How severe is a ligament injury?

Ligament damage can vary from mild to severe and is categorised into grades, with grade 1 being the least severe and grade 3 the most severe. 

• grade 1 is where a ligament has been slightly overstretched or torn. This may cause swelling, bruising, and pain when weight-bearing

• grade 2 involves a partial tear, with the same symptoms as grade 1, but with more severe pain and some difficulty using the affected limb or putting weight on it

• grade 3 damage is where there’s a complete tear or rupture of the ligament, causing severe bruising, swelling and pain, and inability to weight bear