How to recover from ligament damage

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on December 23, 2024
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For patients with ligament injuries, it is first necessary to determine the severity of the ligament damage in order to establish an active treatment plan to promote rapid repair of the ligament. If the ligament injury is relatively mild and joint stability is good, it is entirely possible for such patients to choose active conservative treatment. It is necessary to strictly use plaster casts or supportive external fixation. During this period, treatment can include oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medication as well as drugs that promote blood circulation and disperse blood stasis. For those with more severe ligament injuries and poor joint stability, it becomes necessary to actively proceed with surgical treatment, which might involve repairing or reconstructing the damaged ligament. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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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.

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Pediatric Orthopedics
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How to operate on ligament damage

Ligament injuries that affect joint stability require surgery, and different locations necessitate different surgical methods. Generally, for ligaments within a joint, such as the anterior cruciate ligament or the posterior cruciate ligament of the knee, reconstruction is performed using either autografts, allografts, or synthetic tendons to replace the original damaged ligaments. For ligaments outside of a joint, such as the medial collateral ligament, lateral collateral ligament of the knee, or the anterior talofibular ligament of the ankle, if the joint stability is compromised, suturing is generally performed during the acute phase. For chronic, long-standing injuries that affect joint stability, reconstruction is usually necessary, also using autografts, allografts, or synthetic tendons to substitute their function.

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Written by Lv Yao
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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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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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What should I do if the patellar ligament is injured?

Once a patellar ligament injury occurs, the first step is to immobilize the area; stop all activities to prevent further damage and secondary injuries. Secondly, apply ice. The initial ice application should last from half an hour to an hour, applied directly to the injured patellar ligament. Thirdly, bandage to immobilize the area, primarily using an elastic bandage and cotton padding to compress the knee joint. This can help stop bleeding and limit swelling. Fourth, elevate the injured limb to at least 30 degrees above the level of the heart. After these measures, it's necessary to go to the hospital for further examination including physical assessments by a doctor, X-rays, or an MRI to fully understand the extent of the ligament damage. If there is a partial tear of the ligament without complete discontinuity, conservative treatment such as casting or bracing can be effective, typically for three to four weeks. However, if the ligament is completely torn and surgery is clearly indicated, surgical treatment should be followed by the use of a brace for six weeks. Thus, proper early management of a patellar ligament injury is crucial, followed by hospital evaluation. Additionally, since patellar ligament injuries often coincide with fractures or damage to other structures such as the meniscus or cruciate ligaments, these factors cannot be overlooked.