Ligament Injuries

Ligament injuries are common in sports that require twisting movements and sudden changes of direction. These injuries occur when a joint, such as the knee, is extended beyond its normal range. This overextension results in a partial or complete tear of the ligaments that support the joint.

Ligament injuries in the ankle and knee are common among athletes. Injuries of the ankle ligaments account for a large number of sports injuries. The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) are frequently injured. Probably the most commonly injured ligament of the knee is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Most ligament injuries are minor sprains that can be treated by conservative methods.

What is a Sprain?

A sprain occurs when an athlete falls and lands on an outstretched arm, slides into base, or twists a knee with his or her foot planted firmly on the ground. These examples and similar traumatic events cause the ligaments that connect the ends of the bones together to overstretch and tear. This type of ligament injury is called a sprain.

Sprains can range from a minor tear to a complete rupture of the ligamentous tissues. Sprains occur in either the upper or lower joints of the body. The most frequently sprained joint is the ankle. This is probably due to the fact that the ankle supports most of the body's weight and is involved in many activities. Ankle sprains are the most common type of ligament injury. See Ankle Sprain for more details.

Sprains are usually graded according to the extent of the injury. Grade I and Grade II sprains can usually be treated conservatively with ice, rest, and physical therapy. A grade III sprain can place athletes at higher risk for permanent joint damage and instability. An operation may be necessary to successfully repair a Grade III sprain.

The symptoms of a sprain are typically pain, swelling, and bruising of the affected joint. Symptoms will vary with the intensity of the injury. Serious sprains (Grade III) are ligament tears or ruptures that result in the inability to use the affected joint and may lead to permanent instability. Less serious sprains (Grade I and Grade II) may only cause pain with movement and are usually treated by non-surgical means.

Many sports activities place athletes at risk for sprains. These include football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and many others. Repetitive activities can also cause a sprain. While not all sprains are caused by sports activity, a few tips can help you avoid a sprain:

• Wear proper footwear
• Stretch before you workout
• Warm up properly before activities
• Do not run on slippery or uneven surfaces

What is a Torn Ligament?

In sports that place great stress on the joints, especially football and basketball, it is possible to tear one or more ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee is often torn by a rapid direction change while running or as a result of some other type of violent twisting motion. Ligaments can be torn by being extended forcefully beyond their normal range, or as a result of a fall or impact. In such cases, other structures will incur damage as well. Severely torn or ruptured ligaments may require reconstructive surgery.

Especially debilitating is the unfortunate combination of a torn medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligament with a torn medial meniscus. This type of knee injury can cause considerable disability and time off sport. It typically arises from a combination of inward forcing and twisting of the knee joint.

Symptoms of a Torn Ligament

The symptoms following a torn ligament can vary, depending on the location and extent of the injury. Usually, the joint swells within a short time following the tear. This is due to bleeding from torn blood vessels in the damaged ligament. The intense pain and loss of function will debilitate most althetes. The affected joint may feel like it wants to slip backwards. The pain and swelling from the initial injury will usually subside after a few weeks, but the joint may still feel unstable.

A torn ligament often results in instability in the joint where the tear has occurred. This creates an inability to trust the joint for support. The instability can be long-term and, if left untreated, may lead to other problems such as arthritis.