Ligament Injuries
When it comes to joint injuries, it’s not just dislocations that can cause problems. Ligament injuries are also a common occurrence. In fact, in the United States alone, over 100,000 people suffer from torn ACLs every year. These injuries are often the result of sudden changes in motion, such as pivoting, which puts excessive strain on the ligaments and can cause them to snap.
Experts classify ligament injuries into three different grades based on their severity. Regardless of the grade, ligament injuries are typically accompanied by intense and sudden pain, as well as severe swelling.
Repairing a Ligament
Ligament injuries often require surgical intervention for repair since they do not have the necessary blood supply to heal naturally. The most common surgical procedure for ligament repair involves replacing the damaged ligament with artificial material. Alternatively, some surgeons opt to use a healthy tendon from a donor or another part of the patient’s body. The surgeon grafts the healthy tendon into the injured area, allowing it to function similarly to a ligament.