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Treating Ligament Injuries – Glastonbury, CT
Faster Healing & Lasting Pain Relief
Ligaments connect bone to bone. They’re the tethers or guy-wires that help hold the joints together. They also limit or restrict the movement of joints to help prevent damage. Technically, damage to a ligament is called a sprain, whereas damage to a tendon is called a strain. Yes, it’s a nit-picking difference, but there is a difference! However, for practical purposes, the two terms are often used interchangeably. We offer a range of regnerative medicine solutions for treating ligament injuries in Glastonbury, CT.
Are All Ligament Injuries the Same?
Ligament sprains are graded on a scale of 1-3, just like tendons. A Grade 1 injury involves over-stretching of the ligament fibers, but no actual or only microscopic tears. In a Grade 2 sprain, some, but not all, of the ligament fibers are torn. Grade 3 sprains are characterized by a complete tear of the entire ligament. Grade 1 sprains cause mild swelling and pain, but no joint instability. Grade 2 sprains cause moderate swelling, perhaps with some black and blue, as well as mild joint instability. Grade 3 tears have much greater pain, swelling, bruising, and cause joint looseness. Diagnosing a sprained ligament is done using the history of the injury and a physical exam, which is confirmed by ultrasound and/or an MRI.
How to Treat Ligament Injuries
Treating a sprain depends in part on the severity of the injury. The majority of Grade 1 sprains are treated conservatively, typically with modified/protected activity and possibly physical therapy. Grade 2 sprains require more aggressive and formal treatment, starting with physical therapy and splinting or bracing for a brief period. Grade 3 tears most often require surgical repair. Chronic sprains—those that fail to heal completely and cause recurring or chronic pain and impact activity—usually require regenerative medicine treatment like what we offer at the New England Stem Cell Institute, such as prolotherapy and PRP to stimulate the natural healing and repair response.