3 Phases of Ligament Healing

Healing within an injured ligament is a complex dance of cellular processes, which “cause alterations in the biology and biomechanics of the injured ligament, leading to inadequate healing and tissue formation that is inferior to the tissue it has replaced” according to the Open Rehabilitation Journal. 

“The incomplete healing and lower integrity of the new ligament tissue results in ligament laxity, predisposing the joint to further injury.  The cycle of injury and laxity causes joint instability which, leads to chronic pain, diminished function, and ultimately, to osteoarthritis (OA) of the affected joint.”

Ligaments take a long time to fully heal, and this occurs in three phases: acute inflammatory, proliferative or regenerative repair, and remodeling.

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How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Ligament Injuries?

Along with physical rehabilitation, your chiropractor can work in collaboration with your other doctors to be part of a treatment plan for ligament injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, adjustments to improve stability, mobility, reduce pain, and improved healing can be an important part of ligament damage recovery.

Contact Dr. Gessert at Pivotal Chiropractic today to get started!

 

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Ligament Injuries

According to a study published in the Open Rehabilitation Journal: “Ligaments are composed primarily of water, collagen and various amino acids. Of the total ligament mass, approximately two-thirds is comprised of water and one-third, of solids.”

Just like muscles, ligaments can stretch, however, they’re not as forgiving as muscles. When you stretch a muscle, it’s like stretching a pair of yoga pants - they expand then contract back to their normal size. Ligaments, on the other hand, are like a pair of denim jeans - it takes much more force to stretch them, but when it does happen, you notice tears or fraying in the fibers.

When a ligament is stretched past its physical limitations, the fibers will tear. If the trauma is severe enough, the ligament can rupture all the way through. Damage to the ligament causes a permanent change in the ligamentous fibers.

How Can Chiropractic Care Help with Ligament Injuries?

Along with physical rehabilitation, your chiropractor can work in collaboration with your other doctors to be part of a treatment plan for ligament injuries. Depending on the severity of the injury, adjustments to improve stability, mobility, reduce pain, and improved healing can be an important part of ligament damage recovery.

Contact Dr. Gessert at Pivotal Chiropractic today to get started!