Causes and Treatment of Ligament Injury in Kanpur
Ligaments are strong and flexible tissues that connect your whole body to the bones. They allow movement between bones, which helps us to move with all the flexibility in our feet and fingers. Ligaments can tear when they get stretched or strained beyond their average capacity. Ligament injury is characterised in three grades:
- Grade I: A mild ligament tear
- Grade II: Moderate ligament tear
- Grade III: Complete ligament tear (also known as rupture)
What is a Ligament Injury?
A ligament is a band of tough, flexible, fibrous connective tissue that connects two bones or cartilages and holds the joints together. When you stretch it beyond their capacity, a tear can occur in the ligaments.
One of the most normal ligament injuries that happens is in the knee, and there are generally three types of ligament around our knee that may get injured.
1. Anterior Cruciate Ligament
It is the most stabilising ligament in the knee. It is a strong rope-like structured ligament that is located in the centre of the knee. When this ligament tears and unexpectedly doesn’t get healed, it can often lead to instability in the knee.
2. Posterior Cruciate Ligament
It is situated in the back of the knee. It is another ligament that attaches the femur to the tibia. The PCL’s job is to keep the tibia from moving backward too far.
3. Collateral Ligament
It is situated at the side of our knee, and these ligaments control the sideways movement of the knee joint.
Causes of ligament injury
Ligament injuries may be caused by bending or landing awkwardly or accidentally, and they are most common when the ligaments around a joint stretch fully, which causes them to tear.
- ACL is the most common injury that usually occurs due to sports injuries, and it can happen in several ways, like a sudden change in direction, incorrect landing from a jump, slowing down while running, or a direct blow to the side of the knee.
- PCL injuries happen when a strong force hits to bend a knee.
- MCL and LCL injuries occur due to a strong force pushing the knee sideways.
Diagnosis of ligament injury
The diagnosis of a ligament tear begins with a physical examination and your medical history. Our orthopedic doctor in Kanpur will ask what you were doing when you got injured. Feeling the site and movement of your joint can tell them more about the injury. Some other tests that include are:
X-ray
A torn ligament will be shown under an X-ray, and an X-ray can find broken or fractured bones that might occur separately or alongside a ligament injury.
MRI
MRI is done to see if there is a complete or partial ligament tear.
Arthroscopy
This invasive procedure is done to diagnose the torn ligament. In this procedure, orthopaedic surgeons insert a device called an arthroscope into the joint so the orthopedic doctor in Kanpur can see the ligament.
Treatment of Ligament Injury
A torn ligament can heal in its own way with only conservative treatment, but your orthopedic doctor in Kanpur can evaluate the injury in a more professional manner. In some cases, you may need surgery for speedy recovery, and it also improves the chances of regaining complete mobility.
The amount of time it takes for a torn ligament to heal depends on the intensity of the injury and its location. An ankle sprain with a partial tear may take 3 to 6 weeks to get adequately headed.
Self-Care
The common approach is R.I.C.E, which includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. It is the most popular treatment for ligament injury.
- Rest – First, you have to stop any activity that stresses your joints. This period will help it to recover.
- Ice – An ice pack is used to minimise the swelling and pain in the injured area.
- Compression – To reduce the excessive swelling, you should wrap the injured area with an elastic bandage.
- Elevation – Raise the damaged area above the heart level. This will help you to control blood flow and minimise swelling.
Medications
An orthopedic doctor in Kanpur may recommend an over-the-counter medication. They may also prescribe drugs or medicines for pain and swelling.
Physical Therapy
Once the pain and swelling improve, the orthopedic doctor in Kanpur may recommend physical therapy or home exercises to help restore the function of the ligament and joint. The recovery period may be of a few weeks or up to a year, as the recovery period depends upon the severity of the injury.
Bracing
A grade 2 sprain may need a brace to support the joint. This allows for the healing of the partial ligament tear. The time you’ll need to wear it will vary based on the injury.
Surgery
Some sprains may require minimal invasive treatment to repair the ligament. A separated shoulder that can cause prolonged pain may be treated with a surgical procedure to help improve the torn ligament.