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Common Ligament Injuries

John Miller Physiotherapist Erin Runge Physiotherapist
Article by John Miller & Erin Runge

Common ligament injuries affect the tough bands of tissue that connect bone to bone at a joint. They often happen after a twist, fall, collision, awkward landing, or sudden change of direction. Many people notice pain, swelling, bruising, reduced movement, or a feeling that the joint is unstable. For a broader overview, see our ligament tear guide.

In practical terms, the most common ligament injuries involve the ankle, knee, shoulder, wrist, hand, and spine. While many ligament sprains improve with the right rehabilitation, some injuries need earlier assessment to check for significant tearing, fracture, dislocation, or ongoing instability.

What are common ligament injuries?

Common ligament injuries are sprains or tears that affect the ligaments around a joint. They can range from a mild overstretch to a complete tear. Symptoms depend on the joint involved, but common signs include pain, swelling, bruising, stiffness, weakness, and reduced confidence using the injured area.

Common signs and symptoms

  • pain after twisting, landing, impact, or overloading a joint
  • swelling and bruising around the joint
  • difficulty walking, gripping, lifting, reaching, or changing direction
  • reduced joint range of motion
  • a feeling that the joint may buckle, shift, or give way

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Where do common ligament injuries happen?

Ankle ligament injuries

Ankle ligament injuries often follow a sudden roll, twist, or awkward landing. The most common pattern is a lateral ankle sprain, although the syndesmosis can also be injured. Related pages include Sprained Ankle and High Ankle Sprain.

Knee ligament injuries

Knee ligament injuries are common in sport and can significantly affect stability, walking, pivoting, and return to exercise. Common examples include ACL Injury, PCL Injury, MCL Sprain, LCL Sprain, Posterolateral Corner Injury, Patella Dislocation, and Superior Tibiofibular Joint Sprain.

Shoulder ligament injuries

Shoulder ligament injuries often happen after a fall onto the shoulder or an outstretched hand. They may affect lifting, reaching, sleeping, and contact sport participation. Common examples include AC Joint Injury and Dislocated Shoulder.

Wrist and hand ligament injuries

Wrist and hand ligament injuries are common in ball sports, falls, and workplace accidents. They can interfere with gripping, pinching, writing, lifting, and daily hand use. Common examples include Thumb Sprain and Finger Sprain. You can also see our Hand & Wrist Pain hub.

Spinal ligament injuries

Spinal ligament injuries can involve the neck or back and often follow sudden overload, awkward lifting, posture strain, or trauma. Examples include Back Ligament Sprain, Neck Sprain, and Whiplash.

What causes common ligament injuries?

Most ligament injuries happen when a joint is pushed beyond its normal range. This may occur with twisting, sudden acceleration or deceleration, awkward landings, slips, falls, collisions, or repeated overload. Previous injury, poor balance, fatigue, reduced strength, and fast changes in training load may also increase risk.

How are common ligament injuries diagnosed?

A physiotherapist or doctor will usually start with the injury story, pain location, swelling pattern, movement loss, and stability testing. Some cases can be diagnosed clinically, while others may need an X-ray, ultrasound, or MRI if there is concern about a fracture, dislocation, high-grade tear, or associated joint injury.

How are common ligament injuries treated?

Treatment depends on which ligament is injured, how severe the damage is, and what you need to return to. Early management often focuses on protecting the joint, settling pain and swelling, and restoring movement. Rehabilitation then progresses to strength, balance, control, and graded return to work, exercise, or sport.

Many people improve well with guided physiotherapy. However, some complete tears, recurrent instability problems, or combined injuries may need medical review alongside rehabilitation.

When should you seek help?

You should seek prompt assessment if you cannot bear weight, the joint looks deformed, swelling comes on quickly, the joint keeps giving way, or you have major loss of function. Ongoing pain, repeated sprains, locking, or poor progress over the first few days also deserves review.

Related articles

  1. Ligament Tear - Common Ligament Injuries: A broader guide to ligament injuries, symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
  2. Knee Ligament Injury - A Physiotherapist's Guide & Tips: Covers the common knee ligament structures, injury patterns, and rehabilitation pathways.
  3. Common Ankle Ligament Injuries: A Physiotherapist's Guide: Discusses ankle ligament injury treatment and prevention strategies.
  4. Sprained Ankle Treatment & Recovery Guide: Explains sprained ankle symptoms, treatment, and recovery stages.
  5. Ankle Strapping: Complete Guide to Injury Prevention: Outlines ankle strapping options and injury prevention ideas.
  6. Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury: Explains the mid-stage management of soft tissue and ligament injuries.
  7. Sprained Thumb Treatment and Recovery Tips: Covers thumb sprain symptoms, treatment, and return-to-use advice.

FAQs about common ligament injuries

What is the difference between a ligament sprain and a ligament tear?

A ligament sprain is the general term for ligament injury. It can describe anything from a mild overstretch to a partial or complete tear. In everyday use, people often use sprain and tear interchangeably.

Do common ligament injuries heal without surgery?

Yes, many common ligament injuries improve without surgery, especially lower-grade sprains. Surgery is more likely to be considered when there is major instability, a complete tear in a high-demand joint, repeated dislocation, or a poor response to good rehabilitation.

How long do common ligament injuries take to recover?

Recovery time varies by body part, injury severity, and activity goals. Mild sprains may improve within a few weeks, while more significant injuries can take months. Return to sport usually takes longer than return to normal daily activity.

Should I exercise after a ligament injury?

Usually yes, but the right exercise depends on the stage of healing. Early exercises often focus on gentle movement and supported loading. Later rehabilitation builds strength, balance, control, and confidence.

Can a ligament injury cause long-term instability?

Yes, it can. Some people develop repeated ankle sprains, knee instability, shoulder dislocation episodes, or ongoing weakness if the ligament does not recover well or rehabilitation is incomplete.

What to do next

If you think you may have one of the common ligament injuries listed above, an assessment can help identify which structure is involved and how serious it is. This is especially useful if the joint feels unstable, you are struggling to bear weight, or you want to return safely to work or sport.

A physiotherapist may help with diagnosis, swelling management, bracing advice, exercise progression, and return-to-activity planning based on your symptoms and goals.

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Muscle & Soft Tissue Products

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References

  1. Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle stability and movement coordination impairments: lateral ankle ligament sprains revision 2021 clinical practice guidelines. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(4):CPG1-CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302
  2. Jadidi S, Lee AD, Pierko EJ, Choi H, Jones NS. Non-operative management of acute knee injuries. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2024;17(1):1-13. doi:10.1007/s12178-023-09875-7
  3. Waldron K, Brown M, Feldman M. Anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation and return to sport: how fast is too fast?. Arthrosc Sports Med Rehabil. 2022;4(1):e175-e179.

Can You Walk on a Torn Knee Ligament?

Erin Runge Physiotherapist Chelsea Gan Physiotherapist
Article by Erin Runge, Chelsea Gan
physiotherapist assessing walking safety with torn knee ligament injury

A physiotherapist checks whether walking is safe after a knee ligament injury.

You can sometimes walk on a torn knee ligament, but walking does not prove the injury is minor. Many people can still take steps after a knee ligament injury, even when the joint feels unstable or swollen.

Mild sprains may allow short, careful walking on flat ground. However, giving way, locking, sharp pain, fast swelling, or trouble taking weight can suggest a more serious injury that needs assessment before you keep loading the knee.

If walking increases pain or swelling, stop and protect the knee. A physiotherapist can assess knee stability, guide safe loading, and advise whether crutches, a brace, imaging, or medical review may be needed.

Should you walk on a torn knee ligament?

  • Usually safer: mild pain, little swelling, and the knee feels steady.
  • Reduce load: limping, moderate swelling, or the knee feels unreliable.
  • Stop walking: giving way, locking, sharp pain, fast swelling, or trouble taking weight.

Walking ability does not rule out an ACL injury, MCL tear, PCL injury, LCL injury, or meniscus tear. Reduce activity and arrange an assessment when symptoms do not settle.

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When Is Walking Safer After a Knee Ligament Injury?

Walking is usually safer when pain stays low, swelling does not increase, and the knee does not buckle. Keep walking short, slow, and on flat ground at first.

Avoid long walks, hills, stairs, running, pivoting, or sport until the knee feels stable and has been assessed. Some people can walk after an ACL injury, yet still have poor pivoting control.

When Should You Stop Walking on a Knee Ligament Injury?

Stop walking if the knee gives way, locks, swells quickly, or causes sharp pain with each step. These signs may suggest a higher-grade ligament tear or another injury inside the knee, such as a meniscus tear.

Stop walking and seek prompt advice if you notice:

  • rapid swelling within the first few hours
  • the knee giving way or buckling
  • locking, catching, or inability to straighten the knee
  • severe pain when taking weight
  • difficulty walking more than a few steps

Can Walking Make a Torn Knee Ligament Worse?

Walking too far, too fast, or without support may worsen pain and swelling. It may also increase the risk of a secondary injury if the knee is unstable.

Early care aims to protect the knee while keeping safe movement where appropriate. This balance helps reduce stiffness without overloading injured tissue.

Symptom Pattern Walking Advice
Mild pain, little swelling, stable knee Short, careful walking may be reasonable.
Moderate swelling or a limp Reduce walking and arrange assessment.
Giving way, locking, or rapid swelling Avoid walking and seek prompt review.
Unable to take weight Seek urgent medical assessment.

Why Knee Ligaments Matter for Walking

Knee ligaments act like strong bands that guide and stabilise the joint. The ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL each help control different directions of movement.

The MCL supports the inner knee, the LCL supports the outer knee, and the PCL helps control backward shin movement. Muscles, tendons, cartilage, and the joint capsule also support knee stability. This combined support explains why some people can still walk after a ligament tear.

physiotherapist assessing knee ligament stability during movement test

Controlled testing helps identify knee stability and safe movement.

How Can Physiotherapy Help a Torn Knee Ligament?

Physiotherapy can help by assessing knee stability, reducing swelling, restoring movement, and rebuilding strength. Your plan may include walking advice, bracing guidance, balance retraining, and staged exercises.

Rehabilitation often starts with symptom control and safe movement. Later stages focus on strength, landing control, direction change, and return-to-sport loading where needed. This is especially important for people returning to field sport, gym training, running, or work that involves squatting, lifting, kneeling, or stairs.

Should You Use Crutches or a Knee Brace?

Crutches or a brace may help if walking increases pain, swelling, or instability. Your physiotherapist or doctor can advise whether support is useful and how long to use it.

Some ligament injuries need short-term protection, while others need closer medical review. You can view knee support options in the knee braces and supports section.

What Else Can Feel Like a Torn Knee Ligament?

Not every painful knee after a twist is a ligament tear. A meniscus tear, kneecap injury, bone bruise, fracture, or flare of patellofemoral pain can also make walking painful or unreliable.

Assessment helps match your symptoms, swelling pattern, mechanism of injury, and movement tests to the likely injury. It also helps decide whether you can keep walking, need temporary support, or need medical imaging.

walking normally after knee ligament injury rehabilitation

Rehab aims to restore confident walking and knee control.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you still walk with a torn ligament in your knee?

Some people can walk short distances with a torn knee ligament, especially with a mild sprain. However, walking is not a reliable test of severity. If your knee gives way, locks, swells quickly, or pain increases, stop walking and arrange an assessment.

How do you know if a knee ligament injury is serious?

A knee ligament injury may be more serious if you heard a pop, developed rapid swelling, cannot take weight, or feel the knee buckle. Locking or catching may suggest another injury inside the knee, such as a meniscus tear.

Should you rest or keep moving after a torn knee ligament?

Early movement can help some knee ligament injuries, but it must stay controlled and symptom-guided. Rest from aggravating activity, protect the knee, and seek guidance before returning to sport, running, pivoting, or heavy gym work.

Can a torn knee ligament heal without surgery?

Some partial ligament tears can settle without surgery. Some complete ligament injuries may also be managed without surgery if the knee remains stable and the person follows a structured rehabilitation plan. A physiotherapist or knee surgeon can help guide this decision.

When should you see a physiotherapist for a torn knee ligament?

Book a physiotherapist if you suspect a knee ligament injury, especially if swelling, instability, pain, or limping persists. Early assessment can guide safe walking, bracing, exercises, and whether imaging or medical review is needed.

What Should You Do Next?

If you suspect a torn knee ligament, avoid testing the knee repeatedly or pushing through pain. Book a physiotherapy assessment if you have swelling, instability, a limp, or trouble returning to normal walking.

Your physiotherapist can help decide whether you need imaging, bracing, a knee surgeon opinion, or a structured rehabilitation plan. Many knee ligament injuries improve with the right guidance, but early assessment helps you avoid guesswork and reduce setbacks.

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Knee Support Products

These knee support products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to help reduce strain, improve stability, and support your recovery at home.

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References

  1. Svantesson J, Piussi R, Weissglas E, et al. Shedding light on the non-operative treatment of the forgotten side of the knee: rehabilitation of medial collateral ligament injuries-a systematic review. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 2024;10(2):e001750. doi:10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001750
  2. Lucidi GA, Solaro L, Grassi A, et al. Current trends in the medial side of the knee: not only medial collateral ligament (MCL). J Orthop Traumatol. 2024;25(1):69. doi:10.1186/s10195-024-00808-9
  3. Bingol I, Oktem U, Erden T, et al. PCL injury following high energy trauma: associated injuries and postoperative complications insights from a national registry study. J Orthop Surg Res. 2024;19:511. doi:10.1186/s13018-024-04927-1
  4. Arundale AJH, Bizzini M, Dix C, et al. Exercise-based knee and anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention: revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(1):CPG1-CPG34. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0301
  5. Jaibaji M, Najim O, Alali H, et al. Single-stage versus multistage reconstruction for multiligament knee injuries: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2025;14(19):6897. doi:10.3390/jcm14196897

What Are the Symptoms of an ACL Tear?

John Miller Physiotherapist Erin Runge Physiotherapist
Article by John Miller & Erin Runge


ACL tear symptoms assessed after football knee injury

Early knee assessment helps guide safe next steps after suspected ACL tear symptoms.

ACL tear symptoms often appear suddenly after a pivot, twist, awkward landing or quick change of direction. Common signs include a pop, sharp knee pain, fast swelling and a feeling that the knee may give way.

An ACL tear affects the anterior cruciate ligament, which helps stabilise the knee during cutting, stopping, landing and turning. For a full overview of causes, diagnosis and treatment options, see our main ACL injury page.

Quick Answer: What Are the Main ACL Tear Symptoms?

  • A pop or snap at the time of injury.
  • Rapid swelling within minutes to a few hours.
  • Knee instability or a feeling that the knee may give way.
  • Pain and stiffness, often deep inside the knee joint.
  • Difficulty continuing sport, especially pivoting or landing activities.

These symptoms can overlap with meniscus tears, knee ligament injuries and bone bruising. A knee physiotherapist or doctor can assess your knee and help decide whether imaging or referral is needed.

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How Does an ACL Tear Usually Happen?

An ACL tear usually happens when the knee twists, collapses inwards or changes direction under load. It often occurs without a heavy collision. People commonly injure the ACL during football, netball, basketball, skiing, trail running or gym-based landing drills.

The ACL sits deep inside the knee and links the thigh bone to the shin bone. It helps stop the shin sliding forwards and helps control rotation. When the ligament tears, the knee can feel loose, wobbly or unreliable during weight bearing.

What Are the First Signs of an ACL Tear?

The first signs of an ACL tear are usually a pop, sharp pain, rapid swelling and knee instability. Many people cannot keep playing sport after the injury. Some can walk, but the knee may feel unsafe or weak.

Fast swelling is important because it may mean bleeding inside the knee joint. This can occur with ACL tears and other serious knee injuries. Early assessment helps check whether the ACL, meniscus, cartilage or other ligaments are involved.


ACL tear symptoms checked with knee stability test during physiotherapy assessment

Knee stability tests help guide diagnosis after a twisting injury.

Three Symptoms That Raise Suspicion

  1. Pop: You hear or feel a pop at the time of injury.
  2. Swelling: The knee swells quickly and feels tight or full.
  3. Giving way: The knee buckles or feels untrustworthy when you stand, walk or turn.

Can You Walk With a Torn ACL?

Some people can walk with a torn ACL once the first pain eases. However, walking ability does not rule out an ACL tear. The knee may still feel unstable, swollen or stiff, especially on stairs, slopes or uneven ground.

Avoid testing the knee with running, jumping or cutting movements after a suspected ACL tear. These actions may increase giving-way episodes and may irritate other structures. A guided knee pain assessment is a safer next step.

Other Common ACL Tear Symptoms

  • Deep pain inside the knee joint.
  • Swelling that returns after activity.
  • Reduced ability to fully straighten or bend the knee.
  • A stiff, tight or “full” feeling in the joint.
  • Loss of confidence when changing direction.
  • Pain or instability on stairs, slopes or uneven ground.
  • Difficulty returning to sport or training.

How Do ACL and Meniscus Symptoms Differ?

ACL tears more often cause rapid swelling and instability. Meniscus tears more often cause joint-line pain, catching, clicking or locking. However, both injuries can occur together, so symptoms alone cannot always separate them.

A physiotherapist or sports doctor may use knee stability tests, meniscus tests and movement assessment to guide the diagnosis. MRI may be useful when the injury pattern is unclear, symptoms are severe or surgery is being considered.

Practical point: A swollen knee after a twisting injury deserves early review, even if pain settles within a few days.

When Should You Seek Help After a Suspected ACL Tear?

Seek early assessment if your knee swells quickly, gives way, locks, feels unstable or cannot take weight comfortably. You should also seek urgent medical care if you have severe pain, obvious deformity, numbness, calf swelling, fever or signs of infection.

Early advice helps protect the knee and gives you a clearer plan. It can also help decide whether you need a brace, crutches, imaging, referral or early rehabilitation.

What Should You Do Straight After the Injury?

Stop sport or training and avoid pivoting, jumping or running. Use sensible short-term care such as relative rest, compression and elevation. Ice may help pain in the first stage if it suits you.

Next, book a knee assessment. Your physiotherapist can check swelling, movement, walking pattern, knee stability and early muscle control. They may also discuss whether you need medical review or MRI.

Treatment Options After an ACL Tear

Treatment depends on your age, sport, goals, knee stability, other knee injuries and confidence with movement. Some people need ACL reconstruction. Others may manage with structured rehabilitation and careful return-to-sport testing.

How Physiotherapy Helps ACL Recovery

Physiotherapy helps you reduce swelling, restore knee motion, rebuild strength and improve movement control. Later stages focus on balance, landing control, running, agility and return-to-sport readiness.

A complete ACL plan should not rely on time alone. It should use strength, hop, balance, confidence and sport-specific testing before higher-risk activity. Read more about ACL reconstruction rehabilitation and ACL injury prevention.


ACL tear symptoms rehab with supervised single-leg knee control exercise

Rehab rebuilds knee control, strength and confidence.

ACL Tear Symptoms: Decision Guide

Pop + rapid swelling Book an early knee assessment and avoid pivoting sport.
Giving way Seek guidance before stairs, running or return to training.
Locking or catching Assessment should also consider a meniscus injury.
Severe pain or unable to weight bear Seek urgent medical review.

ACL Symptoms FAQs

What are the first signs of an ACL tear?

The first signs are usually a pop, sharp pain, rapid swelling and knee instability. Many people cannot continue sport after the injury. Some can walk afterwards, but the knee may still feel unsafe.

Can I bend my knee with a torn ACL?

You can often still bend and straighten the knee after an ACL tear, especially once the first pain settles. However, swelling may limit motion. Painful catching, locking or joint-line pain may suggest a meniscus injury as well.

How do I know if I tore my ACL or meniscus?

ACL tears often cause a pop, rapid swelling and giving way. Meniscus tears more often cause clicking, catching, locking or pain along the joint line. These injuries can occur together, so clinical assessment and sometimes MRI are needed.

What injuries can be mistaken for an ACL tear?

Meniscus tears, MCL injuries, LCL injuries, patella dislocation and bone bruising can mimic some ACL tear symptoms. A structured knee assessment helps identify the most likely injured structure and guide safe next steps.

How painful is a torn ACL?

Pain is often sharp at the time of injury. It may ease, then build again as swelling increases. Pain levels vary because an ACL tear may occur alone or with meniscus, cartilage, bone or other ligament damage.

Can you tell if an ACL is torn without an MRI?

A clinician can often strongly suspect an ACL tear from the injury story and knee stability tests. MRI can confirm the diagnosis and check for associated injuries that may affect treatment decisions.

Where is ACL tear pain usually felt?

ACL tear pain is usually felt deep inside the knee. Some people also notice pain on the outer side or back of the knee, especially when there is bone bruising, meniscus injury or another ligament injury.

Which is worse, a meniscus tear or an ACL tear?

Both can be significant. ACL tears often cause more instability during pivoting sport. Meniscus tears may cause locking, catching or joint-line pain. The impact depends on the injury pattern, your goals and how the knee responds to rehabilitation.

Related ACL and Knee Articles

What to Do Next

If you suspect an ACL tear, do not test the knee with sport, jumping or pivoting. Book an assessment with a knee physiotherapist or speak with your doctor. Early guidance can help you protect the knee and choose the right pathway.

PhysioWorks clinics across Brisbane provide knee injury assessment and rehabilitation planning at Ashgrove, Clayfield, Loganholme, Rochedale, Salisbury and Sandgate.

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ACL Products

These ACL knee support products are commonly used by our physiotherapists to help reduce strain, improve stability, and support your ACL recovery at home.

View all ACL support products

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Get free physiotherapy tips, exercise videos, recovery advice, and blog updates.

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References

  1. Evans J, Nielson JL. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injury. StatPearls. Updated 2023.
  2. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries. Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline. 2022.
  3. Kotsifaki R, Korakakis V, King E, et al. Aspetar clinical practice guideline on rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Br J Sports Med. 2023;57(9):500-514. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-106158
  4. Arundale AJH, Bizzini M, Dix C, et al. Exercise-Based Knee and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(1):CPG1-CPG34. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0301
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