Ligaments run along our joints and are predominately found in our hips, shoulders, knees, ankles and elbows. Their structure consists of tightly packed bundles of collagen, which are designed to resist forces.
Our ligaments provide stability and are responsible for movement. They act to ensure our bones at the joint do not twist too much or move too far apart.
How do ligaments tear?
If a force is applied in a direction that the joint is not designed to move in, tension rises in the ligaments, causing the collagen fibres to stretch. If the load becomes too great, the ligaments may struggle to maintain joint stability.
If the tension increases further, it could disrupt the collagen fibres and result in a torn ligament.
How serious is a torn ligament?
Torn ligaments can range in severity and are graded I, II, III.
Grade I
Disruption of some of the collagen fibres. Usually, a specific area of tenderness when touched, minimal swelling and normal range of movement.
Grade II
Disruption of a considerable proportion of collagen fibres. There may be significant tenderness when touched. Also, a large amount inflammation may affect the whole joint, making it difficult to function correctly.
Grade III
Complete disruption of all collagen fibres. There may be an audible ‘pop’ sound heard at the time of injury. Often immediately painful but may become pain free a short time after the injurious event.
There could be significant swelling, which may occur rapidly and impact movement.
Do torn ligaments heal on their own?
Ligaments injuries that are classified as either Grades I or II can heal on their own and do not need surgical intervention. Initial management may involve first aid techniques to minimise bleeding and swelling.
The aim is to promote tissue healing, prevent joint stiffness, protect against further damage, and strengthen the muscles that surround the joint.
A fully torn ligament, or Grade III tears, rarely heal naturally. Some can initially be treated conservatively, where the injured area is immobilised to help promote healing.
However, most of the time, surgery is needed. Surgery can help the joint heal correctly and reduce the chances of a potential re-injury. It can also repair the surrounding tissues and maintain the supply of fluid required for healing.
Without surgery, the joint could remain unstable, painful and require continuous care to restore the joint back to its full range of motion.
How long do torn ligaments take to heal?
The healing time can take weeks or even months since ligaments lack blood vessels, which means they have a low blood supply. They rely on nutrients from the surrounding fluid at the joint, and an injury often slows down this process.
What helps torn ligaments heal faster?
There are several ways that can help a ligament heal:
First Aid
Doctors typically prescribe a combination of bracing, physical therapy, heat therapy, and medication to help with healing. However, this can sometimes lead to a longer recovery time.
Within the first 72 hours of injury, you may need to ice the injured joint regularly, use a brace for extra support or a bandage to reduce swelling. It is important to elevate the injury, stay off your feet and rest.
Some people may be advised to use crutches to help keep weight off an injured knee, for example, and prevent further damage to the area until they have seen doctor.
Rest
If a body part is injured, you should give it some time to recover without the continual stress caused by daily activities. The recovery time will vary based on the injury, but you should plan to spend some time resting that area of the body.
To initially treat a ligament injury, it is advised to apply the RICE principle: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevate the injured area. The last three parts of RICE help to control the swelling, but the more time you can rest and allow the swelling to go down, the less internal damage you should do.
Medications
Your doctor may recommend some over-the-counter medications or prescription medications to help reduce swelling and pain. For extreme pain, your doctor may inject the injured area with steroid medication.
Physical Therapy
Your doctor may recommend that you see a physio a few days a week to help regain full range of motion. After a few sessions, you may be given exercises to continue at home and progress you back into activities for everyday life.
Surgery
If you have a severe injury, your doctor may recommend surgery. The surgery will depend on the type of injury. For example, a knee injury such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, a surgeon may remove the damaged ACL and replace it with a donor ligament.
After surgery, patients are advised to engage in a rehab program to help with recovery and get back to everyday activities.
Can you walk on a torn ligament?
Yes, you can, in most cases, walk on a torn ligament. But it is also essential to know when it is not a good idea for you to be weight-bearing or walking on an injury.
Once the pain and swelling subside and if there is no other injury in the affected area, you may be able to begin walking in a straight line, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
It’s important to avoid any twisting or change of direction movements until the ligament has fully healed.
It may be a good idea to consult a healthcare provider who would be able to help test the stability of the joint, assess the extent of the damage and give you the green light as to when to engage in more vigorous activities.
For a mild injury, it's recommended to wear a brace or use a mobility device, like crutches, to help with walking. The amount of time it takes to regain the ability to walk unaided depends on the severity of the injury. It also depends on how well you respond to physical therapy.
Top image credit: Getty Images
