A ligament is a fibrous strip of tissue that joins two bones. It also connects bones to cartilage, which is an important component of your body’s joints. Ligaments are tough, yet they can be stretched or damaged. Sprain injuries come in various grades or levels because of this.
A ligament tear is frequently caused by a high-affected event, such as a fall or another high-affected incident. Ligament tears are most commonly found in the ankle, knee, wrist, thumb, neck, and back.
Have a look at the signs and symptoms of a ligament tear, as well as the activities that can cause it. It also goes over how to treat various types of sprains.
Symptoms
A ligament tear is painful to the touch and sensitive. Swelling and bruising are possible side effects. The joint may be difficult to move. At the time of the injury, you may hear a snap or feel tearing in some ligaments. Muscle spasms are another possibility.
A damaged ligament makes it difficult to move the joint. It causes the joint to become looser than usual, preventing you from moving it normally.
Locations and Causes
A ligament tear can occur when a joint is forced out of its usual position. A fall, an abrupt twist, or a trauma to the body can all cause this.
Because joints are constantly in motion and under a lot of stress during athletic exercise, these injuries are common. Ankle, knee, and wrist ligaments are frequently affected.
Ankle- Ligament tears are most common in the lateral ligament complex, which is located on the outside of your ankle. The anterior talofibular (ATFL), calcaneofibular (CFL), and posterior talofibular (PTFL) ligaments are all part of this structure. The medial deltoid ligament, on the inside, is less commonly injured. Competitive athletes are more likely to suffer from a high ankle sprain.
Knee – The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) are the four primary knee ligaments. The most common of these ailments is an ACL tear.
Wrist – The wrist has twenty ligaments. When you fall on an outstretched hand, you are more likely to cry. The most often injured structures are the scapholunate and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC).
Other common locations for ligament tears, as well as possible reasons, include:
Thumb – The ulnar collateral ligament can be ruptured during skiing (a condition known as skier’s thumb) or when the thumb is bent in an extreme position during a fall.
Neck – Whiplash injuries, such as those sustained in a car accident, can tear neck ligaments. The hard speed-and-stop motion injures the cervical spine, which is the section of the spine in the neck. A ligament tear is only one of the symptoms of a whiplash injury. Muscles, nerves, and bones may also be affected.
Back – Lifting something that is too heavy might tear the ligaments in your back.
Diagnosis
A physical exam and medical history are used to diagnose a ligament injury. Your doctor will inquire as to what you were doing at the time of the accident. They can learn more about the degree of the injury by feeling the area and moving the joint.
An X-ray is usually taken next to check for fractured or broken bones.
An MRI scan may be used to determine whether a partial or total ligament tear exists.
Sprains are classified according to the degree of tearing.
Grade 1: This is a moderate sprain that causes ligament damage but not substantial tears.
Grade 2: A partial tear is present in this mild sprain. It’s possible that the joint is abnormally loose.
Grade 3: The ligament has been completely torn in this acute sprain. You can’t use the joint since it’s unstable.
Treatment
The initial treatment for a ligament injury is R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation).
- Rest: You must halt any activity that puts additional strain on the damaged joint. This gives it time to heal.
- Ice: An ice pack gives temporary pain relief and helps to reduce swelling in an injured area.
- Compression: An elastic bandage wrapped around the wounded area helps to decrease and restrict general swelling. It can sometimes help to relieve discomfort.
- Elevation: Raising the injured body area reduces swelling and helps to manage blood flow. When the damaged area is elevated above the level of the heart, it is most effective.
Your doctor may prescribe an over-the-counter pain reliever. They may also provide pain and swelling medicines.
A brace may be required to support a grade 2 sprain. This permits the partial ligament tear to heal. The length of time you must wear it depends on your injury. A grade 3 sprain may necessitate ligament repair surgery.
Your healthcare professional may offer physical therapy or home exercises to help restore the ligament and joint function once the pain and swelling has decreased. Depending on the severity of the ligament tear, healing time can range from a few weeks to a year.
Summary
A ligament tear is a painful and unexpected injury that can be caused by sports or carrying large objects. It results in a sprain, ranging in severity from grade 1 to grade 3.
Your healthcare professional can assess the severity of the damage. In many cases, simple R.I.C.E. treatments (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) will cure the tear. Immobilization, physical treatment, or surgery may be required in more severe cases.
For specific advice regarding your ligament tear problem, please visit Simply Align Rehab Physio in Scarborough/Toronto at simplyalignrehab.com or you can always call or text us for your Physiotherapy or Chiropractor needs in Toronto at (416) 628-8554.