Ligament damage can happen to almost any joint, although some joints are more prone than others. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone or bone to cartilage. These ligaments can become stretched or torn with a joint injury. While ligament damage can be very painful and limit your mobility, there are a few different treatment options that can be very successful.
Common Ligament Damage
Damage to a ligament is called a sprain, although sometimes the ligament can tear resulting in a much more severe injury. While a sprain can happen to any ligament joint, there are some joints that are more prone to sprains and ligament tears. These include:
- Ankle
- Knee
- Wrist
- Thumb
- Neck
- Back
These tears and sprains are very painful and tender to the touch. While most sprains will heal on their own with a support bandage, some sprains and most ligament tears require more intense treatment.
Treatments of Ligament Tears
The most well-known treatment for a ligament tear is surgical repair. Most ligament tears can be treated with minimally invasive, high tech surgery rather than open surgery. However, if there is extensive damage or the surgeon runs into complications, open surgery may need to be done. Surgery has its own potential complications, so it is a good idea to try other treatments first.
One of the best treatments now available, and provided by our office, is stem cell therapy. With stem cell therapy, use of a support bandage or brace and some physical therapy can often help ligaments heal. If you are interested in ligament tear treatments that do not involve surgical measures, contact us today for more information or to schedule your appointment.