How are torn ligaments in the ankle treated?

Ointments for tendons and ligaments on the arms and legs with cartilage-protecting substances are applied 2-4 times a day. The active ingredients accumulate in the damaged tissue and have an anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect after about a week. The intensity is the same as with nonsteroidal drugs. However, unlike NSAIDs, chondroprotectors are safe and their side effects are rarely encountered in clinical practice.

Treatment of torn ligaments

Ligament tears are a common musculoskeletal condition caused by trauma. Ligaments and tendons are bands of connective tissue that connect and hold together various parts of the skeleton and joint structures, enabling their function. A ruptured ligament is associated with destabilization of the fixed elements and impairment of their function, up to and including complete loss of function. It is important for full recovery from a damaged ligament that treatment begins early enough. Otherwise, the structure and properties of the tendon can change and the musculoskeletal system can be severely damaged.

Ligament tears can occur at any age but are more common in young and physically active people. Injuries that lead to tendon ruptures occur both in sports and in professional activities and in everyday life. Tears are caused by a force exceeding the strength of the belt. The consequence is a breakdown of the connective fibers with a complete or partial loss of the integrity of the tendon.

The condition manifests itself in severe pain, swelling, bleeding and reduced support and joint mobility. With an incomplete rupture, conservative treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. Severe ligament injuries require surgical intervention. Patients who seek medical attention soon after injury have the best prognosis.

causes

Ligaments are made up of many connective tissue fibers that are intertwined. The main function of the ligaments is to connect muscles, joint parts and internal organs. Ligaments are much stronger than muscles. Therefore, they often tear during sports activities and sudden and spontaneous movements (e.g. a fall, a jump, an unusual movement, bending of an anatomical region, mechanical impact with a blunt object, etc.).

Sometimes ligaments also tear during movements that cannot be described as unfamiliar (e.g. if you stumble). Such injuries usually occur when the tendon has previously been injured. Tendon micro-injuries lead to changes in the properties of the connective tissue and reduce its resilience.

Tendon injuries predispose to degenerative-dystrophic joint pathologies, in which all joint components are affected, as well as to systemic connective tissue diseases and metabolic disorders.

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• increased physical activity;
• participation in heavy sports;
• falls, bumps, other injuries;
• overweight;
• wearing high-heeled shoes.

Depending on the specific cause of the injury, the specialists in the clinic of Dr. Glazkova an effective therapy to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms once and for all.

Anatomical Features

Medically, dislocated knee ligaments need to be repaired due to the severe muscle contraction that occurs immediately after the injury. Damage to one of the bones leads to the development of joint disease. Some injuries make themselves felt immediately with unbearable pain. However, it also happens that the person continues to lead an active lifestyle and ignores the symptoms, as a result of which his condition worsens. In this case, the treatment takes much longer, and even the best specialists cannot guarantee a 100 percent positive result. Therefore, if you have the slightest symptoms and suspect that you need to recover from a knee ligament sprain, do not hesitate to contact the doctor at the Glazkov Clinic in Moscow. Here an accurate diagnosis is made, and on the basis of the data obtained, qualified treatment is prescribed.

You can expect to recover from a knee ligament sprain without the help of a traumatologist. The injury is directly indicated by several obvious symptoms that simply cannot be ignored. The main symptoms of knee joint problems are considered by professionals to be as follows

• Acute pain immediately at the time of injury. The discomfort does not subside over time, and the patient feels some discomfort when pressing on the knee. Bending and straightening the leg is particularly painful, and attempts to lean on the injured limb fail.
• Swelling. Over time (2-3 days) a characteristic bruise appears at the site of the torn ligament.
• Stiffness of movements and complete immobility in particularly severe injuries.
• Crunching and popping when bending the leg and a feeling of instability in the knee.

If you find these symptoms, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist. Otherwise, the situation will worsen, and treatment will be more time-consuming and difficult. The doctors at the clinic of Dr. Glazkova will determine the cause of the disease as part of the diagnostics and select a qualified therapy tailored to the individual patient.

Symptoms of a ruptured ligament

The symptoms of a torn ligament depend largely on the type of joint injured and the severity of the damage, but there are a number of similar symptoms:

• acute pain when moving and, in severe cases, also at rest;
• Swelling, moderate in partial injury and extensive in complete rupture, with flattening of the joint contours and spreading beyond the joint
• Bruise;
• painful palpation at the site of injury;
• Limitation of movement and support of the limb, in severe cases, abnormal range of motion (uncharacteristic movements of the joint);
• Instability of the injured joint, possibly a visual change in its contours;
• a characteristic cracking or clicking sound when moving.

diagnosis

The diagnostic examination begins with a medical history and a clinical examination of the patient by the trauma surgeon. Various imaging methods are used to confirm the diagnosis and rule out concomitant injuries (e.g. fractures). First, an X-ray of the injured joint is made in two projections.

In this way, not only ligament damage can be identified, but also concomitant injuries that were not visible at the time - fractures, detached bone fragments, etc. An ultrasound scan can also be ordered to assess the soft tissue damage in the area of the injury and the extent of fiber separation, etc. to judge. If the severity of the injury requires surgery or if bone structures need to be identified, the doctor may recommend an MRI or CT scan of the joint.

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WHO treats torn ligaments?

A consultation with an orthopedic trauma surgeon is a good place to start.

A free telephone hour is available for patients from other cities and for patients who find it difficult to move around independently. Such a consultation allows you to consult with your OST doctor in advance about possible treatment plans and prognosis for your arthritis, as well as a list of required tests so that your next doctor visit is already as productive as possible.

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FIRST AID MEASURES FOR TEARED LIABIIONS: A CHECKLIST

• Do not put stress on the joint and let it rest.
• apply cold.
• Contact your doctor. Only a doctor can determine the extent of the injury. It is necessary to stabilize the joint. For this purpose, a plaster cast is traditionally applied in the trauma center. At a later stage, the plaster cast can be replaced with a modern, more comfortable equivalent - orthoses, and in the case of lighter forms or in the final stages of treatment - by taping.

The examination begins with taking a medical history, in which the fact and type of injury play an important role. A clinical examination follows, which always begins with a healthy joint. A number of clinical examinations are carried out, which clearly indicate the presence of an intra-articular injury. In most cases, these examinations provide a clear picture of the injury and a preliminary diagnosis is made. Additional tests are often performed to confirm the diagnosis:

X-rays are a common examination of bones and joints and give an immediate indication of the condition of the hard tissue. Read more about it.

A joint ultrasound or arthroscopy is a quick and reliable way to diagnose pain and assess the condition of a joint. Read more

MRI allows assessment of soft tissue damage, including ligaments, menisci, joint capsules, and adjacent tissues.

Computed tomography (CT) allows the creation of a three-dimensional model of the examined area and the detection of various lesions: inflammation, trauma, developmental anomalies, etc.

First aid

If you have an injury that causes pain or swelling, there are some simple things you can do to help with recovery.

• Immobilization of the injured limb with a splint;
• taking medication for the pain;
• Apply a cold compress to prevent swelling;
• Keep the injured limb elevated.

Then contact a specialist in secondary care with a comprehensive approach. Therapy is prescribed for each patient individually.

How the therapy is carried out

Conservative methods (bandages, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs) are usually used, but treatment of the dislocation depends on the severity of the injury. Treatment can last from one to six months. If it is ineffective and the ligament is severely torn, surgery is indicated.

Surgical treatment includes arthroscopy to repair the ligaments. Rehabilitation includes physiotherapy, massage treatments and a range of specific exercises.

If the examination reveals concomitant diseases, treatment of the spine and joints may be required.

First aid for sprained ligaments

In the case of an ankle sprain, timely first aid has a major impact on the regeneration of the injured ligament and determines the time until full recovery of joint function.

• First, the injured ankle should be cooled with ice wrapped in a towel for 10-15 minutes; after 15 minutes the treatment should be repeated. Such manipulation not only relieves pain, but also prevents the spread of swelling (under the influence of cold, blood vessels reflexively contract).
• The injured ankle should be left alone and no splint placed on the foot until the diagnosis is made. The foot must be fixed with a house or transport rail. Immobilization of the area should be maintained pending evaluation by a trauma surgeon or traumatologist.
• Place a pad under the foot to elevate it.
• Give a pain reliever (oral or by injection) if possible.

Symptoms of an ankle sprain

The symptoms of an ankle sprain depend on the extent of the injury and how many tendons are involved in the injury mechanism. A complete rupture of the ligaments of the ankle occurs only with a sprain. This condition is characterized by excessive mobility in all projections of the joint. The main symptom of a sprained ankle is.

• Severe pain that occurs at the time of injury (fall, impact, etc.);
• swelling around the injured area (medial or lateral ankle);
• bruising;
• extensive hematomas;
• localized increase in temperature (in the area of the injury).

When trying to move, the sufferer continues to experience painful sensations.

Repeated sprains of the ankle ligaments result in complete rupture of the tendon. A lengthy and complicated rehabilitation is then necessary. That's why the experts at the ArthroMedCenter recommend seeing a doctor at the first sign of a sprain. In order to exclude re-injury and the development of other pathologies, it is advisable to conduct comprehensive treatment, including rehabilitation.

Follow

After rehabilitation, the ligaments in the injured area are weakened. The leg requires care, as careless movements can cause re-injury.

To avoid breaking it again, special shoes should be worn that stabilize the ankle. If you play sports, you should wrap your legs with elastic bandages to reduce the stress on your limbs.

Conclusion

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If an injury doesn't seem serious at first glance, don't 'rest'. Injury can have serious consequences, become chronic and occasionally torment you with unpleasant sensations.

Also read:

Why the toes grind Why the ankle and what to do Why is the ankle swollen? How to choose an ointment for the ankle

folk remedies

Folk remedies for ligament and tendon injuries in knees, elbows, ankles and small finger joints usually contain medicinal plants, bee products, essential and/or cosmetic oils.

All of these ingredients are rich in bioactive natural substances, including phytoncides, anthocyanins, bioflavonoids, organic acids, polysaccharides, vitamins, micro- and macronutrients. In combination, they have a pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory effect and increase mobility.

Folk remedies for sprains of ligaments, muscles, tendons of the ankle, knee, hip or shoulder joint are prepared in small portions. They should not be stored for more than 2-3 days, even in the refrigerator. An exception is alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants.

diagnosis

When examining a suspected case, the doctor will examine various ligaments that may be damaged. The doctor can use special techniques to determine which ligament is torn.

If a more serious injury is suspected or if the diagnosis is unclear, X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are often done.

In modern medicine, the diagnosis of a knee ligament strain is not made for two reasons:

It is important to know exactly which structure was injured, as this is important for the further treatment of the patient. For example, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries often require surgical repair. In the case of medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, on the other hand, surgical intervention is rather rare.

It is not meaningful because the extent of damage cannot be determined from this diagnosis. Small lesions usually require appropriate, low-intensity treatment. In contrast, more serious injuries may require serious treatment, rehabilitation, and possibly surgery.

Therefore, if you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a knee ligament sprain, you should try to get more information. Find out which ligaments are damaged and the extent of the damage. As already mentioned, this is essential for further treatment and rehabilitation.

The appointment lasts 60 minutes, includes a diagnosis, the analysis of your MRI scan and a treatment plan and takes place both in person and online.

Treatment

The first two stages are usually treated conservatively. Your doctor will determine your treatment and recovery time. If you have a Grade I or II knee sprain, your doctor will likely recommend the following guidelines:

Your doctor may recommend wearing a knee brace for a short time and taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, nimesulide, or a coxib supplement to relieve pain and reduce swelling. When the pain in the knee gradually subsides, the attending physician will recommend a rehabilitation program. This is to strengthen the muscle mass around the knee. This is to help the patient stabilize the knee joint and prevent re-injury.

If a grade III cruciate ligament sprain or multiple ligament injury is diagnosed, treatment will depend on the specific type of sprain.

Grade III cruciate ligament injuries can be surgically repaired. A small piece of the body's own tissue (autograft) is used for this purpose. Arthroscopic, camera-guided surgery is performed in almost all knee reconstructions. This method is considered minimally traumatic and leaves little damage to the skin.
Grade III medial collateral ligament sprains are usually treated conservatively using the four principles outlined above, NSAIDs, and physical therapy. In some cases, however, surgery can also help to heal.
Serious sprains of the external collateral ligament are often repaired with surgery.

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