How to recover from ligament damage

Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
Updated on September 04, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
43sec home-news-image

Can I walk if the ligament injury has been a month old?

If you can walk with a ligament rupture, it generally takes about four to six weeks. Ligament rupture usually requires surgical treatment because it can cause dysfunction of joint mobility, so it is mainly treated through surgical repair. Post-surgery, it generally requires immobilization and rest for about four to six weeks. During this time, under the guidance of a physician or physiotherapist, appropriate functional exercises should be performed. Normally, it takes more than four to six weeks to resume regular activities. Beginning functional rehabilitation exercises as soon as possible can help prevent complications such as joint stiffness and tendon adhesion, and promote recovery of function.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Ying Peng
Orthopedics
54sec home-news-image

What supplements are good for ligament injuries?

Patients with ligament injuries are advised to consume more foods containing high-quality protein, such as beef, eggs, and milk. However, it is not recommended to eat high-calorie, high-nutrient foods, such as sea cucumber and abalone. Ligaments are important structures that connect two bones at the joint. Once a ligament is injured, it can only recover under strict rest, which may involve immobilization with plaster casts and bed rest. After a ligament rupture, a great amount of energy is consumed during the healing process. It is crucial to balance meat and vegetables in the diet and maintain nutritional balance. It is suggested to appropriately increase the intake of high-quality protein foods, such as beef, eggs, and milk, but it is not advised to consume high-calorie, high-nutrient foods, like sea cucumber and abalone.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

Symptoms of ligament rupture

After a ligament rupture, the area will experience pain, swelling, and restricted movement, and it will not be possible to actively extend or bend. Taking the rupture of the finger extensor tendon as an example, after the rupture caused by accidental bumps or other reasons, the site exhibits pain and cannot be straightened. When passively straightened, it will flex on its own after removing the support, unable to actively extend. These are the symptoms of functional limitation after a ligament rupture. Furthermore, some patients may also experience persistent local pain and significant swelling. At this time, it is advisable to combine local hot compresses and physical therapy. For distal finger extensor tendon ruptures, hyperextension fixation can be applied. About four weeks later, if the hyperextension fixation splint or plaster is removed, some patients can heal on their own. However, if some patients cannot heal naturally, surgical anastomosis treatment is required.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Jing
Pediatric Orthopedics
1min 13sec home-news-image

What medicine is good for ligament injury?

Ligament injuries first require assessment of whether the damage is acute or chronic before considering medications. For acute ligament injuries, there are key principles to follow. First, the injured area must rest and the joint should no longer be active. Second, immediately apply cold compresses. The temperature of the ice-water mixture touching the skin should be between 4℃ to 10℃. Apply the cold compress for about 10 to 15 minutes, generally not exceeding 20 minutes. If there is severe swelling, you can continue to apply cold compresses two hours later. Then, elevate the patient's limb and apply compression bandaging to the injured site, which forms the treatment principles for acute ligament injuries. For chronic ligament injuries, different situations require different approaches. For ligament injuries that do not affect joint stability, some topical medications can be used. This can include traditional Chinese medicines or anti-inflammatory and analgesic patches, which mainly improve local blood circulation and reduce local chronic inflammation. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)