A multiligament knee injury can involve any combination of these ligaments, such as:

1. Terrible triad injury: Injury to the ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus (cartilage).
2. Unhappy triad injury: Injury to the ACL, MCL, and lateral meniscus.
3. Dislocation injuries: Injury to the ACL, PCL, and one or both collateral ligaments (MCL
and LCL).

These injuries typically result from high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries (e.g., football, skiing), or severe twisting injuries to the knee.

Multiligament knee injuries are considered severe and can lead to knee instability, impaired function, and long-term complications if not treated properly.

Treatment for multiligament knee injuries often involves surgical intervention to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligaments. The specific surgical approach depends on the ligaments involved and the severity of the injury. Rehabilitation following surgery is crucial and typically
involves a prolonged period of physical therapy to regain strength, range of motion, and functional stability.

Mulitligament Surgery

Multiligament knee surgery refers to a set of surgical procedures performed to treat injuries or disruptions involving multiple ligaments in the knee joint. The primary goal of this surgery is to restore knee stability and function by repairing or reconstructing the damaged ligaments.

The specific surgical approach depends on the ligaments involved and the extent of the injury. However, multiligament knee surgery often involves the following procedures:

1. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction: This involves replacing the torn ACL with a graft, typically taken from the patient’s own tissue (autograft) or from a donor (allograft).
2. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction: Similar to ACL reconstruction, this procedure involves reconstructing the torn PCL using a graft.
3. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) repair or reconstruction: Depending on the severity of the MCL injury, the ligament may be repaired or reconstructed using a graft.
4. Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) repair or reconstruction: This procedure addresses injuries to the LCL, either by repairing the torn ligament or reconstructing it with a graft.
5. Meniscal repair or meniscectomy: If the meniscus (cartilage) is also injured, it may be repaired or partially removed (meniscectomy) during the surgery.
6. Fracture fixation: In cases where the multiligament injury is accompanied by a bone fracture, fixation techniques (e.g., plates, screws) may be used to stabilize the fracture.

After the surgery, patients undergo an extensive rehabilitation program that involves physical therapy, bracing, and gradual weight-bearing and range-of-motion exercises. The recovery process can take several months to a year or more, depending on the severity of the injury and
the patient’s commitment to rehabilitation.