Ligament Damage
Ligament damage occurs when the band of tissue that connects bones around a joint is suddenly torn or stretched further than its normal range, resulting in injury.
What is ligament damage?
Ligaments are tough, flexible bands of tissue that connect your bones and hold them in place. They are located around your knees, ankles, elbows, shoulders, and other joints, allowing movement between your bones, but are limited in flexibility.
Ligament damage occurs when a ligament is twisted or stretched further than its normal range or suffers an impact.
Sprains, strains, and tears are common ligament injuries. They commonly affect the ligaments in the ankles, knees, wrists, back, neck, fingers, and thumbs.
At our innovative Orthopaedic centre, our expert orthopaedic surgeons can diagnose ligament damage and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
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At the time of your injury, you may feel a snapping or popping sensation accompanied by severe pain.
Other symptoms include:
swelling
bruising
continued pain that can range from mild to severe
the affected joint may feel unstable or about to give way
reduced range of motion (how well you can move your joint)
Most ligament damage is caused by a forced bend or stretch in a ligament, such as rolling your ankle when missing a step, twisting your knee during sport, or landing on your outstretched arm.
Ligament damage can also occur due to overstretching your ligaments or repetitive stress on a joint.
Risk factors for ligament damage include:
participating in sports such as football and basketball
anatomical factors
using the incorrect technique during sports and activities
not warming up properly before exercise
wearing unsuitable footwear
being over 30 years of age
being overweight or obese
not exercising regularly
being female (for some types of ligament injuries)
poor diet
At your Welbeck consultation, you will be seen by a consultant orthopaedic surgeon, who will ask you about your symptoms, general health, medical history, and any medications you take regularly. They’ll ask you about when the injury occurred, what symptoms you felt at the time, and any treatments you’ve tried previously.
They’ll also perform a physical examination of the affected part of your body.
Your consultant may order imaging tests such as an MRI or X-ray to assess the severity of your ligament damage and check for fractures and other issues.
At the end of your appointment, your consultant will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms, physical examination and imaging scans. They’ll recommend the most appropriate treatment based on the severity of the injury, when the injury occurred and other factors like your age, general health and activity level.
Ligament damage can't always be prevented, but you can reduce your risk of ligament injuries by:
warming up properly before sports or activities
strengthening the muscles around your joints
improving your balance with exercises such as standing on one leg
wearing the proper footwear for the sport or activity you are doing
using the correct technique during sports
stopping an activity when you feel pain
following a healthy, nutritious diet high in vitamins, minerals and healthy fats
Ligament damage is usually treatable, and complications are rare. However, in some cases, untreated ligament injuries can lead to long-term issues such as chronic pain, joint instability, reduced range of motion, a higher risk of further injuries, and osteoarthritis in the affected joint.
Treatment for ligament damage depends on the severity of your injury and how long you’ve been experiencing symptoms.
For minor ligament damage, at-home care includes rest, icing the joint, wearing compression bandages, elevating the limb, and taking over-the-counter painkillers.
Physiotherapy can also help rehabilitate the ligament and get the joint back to its full range of motion.
In more severe cases, where your ligament is torn, your consultant may recommend a minimally invasive surgical procedure called an arthroscopy (keyhole surgery) to repair your damaged ligament.
At Welbeck, our orthopaedic surgeons are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
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Frequently asked questions
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
Yes, mild ligament damage, such as grade 1 and 2 injuries, can heal on their own with conservative treatments such as over-the-counter painkillers and the RICE method.
However, if you have a complete tear in your ligament (grade 3), you’ll usually need surgery to repair the ligament, ensure proper healing, and prevent future complications.
Your consultant will recommend the best treatment for you depending on the severity of your ligament damage.
How long it takes to recover from ligament damage varies depending on the severity and location of your injury, your age, general health, and activity level. Recovery also depends on the type of treatment you had (surgical or nonsurgical).
In general, a mild (grade 1) ligament injury can take around 2 to 3 weeks to heal, a moderate (grade 2) injury takes around 4 to 6 weeks, and severe (grade 3) tears can take 6 to 12 weeks or longer.
Make an appointment with a consultant if you have severe pain, swelling or are unable to put weight on the affected body part following an injury.