Coronary Ligament Sprain: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment- Bandage, Medications, Surgery

The coronary ligament in the knee forms a part of the joint capsule. These ligaments attach the inferior edges of the fibro cartilaginous menisci to the borders of the tibial plateaus.

The symptoms of sprain of the coronary ligament resemble a cartilage meniscus¹ injury and generally are associated with lateral ligament injuries.

The knee contains 2 coronary ligaments. They are also called by the name of menisco-tibial ligaments.² They belong to and form a portion of the fibrous joint capsule of the joint of the knee. These ligaments are located medially and laterally in the joint. They connect to the meniscal edge and the adjoining area of the tibia. These ligaments are responsible for attaching the meniscus to bone and also restrict knee rotation.

The symptoms of this injury resemble that in torn meniscus cases, which often results in a misdiagnosis of this injury.

• Excruciating pain with rotation movements.
• Tender knee joint line.
• Swelling is generally not present.
• Range of motion is full but with pain on extremes of range of motion.

A sudden or unexpected twist of the knee generally results in an injury to the coronary ligaments. These injuries are often sudden and are extremely painful. These injuries often occur along with MCL or LCL tears or an injury to the meniscus. Overuse of the ligament can also result in an injury such as twisting of the knee while playing soccer, or while practicing martial arts or while dancing.

• Adequate rest is required and avoidance of activities causing increased pain is necessary.
• Cold therapy is useful in reducing pain, inflammation and swelling.
• Compression bandage is useful for support and control swelling.
• Consultation with a sports doctor may be useful.
• Use of antiinflammatory medications⁴ is useful in controlling inflammation and pain.
• Ultrasound and other forms of electrotherapy treatments can also be beneficial.
• Comprehensive rehabilitation program⁵ is required so as to increase strength and flexibility.
• If all the above methods fail, then arthroscopic surgery⁶ needs to be carried out to identify and treat the injury.

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