Ligament Injuries

What is a ligament?

A ligament is a tough, fibrous tissue band that connects bones or bone to cartilage. It’s the responsibility of the ligament to support your joints and keep your bones properly aligned. Ligaments also help prevent your joints from moving abnormally.

What causes ligament injuries?

Even though ligaments are very strong, too much pressure or overuse can result in ligament sprains or actual tears in the fiber.

The most common locations for ligament injuries include your knees, ankles, and wrists, often due to:

• Falls
• Auto accidents
• Sports participation

Torn ligaments can cause pain and swelling that make it difficult to walk or stand for extended periods of time.

How is a ligament injury diagnosed?

Your Orthopaedic Associates physician can diagnose a ligament injury based on your symptoms and a thorough physical exam.

You may also need to undergo an imaging test — such as X-rays or ultrasound — that allows your physician a close-up view of the internal structures of your knee, wrist, or ankle. Because all testing equipment is available in the office, you can expect a fast, accurate diagnosis and begin treatment as soon as possible.

What treatments are available for ligament injuries?

Depending on the severity of the ligament injury, your Orthopaedic Associates physician may recommend one or more treatments to alleviate pain and improve your mobility in the affected area.

For sprains and strains in the ligament, you may need to rest for a period of time to allow natural healing. Ice therapy can also control swelling and improve pain.

Another method for controlling swelling includes elevating the injured area frequently. Elevation helps to reduce blood flow to the area that can cause swelling, which can worsen your pain.

Will I need surgery for a ligament injury?

For severe ligament tears, your Orthopaedic Associates physician may recommend surgery as a long-term solution to increase your mobility.

Surgery typically involves removing the damaged tissue and replacing it with tissue taken from another part of your body or using donor tissue.

Following the procedure, you may need to rest for 1-2 weeks before starting physical therapy. Therapy helps strengthen the muscles in the affected area to better support your joints and prevent a new ligament injury.

During a consultation beforehand, your physician can discuss how long you need to be off from work and other limits on your daily activities.

Find out more about treatment options for ligament injuries by calling the Albany office today or use the easy online booking feature.