Dense tissue formations that connect the bones of the skeleton and individual organs are called ligaments. Their function is not only to guide the joint, but also to hold it. Excessive loads or awkward movements can lead to ligament damage.
Degrees of damage
There are three types of ligament injuries that differ in severity:
- Stretching. First, mild degree. Characterized by rupture of individual fibers.
- Tear. There is a rupture of a significant part of the fibers, but the ligaments can still perform a supporting function.
- Gap. The third and most severe degree. It is characterized by a complete violation of the functionality of the shoulder, knee, ankle.
Main symptoms of tissue integrity disorders
The first symptoms of a torn ligament to look out for:
- Severe acute pain appears at the site of injury.
- There is a partial dysfunction of the damaged part of the body, it becomes difficult to move.
- Location of ligament tearstarts to swell.
- The skin becomes saturated red, hyperemia occurs.
Diagnostics of tissue tears
With a minor injury, the pain may be mild. Such patients, as a rule, do not immediately understand the causes and consequences of damage, so they go to the doctor rather late.
The diagnosis of a knee, shoulder or ankle ligament tear is as follows:
- The doctor conducts a visual examination (determines a change in the shape of the joint, redness of the skin) and palpates the damaged area (there is a specification of the local temperature increase, the degree of pain and swelling).
- An x-ray is taken.
- Ultrasound in progress.
- Magnetic resonance imaging being done.
As a result of all studies, the treatment of torn knee ligaments, shoulder or ankle is prescribed.
First aid for ligament injuries
When the first symptoms of torn ligaments of the knee or shoulder, as well as the ankle, are detected, the following measures should be taken:
- The first step is to limit the movement of the damaged area. To do this, you need to put a pressure bandage on it. Depending on the location of the injury (ankle, knee or shoulder), the procedure for applying it may vary slightly.
- The injured limb should be lifted up. For example, if there wastear of the ankle ligaments, then the victim is placed in a comfortable position (lying or sitting), and a pillow is placed under the leg.
- Apply something cold (such as an ice pack) over the pressure bandage to reduce swelling.
- If the victim feels very severe pain that he cannot endure, then he is given painkillers (for example, analgin).
- After that, it is imperative to go to the emergency room to have an X-ray done and treatment prescribed.
Treatment of knee injuries
The most important function of the knee joint is to connect and support the femur and tibia due to the large number of ligaments. There are four types of injury options in this area:
- internal lateral (characterized by external symptoms such as outward knee deflection);
- external lateral (most common cause is twisting of the leg);
- anterior cruciform (injury caused by a blow to the back of the knee or pressure in this area when the lower leg was in a bent position);
- Cruciform back (such an injury is possible in the event of a blow to the knee from the front or when the limb is overextended).
Performing unusual loads for the knee joint or sudden movements can lead to damage to the ligaments. During a tear, the muscle tissue is not subjected to integrity violations, but significant inconvenience still occurs. Therefore, first of allthe victim needs to be given first aid, and then go to the doctor directly to prescribe treatment. The essence of therapeutic measures is to quickly eliminate the pain syndrome and restore tissue integrity.
Depending on the severity of the knee ligament tear, treatment may be as follows:
- Puncture: performed in cases where there is very severe swelling or bleeding in the joint.
- The imposition of a tight or plaster bandage: not only the knee is fixed, but the entire area from the ankles to the upper thigh. If gypsum was applied, then it is removed no earlier than after one or two months, if there was a complete tear. In case of partial damage, it is enough to carry the splint for several weeks.
- Taking painkillers, applying ointments to relieve swelling.
Severe cases of tear may require surgery. But the operation is performed no earlier than five weeks after the injury. Surgery can be of two types: through open access or arthroscopy.
Tearing the cruciate ligament complicates the diagnosis, since during damage to the joint cavity, hemorrhage occurs. As a result, blood accumulations do not make it possible to fully assess the degree of joint mobility. This requires more research.
Depending on the speed of first aid, such a tear can only be cured by applying a splint (gypsum bandage). It should be worn for two months. Rehabilitation activities inin the event of a cruciate ligament tear, it consists in performing physical exercises aimed at developing the joint and undergoing a massage course.
Treatment of injuries of the shoulder joint
The integrity of the ligaments in this place can happen for two reasons. The first is that a tear is the result of an injury from excessive physical exertion, a bruise, a blow, and so on. The second - a degenerative disorder has occurred, the cause of which is age-related or physical wear of the joint (articular trophism).
In some cases, visual symptoms of damage may not be observed. But pain when trying to move and touch will definitely be. Swelling of the joint may appear only during therapy.
Treatment of torn shoulder ligaments:
- Imposition of a tight orthopedic splint for a period of several weeks. This is necessary so that the damaged area is fixed and not subjected to any stress.
- Cryotherapy is the use of cold compresses in the first days after an injury to relieve swelling. You can apply ice for no more than twenty minutes. Otherwise, you may get frostbite.
- Prescribing anti-inflammatory drugs (eg ibuprofen, naproxen, catorolac, etc.).
- Surgical operation. It is carried out using the method of arthroscopy, which provides for minimal violation of the integrity of the skin.
After therapy, it is necessary to perform a series of rehabilitation measures in order to fully recoverfunction of the shoulder apparatus. It is recommended to do appropriate physical exercises, apply physiotherapy, massage, acupuncture. It would be useful to rub warming ointments into the damaged area and make various compresses.
Treatment of ankle injuries
The most common cause of an ankle tear is the foot twisting in or out. This can happen both as a result of any physical activity, and through negligence. To the general symptoms of torn ligaments, spasmodic pains in the shin area, swelling around the joint, which is constantly increasing, swelling of the bones, immobility of the foot, are added. Bruising can appear in various places.
Ankle tear treatment may include the following measures:
- Applying cold compresses (ice) to the damaged area in the first days of injury.
- Applying an eight-shaped tight bandage. Depending on the severity of the injury, the bandage can be removed after two to three weeks.
- Puncture. Performed in the presence of a large tumor and hemorrhage.
- If the swelling does not go away after applying a tight bandage, then a plaster cast is applied. With its help, it is possible to fix the area from the fingers to the knee joint. A torn ligament in this case should heal in two to four weeks.
- A couple of days after damage to the integrity of the joint tissues, warm compresses can be applied.
The main condition for restoring the functionality of the ankle aftertorn ligaments - the correct application of the bandage. Depending on the location of the injury, it is applied a little differently:
- in case of damage to the front outer group of elements of the ligamentous apparatus, the foot should be in the pronation position, that is, the hanging side outwards);
- in case of damage to the distal tibiofibular joint, a bandage is applied to the ankle in a bent position;
- if the inner group is damaged, you need to bandage it in the supination position, that is, with the hanging side of the foot inwards.
If an ankle ligament tear is complicated by muscle damage, fracture or dislocation, then surgery is required. The surgeon in this case carries out reduction and fixation of bone fragments. He also stitches torn ligaments. After the operation, a plaster tape is applied to the injured ankle. This type of injury takes a long time to heal, and the recovery period can be three to six months.
When the ligaments of the ankle joint are torn, a type of therapy such as UHF is quite effective (it is based on the impact of an electromagnetic field with different frequencies on the human body).
In the future, it is mandatory to perform a set of exercises in which the muscles of the foot and lower leg, fingers will be involved. Baths, massages, paraffin packs and physiotherapy sessions are also recommended.
Treatment of tissue integrity disorders with folk remedies
In the treatment of various types of torn ligaments, various types of lotions andointments based on decoctions of herbs, gruel of various vegetables and plants that help relieve pain and swelling.
The most common traditional medicine recipes for this type of damage are:
- Vinegar, red clay and chopped apples are thoroughly mixed to make a slurry. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected area. This ointment has a warming effect, and also helps to relieve severe pain and is very helpful in combating inflammation.
- Garlic cloves are grated, then mixed with chopped eucalyptus leaves. The ointment must be boiled for five minutes before use.
- To speed up the recovery process, it is recommended to rub potatoes on a fine grater and apply it to the damaged area. You can also add grated onion or cabbage leaves to the gruel.
- The onion is rubbed on a fine grater and mixed with table s alt to make a homogeneous gruel. Then the resulting mixture is slightly heated in a water bath and applied for an hour and a half to the injured area. The compress will help relieve inflammation.
- Vodka compress. It relieves swelling very well, but it can be applied to the knee or ankle joint for no more than eight hours.
- Calendula ointment will help reduce swelling and reduce inflammation. To do this, the flowers are crushed and mixed with regular baby cream.
- They make compresses from the herbal collection of bodyaga (freshwater sponge). This herb acts as an absorbent,which is relevant for hematomas, bruises and edema of a different nature. You can apply compresses at intervals of once every one and a half hours. Before the procedure, it is better to wash the damaged area with a solution of laundry soap. Each time a fresh decoction is brewed.
- S alt is mixed with flour in equal proportions. Then they make a cake. It should be applied to the injury for the whole night.
Remember that the above funds can only be used as an auxiliary. They cannot replace basic treatment.
Rehabilitation after treatment
The recovery time after a torn ligament depends on the location and severity of the injury, as well as on how quickly and timely medical care was provided. The average time for the resumption of motor function, subject to medical recommendations, is about eight weeks. If the damage to the ligaments was very serious, then the rehabilitation period can be delayed up to six months.
Rehabilitation period consists in the implementation of all prescribed physiotherapy procedures and a set of light physical exercises. All actions are aimed specifically at developing the damaged area, as well as strengthening the ligamentous apparatus.
A set of exercises is developed by a specialist individually and depends on the type of damage and the specific patient. As you recover, physical activity increases. For example, if there was a tear in the knee ligament, then light physical exercises are usually prescribed first in the form of a warm-up, and then classes are added tosimulators (treadmill).
To make the rehabilitation period more successful, it is recommended to visit a he alth resort. You can also use additional tips of a folk character (for example, make various compresses, ointments, and so on).
Prevention of ligament injuries
To reduce the risk of an ankle, knee or shoulder tear, here are a few tips to follow:
- While walking and various physical activities, one should be careful and prudent, pay attention to the road surface and possible obstacles (holes, stones, and so on).
- Do not forget that the risk of injury in winter increases significantly.
- Before embarking on physical activities of a different nature (working out in the gym, cycling, running, and so on), it is necessary to warm up and exercise.
- If there is a risk of getting a tear, then it is imperative to perform a daily set of exercises aimed at strengthening the ligaments.
- Inclusion in the diet of a large number of fresh vegetables and fruits helps to strengthen the joints.
For those who have already had a torn ligament, it is recommended to use an elastic bandage before various physical activities. Use it to apply a bandage to a previously damaged area.
Don't forget that those who lead a he althy lifestyle and exercise properly have a very low chance of getting a torn ligament.
