Are calcium tablets useful for ligament injuries?

Written by Wang Jing

Pediatric Orthopedics

Updated on September 23, 2024

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Calcium supplements do not have a significant effect on the repair of ligament injuries. There are established principles for dealing with ligament injuries. Generally, for minor injuries, reducing movement and stabilizing the affected limb are recommended to allow the ligaments to heal on their own. In cases of severe ligament injuries, such as significant or complete tears that affect joint stability, surgical repair or reconstruction may be necessary. Of course, in the most severe cases, ligament injuries can be accompanied by fractures or other concurrent injuries. While healing fractures require calcium, and during these times the calcium from calcium supplements can serve as a source for fracture repair, typically the calcium intake from a daily diet is sufficient to meet the needs during fracture healing. Therefore, taking calcium supplements for ligament injuries does not have a significant effect.

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Written by Wang Jing

Pediatric Orthopedics

1min 20sec

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Can ligament damage be treated with a block injection?

After ligament injury, the acute phase management mainly involves protection, elevation, avoiding the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs, compression, and patient education, and, of course, appropriate use of cold compresses. In the subacute phase, when there is no pain, some load can be added appropriately, maintaining an optimistic attitude, engaging in aerobic exercise to improve local blood circulation, and early activity should focus on practice as well as exercise in muscle strength and proprioception. Of course, in severe cases where the ligament injury is completely ruptured, affecting stability, consideration must be given to ligament repair or reconstruction. But for acute cases, there is definitely no need for cortisone injections. For chronic ligament injuries, with long-term chronic pain around the joint, conservative treatment and other methods are ineffective, local injections may be considered. However, it is advisable not to inject the injured ligament itself but rather the synovial sheath or other soft tissues surrounding the ligament, as this can reduce the damage of the injection drugs to the ligament. (Use of specific medications should be under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Wang Jing

Pediatric Orthopedics

42sec

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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 Wang Fei

Orthopedics

56sec

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What is the best way to recover from meniscus injury and ligament tear with conservative treatment?

For a meniscus injury and ligament tear in the knee joint, if the condition is not very severe, we can manage it with conservative treatment. This means using immobilization, physical therapy, heat application, and anti-inflammatory pain relief. If the knee has been immobilized for a period, say two months, it will obviously become somewhat stiff. In this case, if rehabilitation is to be performed, the first step should be to seek guidance at a formal rehabilitation medical institution. If a therapist is available to assist with training, that would be the ideal best case scenario. If no therapist is available, care must be taken during activities not to excessively tear the healed ligaments or meniscus. During the rehabilitation process, when performing bending and flexing exercises, it's crucial to be mindful of the extent of movement. Additionally, it's important to consistently strengthen the quadriceps muscles.

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Written by Wang Jing

Pediatric Orthopedics

54sec

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Can ligament injuries heal by themselves?

Whether ligament injury can be healed depends on the severity of the injury. Generally, there are four types of ligament injuries. The mildest is a sprain, which is when some fibers of the ligament are torn. The second type is a partial tear of the ligament, the third type is a complete tear of the ligament, and the fourth type is a combined injury, which includes damage to other structures in addition to the ligament injury. If the ligament injury is just a sprain, it can generally heal within two to three weeks with immobilization. However, partial ligament tears that are more severe may require surgical intervention. If the partial ligament injury is not severe and does not affect stability, it can also heal with about three to six weeks of immobilization. However, complete ligament tears or combined injuries often require surgery for suturing or reconstruction in order to heal.

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Written by Wang Jing

Pediatric Orthopedics

55sec

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Are calcium tablets useful for ligament injuries?

Calcium supplements do not have a significant effect on the repair of ligament injuries. There are established principles for dealing with ligament injuries. Generally, for minor injuries, reducing movement and stabilizing the affected limb are recommended to allow the ligaments to heal on their own. In cases of severe ligament injuries, such as significant or complete tears that affect joint stability, surgical repair or reconstruction may be necessary. Of course, in the most severe cases, ligament injuries can be accompanied by fractures or other concurrent injuries. While healing fractures require calcium, and during these times the calcium from calcium supplements can serve as a source for fracture repair, typically the calcium intake from a daily diet is sufficient to meet the needs during fracture healing. Therefore, taking calcium supplements for ligament injuries does not have a significant effect.