Ligament strains, just like ligament tears, are typical sports injuries: They occur particularly frequently in sports such as soccer or skiing, but also during jogging. The ligaments in the upper ankle or knee are usually affected. The typical symptoms of a ligament strain include a slight swelling of the joint as well as pain when moving and putting weight on it. If the affected joint is extensively rested after the injury, the duration of the healing process for a ligament strain is usually no more than two weeks.
Causes of ligament strain
If an extreme movement in a joint results in a heavy load on the ligaments as well as exceeding the normal range of motion, this can result in a ligament strain. For example, the ligaments are subjected to severe stress when the knee is twisted or the foot is twisted. An external force such as a blow or a kick can also be the cause of a ligament strain. Ligament injuries can occur in sports as well as in everyday life – sometimes just placing the foot on the wrong place or slipping on wet ground is enough to cause a ligament strain. Ligament strains occur particularly frequently in the upper ankle joint – that is, the ankle. However, they also occur in the knee joint, elbow joint, wrist joint and shoulder joint. The sports in which most ligament injuries occur include jogging, soccer, tennis, squash and skiing. A ligament strain is the mildest form of ligament injury – it is also called a first-degree ligament injury. Even more extreme strains can result in a torn or ruptured ligament. Thus, a ligament strain can be considered a precursor to both of these ligament injuries.
Ligament strain: symptoms
Typical symptoms of a ligament strain are pain when moving as well as when putting weight on the affected joint. However, compared to a torn ligament, the pain of a ligament strain is much less severe. Nevertheless, it is not always possible for a layperson to distinguish it without doubt from a torn ligament. The swelling that occurs is also less pronounced in this type of injury than in a torn ligament. This can be explained by the fact that a ligament strain only causes overstretching of the ligaments, but not damage to the tissue. Therefore, hematomas, which are caused by bleeding into the tissue, are not among the typical symptoms of a ligament injury. In addition to pain and swelling, a ligament strain also results in loss of function and strength in the affected joint. Standing and walking are usually possible, since the joint remains stable, in contrast to a torn ligament. However, the joint is not fully loadable.
Preventing a ligament strain
It is never possible to prevent an injury such as a ligament strain with certainty, because a sudden, extreme movement can cause a ligament injury both in sports and in everyday life. However, the risk of a ligament strain can be reduced through specific training. To minimize the risk of injury, it is first important to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint in question. This additionally stabilizes the joint and relieves the ligaments. In addition, however, it is also advisable to train balance and coordination. Targeted coordination training can improve the interaction of the musculature as well as the running movement. To train the muscles in the ankle, bouncing on a mini-trampoline or standing on one leg on a therapy gyroscope are recommended. In addition, the muscles in the ankle joint are also strengthened by the following exercise: Stand with your front foot on the edge of a stair step, lower your heels as far as possible and then push yourself back up.
Function of the ligaments
The ligaments in the knee, ankle or wrist run along the outside of each joint and are responsible for its stability. In addition, they are also important for the movement of the joint. While the stability of the affected joint is largely maintained in the case of a ligament stretch, a significant loss of joint stability is observed in the case of a ligament tear. In both types of injury, there is also a limited functional capacity of the joint. Ligaments consist of connective tissue cells and are supplied by small blood vessels located between the bones and the ligaments.The ligaments in the joint are normally arranged in a wave-like pattern. However, extreme movement of the joint and severe stretching of the ligaments destroys this arrangement. In order for the ligaments to return to their natural position, the joint needs a lot of rest after a ligament injury.
