Ligament Injuries

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Ligament Injuries

Ligament injuries are common. Chances are, you know someone who fell and sprained his wrist, or tripped and twisted her ankle.

About Your Ligaments

Your ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect your bones to other bones. They help stabilize and support your joints.

If one of your ligaments becomes stretched or torn, you may have pain, swelling or bruising. Your joint may feel unstable and, in some cases, you may be unable to move it or put weight on it.

Types of Ligament Injuries

Common ligament injuries include:

Ankle sprains
Wrist sprains
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Your ACL connects your thigh bone to your shin bone at the front of the knee. It helps move your knee back and forth.
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears. Your PCL connects your thigh bone to your shin bone at the back of the knee.

Lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tears. Your LCL connects your thigh bone to your calf bone.
Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears. Your MCL connects the thigh and shin bones on the inside of your knee. It helps control sideways motion in the knee.
Iliotibial (IT) band syndrome. Your IT band is a ligament that runs from your hip to the knee. It can become inflamed, causing pain on the outside of your knee. IT band syndrome is especially common among runners.

If a ligament injury has you hobbling, turn to Mercy for prompt diagnosis and outstanding care.

Treatment for Ligament Injuries at Mercy

Many ligament injuries, including mild sprains, can be treated at home. But others need immediate care from a medical professional. If pain, swelling or instability makes it hard for you to move your joint, it may be time to see your doctor. He or she will need to check the severity of your injury and rule out other problems, such as torn tendons or a dislocation.

Your treatment plan will depend on several factors, including the type and severity of your injury. Treatment options for ligament injuries may include:

Rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE).
Medicine to reduce pain and inflammation.
Surgical treatment, including arthroscopic surgery, may be necessary if you completely tear a ligament, or injure several ligaments at once.

Orthopedic rehabilitation to strengthen and stretch your muscles and ligaments, and improve joint range of motion.
A brace to support your injury while it heals.

Whether you’re treated at a Mercy urgent care, emergency department or by one of our orthopedic specialists, you’ll receive the care and support you need to recover from your injury and return to your normal activities.