You can have a ligament sprain if the ligament- a tough band of fibrous tissue connecting two bones in your joints, is stretched beyond their normal range of motion, causing them to tear or pull apart.
What are the causes of a ligament injury and sprain?
Sprains can happen when a person falls and twists their body in a way that forces the soft tissues connecting the bones to stretch beyond their normal capacity, tearing or injuring them.
You can experience a ligament sprain or injury in the following body parts:
Ankle. It is the most common area to get a sprain. You can experience an ankle sprain if you walk or run on awkward surfaces or fall on a slippery floor.
Knee. It is relatively common if you pivot in an athletic activity or twist your knee in an accident.
Wrists. You can suffer a ligament sprain if you fall and land on your wrists.
Thumb. Thumb spraining can happen while playing sports like tennis or when you accidentally twist your thumb.
Shoulder and spinal cord. Less common but may happen due to accidents, including car crashes.
You can experience acute soft tissue injuries like a ligament sprain from a car accident. Car accident survivors commonly suffer from stretched or torn ligaments in the ankle, wrists, back, or any other part of the body that has been twisted out of its normal position because of the crash's impact.
All ligament sprains, including those from car accidents, can be grouped based on their degree of severity:
Mild (Grade 1): The ligament is stretched but still intact. There is mild pain and swelling in the affected area with some minor bleeding;
Moderate (Grade 2): The ligament, in this case, has been partially ruptured, causing heavy bleeding with severe swelling and pain. It can cause difficulty walking;
Severe (Grade 3): This involves a complete tear of the ligament, causing unbearable pain and swelling in the affected area. There can be a feeling of complete fracture and dislocation as the person will be unable to bear his weight.
What are the symptoms of ligament injury and sprain?
The symptoms of a torn ligament will depend on the severity of the sprain or injury. Some of the symptoms typical for all ligament injuries are:
Pain that does not improve in one to three days
Swelling that does not reduce in one to three days
Bruising
Trouble with moving the joints
Hearing a popping, snapping, or crackling sound at the time of injury
In case of a more severe ligament sprain, you can have the following symptoms:
Inability to move or put your weight on the affected part
Having a feeling of numbness in the affected area
Having pain in the bones of the injured joint
You need to contact immediate care if:
If the sprain does not get better with time after you treat it at home.
The pain or swelling gets worse.
You have a very hot temperature and have a fever or chills that can suggest an infection.
How are ligament injuries and strains diagnosed?
Risk Factors:
You can be at risk of suffering from a ligament sprain or injury in the following cases:
If you start a rigorous training program too quickly
Where you continue to do physically demanding work even when you are too tired to carry on
If you wear ill-fitting footwear or wear high-heeled shoes regularly
Where you pick up a heavy object that can twist your body, leaving you with a sprained ligament injury
Not using the correct lifting techniques while dealing with heavy weights
Where you overstress your joints and ligaments
Diagnosis:
A sprained ligament injury can be diagnosed using a physical exam followed by imaging tests like:
X-ray: It can rule out a fracture or help determine a bone injury where there is one.
M.R.I.: It can determine the degree of severity of the sprain or injury.
What is the treatment for muscle injury and strain?
The treatment of ligament sprains can include self-care in the form of the R.I.C.E. approach, medications, followed by physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The R.I.C.E. approach:
It included the following steps:
Rest: Avoid physical activities and restrict movement in the affected area to reduce pain and swelling.
Ice: Apply an ice pack or ice wash to the affected area for the first few days after the injury.
Compression: Wrap the affected area with a plastic bandage to stop swelling and help the sprain recover.
Elevation: Elevate the sprained area above your heart level to reduce swelling.
Medication:
Your doctor can prescribe painkillers and anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen to reduce pain and swelling in the area.
Physical therapy & rehabilitation:
A physical therapist can use gentle exercises to improve mobility, maximizing strength and stability in the injured joint. The rehabilitation strategies can include supervised rehabilitation, education and counseling, and a recommendation for surgery if required.
Can a chiropractor help you if you have a ligament injury or sprain?
As chiropractic care focuses on alignment and adjustment of the spine, joints, ligaments, and muscles with the other body parts, it can significantly eliminate pain and discomfort from sprains without unnecessary surgery or medication. If you are looking for a holistic and natural treatment option for your ligament injury that does not have any side effects, consider working with a well-known chiropractor. A chiropractor will look at your ligament sprain and provide a recovery plan to help to avoid the injuries from returning. Here are some chiropractic techniques that are used for the treatment of ligament sprains:
Chiropractic adjustments. A sprain can result from misaligning the musculoskeletal network from its normal position. Chiropractors can use adjustments to bring the bones back into place to heal the body entirely without any side effects.
Massage technique. The chiropractor uses gentle massage techniques to improve circulation and reduce pain and swelling in the affected area.
Other methods. To heal your body after a ligament injury, other methods chiropractors use can include heat and cold therapy, electrical massage stimulation, and physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Visit Accident Care Chiropractic for Ligament Injury Sprain
A ligament sprain or injury, if left untreated, can create severe problems in the long run. If you are suffering from a sprained ligament either from an auto accident, a sports injury, or for any other reason, our doctors at Accident Care Chiropractic can help you. We're voted as a top-rated clinic ten years in a row, so don't delay.
Our service area extends to Portland, OR; Vancouver; Salem; Hillsboro; and beyond. So if you are experiencing a ligament sprain or injury, reach out to us today to schedule a consultation!
