A multi-ligament knee injury involves tears to two or more of the knee's major stabilizing ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL/PLC) at the same time, resulting in significant instability.
Usually caused by high-energy trauma — a car accident, a fall from height, or a severe sports collision — and in its most severe form can be associated with a knee dislocation, which also carries risk to the nearby blood vessels and nerves.
Significant swelling, pain, and gross instability of the knee, often with visible deformity in higher-energy injuries. This is considered an urgent injury requiring prompt evaluation to rule out associated vascular injury.
Multi-ligament injuries almost always require surgical reconstruction of the torn ligaments, typically staged or combined depending on the specific pattern of injury, followed by an extended, carefully sequenced rehabilitation program given the complexity of restoring stability to multiple structures at once.
Think you might have this condition? An accurate diagnosis starts with an exam — schedule a consultation with Dr. Thomson.
Schedule a ConsultThis page is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every injury is different — always consult Dr. Thomson or another qualified physician for a personalized evaluation.