Torn ligaments/ligament injuries - Information on therapy (2024)

FAQs

What is the best treatment for torn ligaments? ›

Doctors have ways to treat ligament and tendon injuries. Less severe ones may recover on their own with rest. Many people also need bracing and medicine to help recover. Some people need surgery to repair a torn or ruptured tendon or ligament.

For most partial tears (grades 1 or 2), surgery is not needed and a full recovery can be gained through personalized physical therapy. Treatment focuses on strengthening of the quadriceps, hamstring and gluteal muscles, while restoring normal mobility as the ligament heals.

For minor tears with microscopic damage, it may take up to 6 weeks for a full recovery as long as you don't do anything to perpetuate the injury (i.e., like exercising before your doctor clears you to do so). Obviously, the more severe the tear, the longer it will take to recover, especially if surgery is required.

A torn ligament can result in varying degrees of pain and discomfort, depending on the extent of the injury. It may produce heat, extensive inflammation, popping or cracking noises, severe pain, instability within the joint and an inability to put weight or pressure on the joint.

In case of ligament sprain or rupture, doctors generally will recommend using the knee normally. Walking should not cause any more damage. However, make sure to walk with your heel down first. In the case of recovering patients, gradually increase the activity duration.

Rest. The generally accepted wisdom on how to initially treat a ligament injury can be summed up in one acronym: RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Long-term prognosis after tearing a ligament

Level 1 and level 2 sprains will often be fully recovered within three to eight weeks, meaning you should be able to return to your normal activities and have full mobility in that time.

A fully torn ligament, or grade 3 tear, can cause chronic pain and joint instability. Complete tears rarely heal naturally. Since there's a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed. Surgery also helps the joint heal correctly and reduces the chances of re-injury.

Tendotrex forte is ideal for tendonitis, arthritis (osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid arthritis), bursitis, ACL tear and ligament injury. The Tendotrex Forte advanced formula helps reduce pain, improves healing of injured fibres and improves joint lubrication, flexibility and mobility. Key Ingredients: L-Arginine.

As a physical therapist, I am often asked by patients, what is the worst ligament to tear? The quick answer is that the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is most likely to be considered the worst ligament in the knee to tear.

How do you know if a torn ligament is serious? ›

So with that said, if you had to choose an injury, breaking a bone is a pretty good one to have. It's a lot better than tearing a ligament (just ask Rondo, Brady, or Welker). Bone is one of two tissues in the body that heals without leaving a scar.

Can A Ligament Tear Heal Itself? Grade 1 and 2 tears have the potential to heal themselves as the ligament is still intact. Because a grade 3 ligament tear is a complete rupture then the capacity to heal itself is much less.

Rest: Don't put weight on the injured area for 24 to 48 hours. This includes not lifting with an affected wrist or elbow. If you physically cannot put weight on an injured knee or ankle, see your doctor.

In addition to the RICE method, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help mitigate the swelling and discomfort. Depending on the extent of the injury, your primary care physician also may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the area and help safely restore range of motion.