Ligament Tear
Ligaments are bands of strong, flexible tissue that connect bones together throughout the body. They allow movement between bones, which allows you to do things like flex your foot or move your fingers. When ligaments are stretched or strained beyond normal capacity, they can tear. There are three grades of ligament injury: grade 1, a mild ligament tear; grade 2, a moderate ligament tear, and grade 3, a complete ligament tear, otherwise known as a rupture.
Common Ligament Injuries:
Orthopedic specialists treat all sorts of ligament injures. Some of the more common ligament tears include:
Knee ligament injuries, such as:
ACL tear
MCL or LCL sprain
Patella (knee cap) dislocation
Ankle ligament injuries, such as:
Ankle sprain
Achilles tear or rupture.
Shoulder ligament injuries, such as
Shoulder dislocation
AC joint injury
Rotator cuff tear
Wrist and hand ligament injuries, such as:
Finger sprainor thumb sprain
Spinal ligament injuries, such as:
Neck sprain
Back ligament sprain
Whiplash
Text neck
Causes
Common causes of ligament tears are twisting body parts or hard or awkward landings. Tears often happen when ligaments are stretched fully and then encounter some form of impact or trauma. Ankle sprains, a mild torn ligament in the ankle, can happen when you are walking or running, land awkwardly, and twist your ankle. The knee and ankle ligaments are more vulnerable to tearing because they are weight-bearing ligaments that are often under stress. People who engage in sports that involve full contact (like hockey and football) or many changes of direction (like basketball and tennis) are most susceptible to ligament injuries.
Treatments
The treatment plan for ligament tears will vary depending on the location of the tear, the severity of the injury, and your tolerance for different treatment options. You may need a cast or crutches, and you may even need surgery to repair the torn ligament.
The Rice Therapy Protocol
Rest: Don't bear weight on the injured body part for at least one to two days, and don't lift anything with an injured wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
Ice: Put ice or a cold pack on the injured area for 10 minutes every 30 minutes to an hour for the first two to three days. Use a damp, thin cloth to wrap the ice; don't put ice directly on your skin.
Compression: Wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage or use a compression sleeve meant for your specific type of injury.
Elevation: Keep the injured area above the level of your heart. This is easiest to do if you lie down and either elevate your leg or arm slightly above you.
