Multiple ligament injuries
A high-impact injury or severe twisting of the knee can damage several ligaments at once, causing significant pain, swelling and instability and making it difficult to put weight on your leg. At Fortius Clinic, our knee specialists are here to listen, understand your concerns and guide you through every stage of your recovery. Together, we'll explain your treatment options clearly, create a personalised care plan and support you in returning to the activities that matter most to you. Because these injuries can sometimes also affect the blood vessels and nerves around the knee, early specialist assessment is important to identify any associated injuries and begin the most appropriate treatment as soon as possible.
Specialist expertise
Our experienced knee consultants diagnose and treat complex ligament injuries using the latest evidence-based techniques.
Sports medicine experience
We regularly care for everyone from recreational exercisers to elite athletes with serious knee injuries.
Flexible access to care
Whether you're self-funding, using private medical insurance or have a referral, we'll help you access specialist care as quickly as possible.
What is a multiple ligament injury?
A multiple ligament injury occurs when two or more of the major ligaments that support the knee are damaged. These ligaments help keep the knee stable during everyday movement, exercise and sport. When more than one ligament is injured, the knee can become severely unstable and unable to support your weight properly. These injuries are usually caused by high-energy trauma, such as road traffic collisions, skiing accidents or contact sports. They can affect anyone but are more common in people involved in high-impact activities. In some cases, the injury can also damage the blood vessels or nerves around the knee. Although this is uncommon, it requires urgent assessment and treatment to help protect the long-term function of the leg.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually develop immediately after the injury and may include:
- Severe knee pain
- Rapid swelling
- A feeling that the knee is unstable or giving way
- Difficulty or inability to stand or walk
- Reduced movement in the knee
- Bruising around the joint
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in the lower leg or foot if nerves are affected
- A cold, pale foot or reduced pulses if blood vessels have been injured, which requires urgent medical attention
How is it diagnosed?
Your consultant will begin by discussing how your injury happened, your symptoms and how they are affecting your mobility. They'll carefully examine your knee to assess its stability, as well as check for any signs of nerve or blood vessel injury.
To understand the full extent of your injury, we may recommend:
- A detailed medical history
- Physical examination
- Assessment of knee stability and movement
- Examination of circulation and nerve function
- X-rays to identify any associated fractures
- MRI scans to assess ligament, cartilage and other soft tissue injuries
- CT scans or CT angiography if there is concern about bone injuries or damage to the blood vessels
How is it treated?
Your treatment will depend on which ligaments have been injured, whether other structures around the knee have been damaged and your individual recovery goals.
Treatment may include:
- Pain relief and careful management of swelling
- A knee brace to protect the joint
- Physiotherapy before and after surgery to improve strength and movement
- Surgery to reconstruct damaged ligaments where needed
- Urgent treatment if there is injury to the nerves or blood vessels around the knee
- Your consultant will explain the available options and work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your injury and long-term goals.
Treatment routes
Although many multiple ligament injuries require surgery, non-surgical treatment may be appropriate for some patients. This may be considered if the ligaments have only partially healed, your knee remains reasonably stable, or surgery is not suitable because of your general health or activity level.
Treatment usually includes bracing, personalised physiotherapy and a structured rehabilitation programme to improve strength, stability and confidence in the knee.
Recovery goals
During the first stage of rehabilitation, the focus is on:
Reducing pain and swelling Protecting the healing knee Maintaining safe movement where appropriate Beginning gentle strengthening exercises
As your recovery progresses, rehabilitation focuses on:
Restoring knee movement Rebuilding strength and stability Improving balance and control Returning to normal daily activities
The final stage of rehabilitation aims to:
Build strength for work, exercise or sport Improve agility, coordination and confidence Support a safe return to higher levels of activity where appropriate Reduce the risk of future injury
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places repeated demands on their knees. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport, work and everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Knee Treatments
Dedicated to restoring your mobility through advanced surgical care, tailored rehabilitation programmes, and compassionate, evidence-based patient support.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Multiple ligament injuries FAQs
Not always. While many multiple ligament injuries are treated surgically because of the level of instability they cause, some patients can be managed without surgery depending on the severity of the injury, knee stability, general health and activity goals. Your consultant will discuss the most appropriate option for you.
Recovery is often longer than for a single ligament injury. Although everyone recovers at a different pace, rehabilitation commonly takes between 9 and 18 months, particularly if surgery is required.
You should seek urgent medical care if you have severe pain after a significant knee injury, cannot bear weight, notice your knee is badly deformed, or develop numbness, weakness, a cold foot or changes in skin colour, as these could indicate damage to the nerves or blood vessels.
Yes. Smoking and vaping reduce blood flow and can slow the body's natural healing process after ligament injuries and surgery. Stopping smoking, or reducing how much you smoke, can improve healing and reduce the risk of complications. If you would like support to stop smoking, speak to your GP or visit the NHS Quit Smoking website.
Many people are able to return to sport following successful treatment and rehabilitation. The timing depends on the severity of your injury, the demands of your sport and how well your knee recovers. Your care team will guide you through each stage of rehabilitation before recommending a return to higher-impact activities.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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