A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue that connects bone to bone. Ligament damage is commonly seen in the clinic. There are multiple ligaments present along all the joints of the body. The most commonly damaged ligaments I see in the clinic include the ligaments of the ankle, wrist, shoulder, collarbone, hip, and knee. A ligament becomes damaged when there is a large force applied to a joint than the ligament can withstand which results in a tear of the ligament fibres. Ligament tears are split into three grades depending on the degree of damage caused.
Grade 1 tear occurs when there is a partial number of fibres torn, which is referred to a mild tear. This form of tear can be treated with exercise and mobility prescription along with therapeutic modalities and dry needling.
A grade 2 tear occurs where a greater number of the connective tissue fibres are torn, which is referred to as a moderate tear. This degree of tear will have a longer recovery period but can be treated with the same protocols as above.
A grade 3 tear, otherwise known as a rupture, is a complete tear of the ligament fibres. Depending on the clients age, their needs and the location of the ligament injury there is a possibility a personalized rehabilitation programme with continued strength and conditioning can treat a grade 3 tear. However, in most cases surgical intervention is often needed to reattach the ligament in place. This is commonly seen with knee injuries such as the ACL.