Ligament Injuries - Types, Symptoms and Treatment Ligament injuries occur when a ligament is stretched beyond its normal range. The article lists the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options for this condition.
Ligaments are tough band of fibrous tissues that connects bone to bone or bone to cartilage and support, stabilize and strengthen joints. The primary function of ligaments is to keep the bones in proper alignment and prevent abnormal joint movements. However, ligaments are always prone to some kind of damage/injury. A ligament injury occurs when the joint is stressed beyond its normal range of motion. Ligament injuries are common among athletes and can occur in any joint, though the knee and ankle joints are the most commonly affected. Leading pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment options for ligament injuries to help patients attain better mobility, balance, and strength. What are the Causes of Ligament Injuries? Ligament injuries occur due to a sudden/extra stretch, abnormal movement, twisting or improper landing, and stretching of the joint beyond a normal range of motion. Ligaments that are located around a joint are at the full-stretch and can tear away from the bone. The condition is most common in sports especially contact sports like football and hockey where in the players have to put in an extra effort and force, which may result in excessive strain on the ligaments causing them to rupture. There are three grades of ligament injuries. The first grade involves a mild tear in which the ligaments stretch, but they do not tear. It may cause joint swelling and severe pain. The second grade involves a moderate or partial ligament tear. Common side effects include swelling and bruising. The third grade is
severe ligament tear (also called ruptured ligament) where in the ligament gets completely torn. Typical symptoms include - sudden pain, swelling, instability of the joints, the inability to walk or run, and bleeding beneath the skin (in some cases). In most cases, ligament injuries may normally require about 4-12 weeks of rehabilitation. However, this period may vary depending on the type of injury, its location and its severity. Symptoms The symptoms of ligament injuries can be mild or severe and include the following • • • • • • • • •
Sudden onset of excruciating pain Severe swelling within the first 24 hours after the injury Joint instability Inability to move the affected joint Difficulty in walking or running Bruising A loud pop or snap during the injury A feeling of looseness in the joint Inability to put weight on the joint without pain, or any weight at all
In sports, sprains occur due to various factors like muscle fatigue, lack of proper warm up, slips or falls on slippery or uneven surfaces, and poor equipment, including footwear. Types of Ligament Injuries ▪
ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament) injury - A common sports injury, ACL ligament crosses from the back of the femur to the front of the tibia in the middle of the knee.
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MCL (Medial collateral ligament) injury - MCL injury primarily affects the thigh bone to the shin bone on the inside of the knee.
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AC (Acromioclavicular) joint injury - Commonly referred to as “shoulder separation”, this refers to an injury where the ligaments supporting the acromioclavicular joint are overstretched.
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Ankle sprains - Ankle sprains occur when one or more ligaments on the outer side of the ankle get stretched or torn (when the ankle turns or twists in a particular way).
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Plantar fasciitis - Also called heel pain, plantar fasciitis occurs due to activities that place a lot of stress on the heels like dance aerobics, ballet or long-distance running.
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PCL (Posterior cruciate ligament) injury - A rare kind of injury (except in car accidents), PCL links the thigh bone to the shin bone in the knee.
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LCL (Lateral collateral ligament) injury - LCL affects the thigh bone to the fibula, (the smaller bone of the lower leg on the outer side of the knee).
Ligament Injury Treatment Diagnosis of ligament injuries begins with a detailed physical examination to evaluate how the injury has affected your range of motion. Physicians may order imaging tests such as X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to check for fractures. Multispecialty healthcare centers in Brooklyn offer nonsurgical treatment to address the pain, swelling and joint instability associated with ligament injuries. These treatment options include ✓ Physical therapy and rehabilitation - Physical therapy and rehabilitation can reduce stress on the joint and return it to its pre-injury state. Therapeutic exercise programs like stretching and strengthening exercises help reduce joint inflammation and speed healing. ✓ Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin may be prescribed to reduce pain and swelling. ✓ Chiropractic care - Chiropractic treatment helps restore the normal alignment of the joints, improve joint flexibility and reduce inflammation thereby allowing the damaged ligaments to heal more quickly. ✓ Ice and heat application - Ice packs helps to lower inflammation and heat packs provides muscle relaxation. ✓ Pain injections - Cortisone injections are administered to ease pain. ✓ Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) – TENS uses low-voltage electric stimulation that interacts with the sensory nervous system to relieve pain. ✓ Foot Levelers Orthotics - This custom orthotic soles (that can be slipped into any closed footwear) developed by Foot Levelers improve strength, provide proper balance to the feet, and alleviate pain throughout the body. Surgery is generally recommended only for severe ligament injuries or joint fracture. The decision to recommend surgery would depend on various factors such as failed conservative treatments, outcome of imaging and MRI studies, response to physical therapy and other factors combined. Regardless of the type, extent and area of the injury, taking proper rest is one of the most important aspects of ligament injury recovery. Activities that stress the injured area must be avoided until healing is complete. Wrapping the injured area with a bandage or using a hinged brace can provide consistent compression to an injured area, which in turn, helps stabilize the joint and protect it from further injury.
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