Profile of Major Ligament Injuries of The Knee in Patients at Indonesia Tertiary Referral Hospital

Abstract

Background: The knee joint is supported by four major ligaments: the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL. Injuries to these ligaments often occur during physical activities like sports and transportation, particularly in young men.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the profile of patients who suffered from major knee ligament injuries at Dr. M. Djamil Padang Hospital between 2018 and 2020. 

Methods: This is a descriptive study that utilizes a total sampling design. Data was collected from medical records, and variables were based on sex, age, mechanism of injury, side of injury, and therapy options.

Results: The study included 130 patients with major ligament injuries and underwent MRI examinations. Among these injuries, ACL occurred in 123 cases (80.39%), 22 PCL cases (14.38%), 7 LCL cases (4.58%), and 1 MCL case (0.65%). The incidence of these injuries was more common in men, with 102 patients (78.46%) than women, with 28 patients (21.54%), and predominantly occurred in the age group of 18-35 years, with 84 patients (64.62%). The majority of patients (66.92%) suffered injuries while participating in sports such as football, basketball, skateboarding, badminton, and martial arts. The right knee was more frequently injured (56.9%), and 89.5% of the patients underwent reconstruction surgery, followed by physiotherapy.

Conclusion: According to the study, the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the most frequently injured body part, usually in men aged between 18 and 35 years. The primary cause of the injury is trauma during sports, and the right knee is the most commonly affected side. Out of 130 patients, 89.5% underwent reconstructive surgery through arthroscopy.