Ligaments are cords of tough, flexible fibrous tissue that connect bones together and provide support to a joint. While ligaments are extremely strong, an awkward stretch or twist can cause a strain injury. With enough force, they can be torn—the most severe ligament injury.
Commonly confused, sprain and strain injuries cause very similar symptoms but are actually injuries to different components of tissues in a joint.
One of the most common types of sports injuries, an ankle sprain is a stretch, micro tear or complete tear to the ligaments on the outer side of the ankle.
There are four ligaments that hold the bones of the knee together.
ACL tear
Common in soccer, football and basketball, an ACL injury is damage to the ligaments on the inside of the knee. The severity can range from a mild sprain to a full tear of the ligament(s). A torn ACL is a common sports injury that may require surgical intervention to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligament. ACL tears frequently require surgery.
MCL or LCL tear
A medial collateral ligament (MCL) or lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injury is a sprain or tear of the inner or outer knee ligaments. It is usually a result of an injury that occurs while participating in an activity that puts a heavy strain on the knees, such as skiing. Most MCL and LCL injuries will recover without surgery
PCL tear
Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is the least common type of ligament injury in the knee and frequently occurs from direct trauma or fall on the knee. Most PCL injuries will heal without surgery.
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is frequently injured in the elbow. This is also known as the Tommy John injury. Injuries most commonly occur in baseball from excessive pitching and can be acute or chronic injuries. Traumatic tears can also occur in falls or sports such as wrestling. The UCL is on the inside of the elbow and injury can be a mild sprain, partial tear or complete tear. Learn more about the elbow.
Shoulder ligaments are most commonly injured in dislocations of the ball and socket joint. These are generally forceful injuries and frequently require and emergency room visit to have the joint reduced (put back into place). A shoulder separation involves the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) which is the outer part of the collarbone and involves tearing of the ligaments that hold the joint together. Learn more about the shoulder.
The most common type of ligament injury is called a gamekeeper’s thumb. Gamekeeper’s thumb is a tear of the ligament between the base of the thumb and the wrist bones. These commonly occur during a fall when you’re holding something in your hand, such as a ski pole or the handlebars of a bike. Learn more about the hand.
Torn ligament symptoms will vary depending on the severity of an injury to a tendon, but may include:
Ligament injuries can be very painful similar to fractures and prompt evaluation is recommended. One of our physician providers can evaluate you and provide the best treatment plan for your injury.
Mild ligament injuries can be treated with non-surgical treatment such as the R.I.C.E. method (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation), over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication and pain relievers. Sometimes a brace or splint is needed for comfort and protection. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy as part of your treatment plan.
For severe ligament tears, surgery to repair or reconstruct the damaged ligament (reconstruction surgery) may be necessary to restore stability to the joint. Ligament surgery may consist of repairing or replacing the ligament. Sometimes a tendon graft is needed to hold the injured joint together. The tendon used may come from the injured person, known as an autograft, or may come from an organ donation, known as an allograft.
Following surgical repair, physical therapy is almost always recommended to restore a full range of motion.
For a sprain, the recovery time will depend on the severity of the injury but will usually take between two to eight weeks.
Rehabilitation and return to full function after a surgical repair of a torn ligament can take six to nine months.
Our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists will work with you to design a treatment plan that gradually increases motion and intensity.
No athlete wants to be sidelined with a ligament injury. A tear to a ligament may mean the end to a season or career. Luckily, there are some simple ways to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a tendon injury.
This includes always stretching and warming up before activity and exercise and understanding proper body posture. It also includes never playing through a ligament injury. Even small damage to a ligament can quickly worsen with further stress.
All athletes should follow healthy nutritional and hydration habits to help strengthen joints and the ligaments that support them. Vegetables, lean proteins, nuts and legumes will all help to prevent a ligament injury.
The health of your ligaments depends heavily on the strength and flexibility of the surrounding muscle groups. Working to improve balance, agility, flexibility and core strength will help to avoid the need for compensatory movements that can lead to injury.
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