappy triad?

It is an aggregation of three types of knee injuries that are explained below. Since this injury involves a meniscus tear, an ACL tear, and an MCL tear, the name unhappy triad is given to it.

Can a triad injury hurt your knee?

An unhappy triad injury is very common in sports like football, where the knees are highly susceptible to external injuries. This is a serious knee injury, which can be quite painful and make walking difficult. The individual may have to be confined to the bed till recovery.

How to repair a torn ACL?

If the injury is severe then surgery is recommended. Surgical options include ACL reconstruction with a graft which is commonly taken from the hamstrings or patellar tendon. The types of grafts which are done for repair of torn ACL in the Unhappy Triad are hamstring tendon autograft, quadriceps tendon autograft, and patellar tendon autograft. Treatment for torn meniscus is meniscectomy, repair of the tear of the meniscus, and transplantation of the meniscus. The MCL usually heals by itself. The leg should be immobilized with the help of a knee brace so it can heal faster. An extensive rehabilitation program should be undertaken by the patient in order to regain complete strength and motion of the knee. Certain factors should be taken into consideration before deciding on surgery such as the patient’s activity level, patient’s involvement in sports or labor intensive occupation, age is another important factor that should be considered before deciding on surgery as there can be complications in very young patients who are still growing. General health of the patient should also be considered and the patient’s ability to withstand the surgery. Patient’s support system should be strong as the patient requires help for needs after the surgery. [3]

What are the major ligaments of the knee?

The major ligaments of knee are the MCL, PCL, ACL and LCL. The medial and lateral collateral ligaments mainly support the varus and valgus forces. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments inhibit the anterior and posterior translation of the tibia on the femur.

What is an unhappy triad?

Unhappy Triad or Blown Knee or Terrible Triad is a severe knee injury involving complete or partial tears of three major structures of the knee which are the ACL, medial meniscus, and MCL. This type of severe injury results after exorbitant force is applied to the knee.

How to heal a torn meniscus?

Treatment for torn meniscus is meniscectomy, repair of the tear of the meniscus, and transplantation of the meniscus. The MCL usually heals by itself. The leg should be immobilized with the help of a knee brace so it can heal faster.

What is the Terrible Triad?

Terrible Triad and O’Donoghue Triad is also a name given to the Unhappy Triad. It also involves other skeletal elements such as patella, femur and tibia. Muscles are not directly involved in this type of injury, only the ligaments are involved, but strengthening the hip flexor and hip extensor muscles greatly helps in relieving this type of injury. ...

What happens if your knee is twisted?

If the knee gets twisted while the foot is fixed to the ground , then also it results in the unhappy triad. Around 10% of the cases involve force to the opposite side of the knee resulting in torn lateral and posterolateral ligaments. [2]

How long does it take for a bruise to appear on the knee?

Pain upon knee movement. Bruising commonly appears within a couple of days. Uneven sensation of the knee or instability of the knee which feels as though the knee is “giving out.”. Catching or locking of the affected knee.

What Is The Unhappy Triad Injury?

See more on sportsinjuryclinic.net

What Are The Symptoms?

What Causes An Unhappy Triad?

Treatment