Wednesday, 28 September 2005, 15:56 GMT 16:56 UK
Healing ligament damage
Ligament injuries in athletes are common especially around the knee and ankle.
WHAT IS A LIGAMENT?
A ligament is a short band of tough, flexible tissue, made up of lots of individual fibres, which connect the bones of the body together. They can be found connecting most of the bones in the body.
HOW?
Twisting, or landing on a knee or ankle that is over-extended.
A heavy landing or awkward turn when the ligaments around a particular joint are at full-stretch can cause it to tear away from the bone.
Or even tear apart.
The four different grades of injury are:
Partial ligament tear
Complete ligament tear
Partial bone tear
Complete bone tear
WHAT KIND OF PAIN?
Sudden onset of pain and severe swelling.
TREATMENT?
Rest, ice and steady recovery program.
RETURN?
Between 4 and 12 weeks.
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