Care for Ligament & Cartilage Tears at University of Colorado Hospital

Why Choose Treatment for Ligament & Cartilage Tears at University of Colorado Hospital?

The doctors at University of Colorado Hospital treat all injuries of the bones, joints and muscles. Doctors at UCH patients with and without surgery, and use the latest techniques.

Our doctors are specially trained in sports medicine and participate in teaching and education. UCH also offers sports medicine services specifically for active women; it is one of the few hospitals in the country to do so.

What are Ligament & Cartilage Tears?

Ligament tears are injuries to the tissues that connect bones. Four ligaments connect the bones in the knee joint:

Medial and collateral – stabilize side-to-side movement of the knee

Anterior cruciate – keeps the shin bone (tibia) from sliding forward

Posterior cruciate – keeps the shin bone from sliding backward

Depending on their severity, ligament tears are treated with physical therapy, braces or surgery.

Cartilage tears are injuries to the firm, rubbery tissue that lies between bones. Cartilage serves as a “shock absorber” that prevents bones from wearing against each other. The most common cartilage tear occurs to the menisci. The menisci cushion the three bones in the knee joint: the kneecap (patella), the thigh bone (femur) and the shin bone (tibia). Cartilage tears are treated with physical therapy, medication or surgery.