Ligament Disruptions
Comprehensive Care for ACL Tears, Ankle Sprains & Kneecap Dislocation
Ligaments are tough ropes of tissue that connect bones to other bones. When ligaments are torn – also called a ligament disruption – it is an acute injury that requires immediate medical attention.
The tear may be partial or complete. Symptoms include sudden pain, inflammation, and instability of the affected joint. In some cases, a popping sensation may be felt. The severity of your symptoms will depend on how damaged the ligament is.
Ligament disruption most often affects the knee and ankle, but can also occur in the hip, shoulder, or any joint in the body.
Common Ligament Tears
Ankle Sprains
Sprains occur when ligaments are torn or overstretched. Sprains are the most common ankle injury, and one of the most common orthopedic injuries. It occurs when your ankle twists and the ligament is forced to stretch beyond its limits. Sprains also commonly occur at the knee and wrist.
Athletes in high-impact sports such as football or soccer, which involve sudden twisting, turning, and changing direction while running, are particularly susceptible to high ankle sprains. This injury affects the ligaments above the ankle joint and between the tibia and fibula (lower leg bones). If the injury is severe enough, surgery may be required.
ACL Tears
The ACL connects the thigh and shin bones. This ligament is located in the middle of the knee joint.
ACL tears tend to occur during athletic activities such as football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and skiing – basically anything that involves a sudden, awkward twist of the knee, especially when landing after a jump.
ACL tears are the most common type of ligament disruption. Nonsurgical treatment may be recommended for partial or complete ACL tears without knee instability, or for those who are not involved in a sport.
If an ACL tear is accompanied with other injuries, such as a torn meniscus or damage to the articular cartilage, joint capsule, or other ligaments, as well as knee instability, surgery will likely be needed. Athletes with a complete ACL tear who need to participate in their sport at a high-performing level will also require surgery.
Additional ligament disruption in the knee may involve the:
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL)
- Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)
Kneecap Dislocations
When the kneecap shifts out of its normal position, it is considered dislocated. This occurs when ligaments and muscles holding the kneecap in place are torn. It usually occurs due to direct trauma such as in sports injuries or car accidents.
A kneecap dislocation is different from the less common knee dislocation, in which the thigh bone and shin bone become separated – although this type of injury also involves ligament disruption such as ACL and PCL tears.
If the kneecap has not entirely shifted out of place, it is referred to as a subluxation instead of dislocation.
Once you suffer a patella dislocation, you are more likely to dislocate the bone in the future.
Proper immobilization is critical for ligament healing. Depending on the severity of your ligament tear, surgery may be recommended if other treatments are not effective.
Torn ACL? Contact Our Orthopedic Specialists in Naples, FL Today!
Ligament disruptions like ACL tears, sprained ankles, and kneecap dislocations are painful and require expert care. Get the treatment you need at the Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida. Call (239) 261-2663 or request an appointment now to make an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists.
