How to recover from ligament damage

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Recovery from ligament damage should be divided into two phases. The first phase is the acute phase of the ligament injury, which generally occurs within three weeks after the injury. During these three weeks, it is recommended to immobilize and minimize movement to create favorable conditions for the growth and repair of the ligament. During this period, heat application can be beneficial, and oral medications that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain can be taken to facilitate the repair of the ligament. After three weeks, the continuity of the ligament is usually established. During this period, it is necessary to enhance functional exercises to prevent joint adhesion. Under the guidance of a physician, joint movements should be strengthened, combined with oral medications for promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, and relieving pain, and also include local heat application and possibly physical therapy. With these comprehensive treatment measures, generally, a good recovery outcome can be achieved.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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How to recover from collateral ligament injury of the knee joint

The knee joint has important ligaments on both the inner and outer sides, known as the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament. In sports injuries, collateral ligament damage of the knee is very common. If there is an injury, the first step is to conduct a series of examinations to determine the stability of the knee joint. The damage to these ligaments can range from tears to complete ruptures. If there is only a contusion or a tear, the knee can recover its function through the use of supportive braces and the natural healing of the ligament. However, if the collateral ligament is completely ruptured, surgery is necessary for repair. The specific extent of the damage needs to be determined by MRI and physical examinations to decide the best treatment approach for the patient's recovery.

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Written by Wang Jing
Pediatric Orthopedics
42sec home-news-image

Do ligament injuries fear the cold?

Ligament injuries should not naturally be sensitive to cold; however, due to impaired blood circulation in the damaged area or poor blood supply due to scar repair, the circulation in the injured tendons becomes worse compared to other areas. In cold conditions, this can lead to even poorer blood flow. When circulation is poor, it's hard for metabolic byproducts to be removed from the area, leading to their accumulation, which can stimulate the injured site and cause pain. Therefore, areas with ligament injuries often become sensitive to cold, as the cold causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to the accumulation of metabolic by-products and resulting in pain at the affected site.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
1min 7sec home-news-image

How to recover from ligament damage

Recovery from ligament damage should be divided into two phases. The first phase is the acute phase of the ligament injury, which generally occurs within three weeks after the injury. During these three weeks, it is recommended to immobilize and minimize movement to create favorable conditions for the growth and repair of the ligament. During this period, heat application can be beneficial, and oral medications that promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, reduce swelling, and relieve pain can be taken to facilitate the repair of the ligament. After three weeks, the continuity of the ligament is usually established. During this period, it is necessary to enhance functional exercises to prevent joint adhesion. Under the guidance of a physician, joint movements should be strengthened, combined with oral medications for promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, and relieving pain, and also include local heat application and possibly physical therapy. With these comprehensive treatment measures, generally, a good recovery outcome can be achieved.

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Written by Wang Jing
Pediatric Orthopedics
43sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of ligament injury?

Ligament injuries may exhibit different symptoms depending on whether they are acute or chronic. Acute ligament injuries generally occur within one to three days after the injury. At this time, the main symptoms are caused by blood drawn from the injured ligament, leading to swelling, bruising, pain, and corresponding joint movement disorders at the injured site. Severe ligament injuries can even cause avulsion fractures. Chronic ligament injuries usually result from acute injuries that have not been properly treated. At this point, the main issues are joint instability and pain in the joint caused by long-term damage to the cartilage.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
57sec home-news-image

How long does it take for a triangular ligament injury to heal?

The deltoid ligament, as a very important structure on the medial side of the ankle joint, is mainly divided into superficial and deep layers. The superficial layer generally originates from the anterior colliculus of the medial malleolus and is more superficial, making it more susceptible to injury. The deep layer originates from the posterior colliculus of the medial malleolus and is tightly connected with the talus bone, meaning that any injury likely involved significant force. Moreover, once injured, it cannot self-repair except through surgery. So, how long does it take for a deltoid ligament injury to heal? For superficial injuries, with proper immobilization or surgical repair, recovery typically takes about three weeks. For deep injuries, surgical repair can be challenging, and reconstruction is often required, extending the healing time to about six weeks or even three months.