OverviewA sprain is a stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle. Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation. Mild sprains can be successfully treated at home. Severe sprains sometimes require surgery to repair torn ligaments. The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. Video: Ankle sprainMost ankle sprains involve injuries to the three ligaments on the outside of your ankle. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that stabilize joints and help prevent excessive movement. An ankle sprain occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. This can stretch or tear the ligaments that help hold your ankle bones together. SymptomsSigns and symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:
When to see the doctorMild sprains can be treated at home. But the injuries that cause sprains can also cause serious injuries, such as fractures. You should see a doctor if you:
CausesA sprain occurs when you overextend or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint. Sprains often occur in the following circumstances:
Children have areas of softer tissue, called growth plates, near the ends of their bones. The ligaments around a joint are often stronger than these growth plates, so children are more likely to experience a fracture than a sprain. Risk factorsFactors contributing to sprains include:
PreventionRegular stretching and strengthening exercises for your sport, fitness or work activity, as part of an overall physical conditioning program, can help to minimize your risk of sprains. Try to be in shape to play your sport; don't play your sport to get in shape. If you have a physically demanding occupation, regular conditioning can help prevent injuries. You can protect your joints in the long term by working to strengthen and condition the muscles around the joint that has been injured. The best brace you can give yourself is your own "muscle brace." Ask your doctor about appropriate conditioning and stability exercises. Also, use footwear that offers support and protection. Oct. 27, 2022 We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is the ligament located in the knee joint. Ligaments are thick, strong bands of tissue that connect bone to bone. The LCL runs along the outside of the knee joint, from the outside of the bottom of the thighbone (femur) to the top of the lower-leg bone (fibula). The LCL helps keep the knee joint stable, especially the outer aspect of the joint. An injury to the LCL could include straining, spraining, and partially or completely tearing any part of that ligament. According to Orthogate, the LCL is one of the more commonly injured ligaments in the knee. Because of the location of the LCL, it’s common to injure the LCL along with other ligaments in the knee. The main cause of LCL injuries is direct-force trauma to the inside of the knee. This puts pressure on the outside of the knee and causes the LCL to stretch or tear. Symptoms of an LCL injury can be mild or severe, depending on the severity of the sprain or if it’s torn. If the ligament is mildly sprained, you may not have any symptoms at all. For a partial tear or complete tear of the ligament, your symptoms may include:
To diagnose an LCL injury, your doctor will examine your knee and look for swelling. They’ll also move your knee in various directions to determine where your pain is and how severe your symptoms are. If your doctor believes you may have a torn ligament, you may undergo imaging tests like X-rays or MRI scans. These tests will allow your doctor to see the soft tissues inside the knee. The treatment options for LCL injuries will depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle. For minor injuries, treatment may include:
For more severe injuries, treatment may also include physical therapy, rehabilitation, or surgery. Physical therapy strengthens and helps you regain range of motion. Surgery may include ligament repair or reconstruction. Surgery doesn’t usually treat injuries to only the LCL. However, the LCL is often injured along with other ligaments in the knee. In these cases, surgery is probably necessary. Shop for knee braces. It’s difficult to prevent knee ligament injuries because they’re often a result of an accident or unforeseen circumstance. However, several preventive measures can help minimize the risk of a knee ligament injury, including:
For minor injuries, the ligament may heal without any issue. However, it’s important to note that if the ligament got severely stretched, it may never regain its prior stability. This means that it’s more likely that the knee will be somewhat unstable and you could easily injure it again. The joint could become swollen and sore simply from physical activity or minor injury. For those with a major injury who don’t have surgery, the joint will most likely remain unstable and easily injured. You may not be able to do physical activities that require repetitive use of the knee, including running, climbing, or biking. Pain could result from minor activities like walking or standing for extended periods. You may have to wear a brace to protect the joint during physical activity. For those who have surgery, the outlook will depend on the severity of the original injury and the surgical procedure. Generally, you’ll have improved mobility and stability after the joint completely heals. You may have to wear a brace or limit physical activities in the future to help prevent reinjuring the knee. In knee injuries involving more than just the LCL, treatment and outlook may be different, as those injuries could be more severe. |
