Symptoms of fibular ligament injury

Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
Updated on November 17, 2024
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The symptoms of fibular ligament damage include, first, pain, especially noticeable tenderness or pain around the fibula when bearing weight, which can further affect weight-bearing walking. Second, swelling can occur, particularly after prolonged weight-bearing walking, leading to localized swelling that gradually subsides with rest. Third, joint instability can also occur as the stability of the entire joint deteriorates after ligament damage, resulting in instability during prolonged weight-bearing activities, and in severe cases, affecting joint mobility and damaging the joint cartilage.

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Written by Wang Jing
Pediatric Orthopedics
1min 20sec home-news-image

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
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Is it necessary to get an MRI for a ligament injury?

After ligament injuries, the common imaging examinations usually include standard X-rays, CT scans, and MRI. X-rays are mainly used to observe the overall shape of the bones and the alignment, CT scans are primarily for examining the condition of the bones at the injury site, especially the form of the bones, while MRI mainly uses the hydrogen atom content, or water content, to determine if there is an injury. When a ligament is injured, there won't be bleeding, which leads to an increase in water content; thus, an MRI can easily reveal the increased water content and help diagnose the injury. Therefore, the best method to diagnose ligament injuries is through MRI. Of course, X-rays are used for general overview and alignment, which are the most basic and common examinations, followed by CT scans. Generally, CT scans are not necessary unless there is a special circumstance.

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Written by Wang Fei
Orthopedics
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How long will it take for a ligament sprain and soft tissue injury to fully heal?

Ligament strains or soft tissue injuries are common in everyday life, and they also typically require grading. Some minor ligament strains or soft tissue injuries generally heal after about three weeks of rest and immobilization. If a ligament strain or soft tissue injury is very severe, such as when the ligament has reached the level of tearing, or if there is significant bleeding, edema, and swelling at the time of the injury, this indicates a very serious soft tissue injury. In such cases, the duration of immobilization might be much longer, possibly around six weeks. The recovery time for such soft tissue injuries or ligament strains can also be very lengthy, sometimes extending up to three months or even six months.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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Symptoms of fibular ligament injury

The symptoms of fibular ligament damage include, first, pain, especially noticeable tenderness or pain around the fibula when bearing weight, which can further affect weight-bearing walking. Second, swelling can occur, particularly after prolonged weight-bearing walking, leading to localized swelling that gradually subsides with rest. Third, joint instability can also occur as the stability of the entire joint deteriorates after ligament damage, resulting in instability during prolonged weight-bearing activities, and in severe cases, affecting joint mobility and damaging the joint cartilage.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 28sec home-news-image

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.