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Ligament Injuries

Ligaments are strong, bendy bands that hold bones together at your joints. Any kind of unwanted stretching or tearing may lead to ligament injuries. Some common places where this happens are your ankle, knee, or wrist. A mild injury might just need rest, ice, and a wrap. However, if it is a severe tear, then consult a doctor. Maintaining strong muscles, warming up before activity, and using proper form can help prevent these injuries.

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Overview

What are ligaments?

Ligaments are strong, stretchy bands that connect bone to bone. They help keep your joints stable. These bands are made mostly of two proteins, collagen (for strength) and elastin (for elasticity).

Some ligaments help hold organs like the liver, stomach, and uterus in place. These organ-supporting ligaments are flexible and strong. These not only connect bones but also protect organs.

Types of Ligaments

There are mainly four types of ligament, which include:

Ligament Location Main Function
ACL Center-front Stops forward movement and controls rotation
PCL Center-back Stops backward movement
MCL Inner side Prevents inward bending and supports the inner knee
LCL Outer side Prevents outward bending and supports the outer knee

Ligament Tear Definition

A ligament tear is also known as a ligament injury or sprain. These tears typically happen when a joint is forced beyond its normal range due to sudden twisting, a fall, or physical impact.

Depending on the severity of damage, it is divided into three parts, which include:

  • Grade 1: The ligament is only slightly torn. Patient faces mild pain or very little joint wobbling.
  • Grade 2: The ligament is partly torn, causing more pain, swelling, and some instability in the joint.
  • Grade 3: The ligament is completely torn or ruptured. It makes the joint unstable and immovable. In such a condition, always visit the doctor urgently.

What Causes Ligament Injuries?

Here are some of the main causes of ligament injuries:

  • A sudden twist or turn that stretches the ligament completely.
  • Landing badly after a jump puts too much stress on the joint.
  • A collision with a joint that pushes it in the wrong direction.
  • Overstretching a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
  • Repetitive movements or overuse gradually damage the ligament over time.
  • Accidents that force the joint to bend or twist abnormally.
  • Weak muscles around a joint give poor support and make ligaments more prone to injury.
  • Fatigue reduces muscle support and increases the vulnerability of ligaments.
  • Slippery surfaces create unstable footing and a high injury risk.
  • Poor footwear that fails to support joints adequately.

Symptoms of Ligament Injuries

Here are some symptoms of ligament injuries:

  • A sharp pain right when the injury happens.
  • A pop sound at the time of injury.
  • Rapid swelling around the joint.
  • Bruising or discoloration around the injured area.
  • Feeling like the joint is loose or might collapse.
  • Difficulty in moving the joint or putting weight on it.

How to Diagnose Ligament Injuries?

Here are some easy methods to diagnose ligament injury in the knee:

  • X-ray: A scan that creates a black-and-white image of bone and tissue. It is not only quick but accurate as well.
  • MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): A more detailed scan that uses magnets and radio waves to show soft tissues like ligaments, muscles, and cartilage.
  • Arthroscopy: A small camera is inserted into the joint through a tiny cut to look directly inside. It allows doctors to detect and cure ligament injuries in the knee.

Treatment Techniques for Ligament Injury

1 Non-Surgical Treatments

Here are the ways by which you can cure ligament injury in the knee:

R.I.C.E. Technique

It refers to Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation

  • Rest: Take proper rest.
  • Ice: Apply cold packs wrapped in a cloth for 15–20 minutes.
  • Compression: Lightly wrap with an elastic bandage to limit swelling.
  • Elevation: Keep the injured area raised above the heart level.

Physical Therapy

A customized program of strengthening, flexibility, and balance exercises helps rebuild joint stability and supports recovery.

Bracing or Immobilization

Using a brace or splint helps to stabilize and protect the joint area. It also helps in preventing further injury during the early phase of healing. It helps in recovering from the ligament injury easily.

Medication (NSAIDs)

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen help to reduce pain and swelling. They work by blocking the body's production of certain substances that cause inflammation and help you to feel better.

2 Surgical Treatments

Here are some of the methods of treatment that any patient can consider for curing ligament injuries:

Arthroscopy

A minimally invasive procedure where doctors use a small camera to view and repair the damaged ligament through tiny cuts in the joint area.

Reconstruction (ACL Reconstruction)

For fully torn ligaments, surgeons replace the damaged tissue with a graft. This matched ligament is either taken from the patient’s own tissue or a donor.

How can We Help with Ligament Injury?

Smart Orthopedic and Rehab Centre is a one-stop solution for most of your joint problems. We provide a trustworthy Arthroscopy and Reconstruction Treatment to our patients. We will help you heal from ligament injuries with the suitable form of treatment. You can reach out to us not just for consultation and medication but also for surgical purposes.

Frequently asked questions

Here is the list of days taken by the torn ligament patients to recover:
  • Mild cases: 1–2 weeks with home care
  • Moderate to severe: 2–10 weeks or more
In case of severe damage and surgical treatment, full healing may take several months.

Treatment often starts with RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Physical therapy. This treatment method helps to regain strength and balance. Serious cases may need a brace or immediate surgery.

A ligament tear means the strong band of tissue that holds bones together gets stretched too much or torn. Ligaments give support and stability to joints. When they tear, the joint may become painful, swollen, and hard to move. It can happen in the knee, ankle, wrist, or other joints.

You may feel pain, swelling, and your knee may feel weak or unstable. The knee may feel weak, unstable, or like it will give way when you walk. Some people also find it difficult to straighten or bend the knee.

The recovery time for an ankle ligament injury depends on the severity of the tear. A small sprain may heal in 2–4 weeks with rest and care. A moderate injury may take 6–8 weeks.

Treatment for an ankle ligament injury usually starts with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE method). Doctors may suggest using a brace or bandage to support the ankle. Pain medicines can reduce pain and swelling.

If the wrist ligament is damaged, you may feel pain, swelling, and find it hard to move or hold things. Some people may also hear a clicking sound when moving the wrist.

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