Many are interested in the question: what are ligaments and what diseases can occur when they become inflamed or damaged. Ligaments are dense connective tissue that connects the bones of the human skeleton.
Most of the ligaments are located in the articular part, they are woven into the so-called bag, have different directions and plexuses to strengthen the joints, promoting movement, direction or inhibition. There are joints that provide statistical direction, that is, they are able to support the human skeleton in an upright position, fix the arch of the feet, support internal organs in their position, etc.
Definition
The formation of ligaments occurs from the mesenchyme simultaneously with the skeleton. They consist of fibrous fibers of various density, elasticity, plasticity, length, etc. Some ligamentous strands have such a density that they can withstandload much heavier than the human body. For example, the ligaments of the hip joint are able to withstand a load of more than 300 kg.
Ligaments are serous formations between the internal organs, for the most part they are included in the articular parts. They are supplied with blood by nearby vessels. Innervation is provided by nerve fibers that also pass along this path.
Links by location
In the human system, ligaments are located throughout the body. So, by location, you can divide them into the following subgroups:
- Extracapsular - they are not included in the basis of the joint capsules, such ligaments include the collateral fibular ligament, including.
- Capsular - are the basis of the thickened fibrous membrane of the joint capsule. An example is the clavicular-brachial ligament.
- Intracapsular - they are located in the joint cavity and are protected by the synovial membrane. For example, knee cruciate ligaments.
Blood supply all these ligaments by passing blood vessels. And innervation is provided by nerve endings that run throughout the body.
Voice box or vocal cords
A person is able to pronounce sounds thanks to the vocal cords, which are a muscular-connective structure. In the larynx, they are located in such a way that they form a small gap. It is able to change size depending on the tension of the muscle tissue.
If as a result of various diseases there is a closure of the vocalligaments, then air does not penetrate into them, which means that a person has no voice. This happens due to swelling or inflammation. If the gap has only changed its size, then the voice becomes hoarse. What are vocal cords is now clear, but why is there a violation in them and how to deal with it?
Causes of vocal cord disorders
The gap between the vocal cords can change its size under the influence of internal or external factors. So the main causes of diseases associated with these muscular-connective structures include:
- hypothermia;
- vocal cord strain;
- air pollution and prolonged inhalation of polluted air;
- inflammation of the chronic course of the larynx and nasal passages;
- infections;
- allergic reactions;
- injury;
- appearance of various tumors.
Smoking negatively affects the vocal cords. If there are cracks in the ligamentous apparatus in the larynx, then the risk of re-infection increases.
Causes of disease of the ligamentous apparatus
Diseases inside the ligamentous apparatus can develop due to previous injuries. Usually, the normal operation of the ligaments is disrupted due to stretching.
Inflammation in the ligaments develops mainly in athletes, but ordinary people are not immune from such troubles. This happens regardless of the age and gender of the person. The danger is a sedentary image, after which the physicalactivity, this can also damage ligaments and tendons.
The state of the ligamentous apparatus is indirectly affected by the environment, that is, air pollution, and nutritional errors. A decrease in the immune system can also affect the duration of the inflammatory process.
The role of ligaments in the motor activity of the body
Joints will be stable if a person's ligaments are strong. They strengthen and guide the skeletal framework. The ligamentous apparatus plays a special role for the joints, which in their mobility are not limited by the shape of the bones articulated in them. For the normal functioning of the hip, shoulder and knee joints, it is necessary that the ligaments are elastic and capable of stretching.
How the disease manifests
If there is inflammation in the joints, then you need to know about its symptoms in order to start treating the ligaments as soon as possible. Here is how this state can manifest itself:
- Appearance of puffiness.
- The temperature rises at the site of the inflammatory process.
- Feels sore.
- Presence of local hemorrhage or bruising.
- Difficulty in moving the affected joint.
A characteristic sign of inflammation in the joint is the presence of constant dull pain. Due to the fact that the ligaments hurt, the person hardly moves or moves the joint. Do not ignore all these symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
Diagnosis of diseases of the muscles and ligaments
Most often, a muscle ligament injury is initially diagnosed by questioning the patient. A thorough inspection of the damaged area is carried out. After that, the person is sent for an additional examination, which includes the following procedures:
- X-ray.
- Computed tomography.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Arthroscopy, in which an endoscope is inserted into the damaged joint, showing the contents of the site.
- Electromyography.
- If the visit to the doctor was about inflammation, then you need to take a blood test.
What are ligaments and how disorders are diagnosed in them, of course, it remains to be found out how to treat them.
Features of the treatment of the disease
How to treat ligaments? Treatment will depend on which ligamentous section has failed or is inflamed. But in general, the principles of treatment will be similar. They are based on the following events:
- Ensuring complete rest of the injured ligament.
- Pain relief.
- Depending on the condition of the ligaments, conservative or surgical treatment may be prescribed.
- A set of rehabilitation measures is prescribed, which include massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy.
Vocal cord treatment techniques
In order to make sounds, the ligaments of the vocal region must be well stretched. But if tension is felt, then it must be removed with therapeutic measures. The basis of therapy for the restoration of ligaments is the following actions:
- Taking appropriate medications, such as expectorants, anti-inflammatory drugs, treatment of inflamed areas with antiseptic drugs, etc.
- Physiotherapy procedures. This can be electrophoresis, UV irradiation, UHF, etc.
- Surgical intervention is used if necessary. It is usually indicated for the tumor process, the ineffectiveness of drug therapy, or the onset of complications.
- As an auxiliary treatment, folk remedies are used.
All these measures are used depending on the complexity of the situation and the cause of the disease. Treatment is carried out at home, only with an operative indication will it be necessary to place the patient in a hospital.
Any treatment should begin only after diagnostic measures have been taken.
If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, then the restoration of the ligaments will occur in a short period. But in order to avoid all these violations in the work of the ligamentous apparatus, it is necessary to observe preventive measures: to avoid injuries and the negative impact of environmental factors.
In case of violation of the ligaments of many systems, auxiliary treatment measures are used. So, for example, in case of damage to the ligaments in the ankle joint, wearing orthopedic insoles is indicated.
Sometimes the disease becomes chronic. In this case, auxiliary therapy will be needed in the form of taking vitamin complexes, chondroprotectors and agents that increase immunity. Now you know what ligaments are, how are theytreat and what to do to avoid the diseases associated with these compounds.
