Getting a ligament injury is something none of us wants to experience, yet it still happens. For those who don’t know, ligaments are crucial since they connect the bones of the body. Professional athletes are more prone to torn ligaments, but it can equally happen to everybody else.
If you’ve been injured recently, or you know someone who’s struggling at the moment, here are some tips on how to treat ligament injuries and fully recover:
1. Get proper rest
This goes without saying, but many people still prefer to be active despite getting hurt. Always consult your doctor before you decide to start doing anything physically demanding, and if possible, stay away from physical activities while you’re recovering. Avoid putting any weight on your knees (or any other body part that is injured), especially if it feels painful while doing so. If you’re worried about spending all that time at home, you can still work, read and do anything you like, but make sure you’re well rested so you’ll be able to recover much faster.
2. Physical therapy
Even if you’re not seriously injured, it’s still recommended that you do at least one round of sessions with therapists. Because ligaments are crucial to proper body functioning. If you’ve had surgery, then doing physiotherapy is a must, but still, there are many benefits of getting a professional therapist to guide you through the healing process. A reliable therapist can help you with repairing muscle strength and gaining functional stability back. In case it seems that your therapy is going nowhere, arm yourself with patience and persistence in order to achieve the best possible results.
3. Ice packs
Ice is a well-known remedy when it comes to treating injuries and inflammation. The benefit of using ice on your injury is that it acts as a short-term pain-reliever. Also, ice can reduce the swelling by limiting the amount of blood flow to the injured area. Just remember that it’s important to apply ice correctly to an injured area. You should never apply ice directly to the skin, instead wrap it in a towel or any other type of cloth beforehand. Keep it there for no more than 20 minutes, and it’s also recommended that you try to massage the injured spot with ice. Also, move the ice pack all over the swollen area.
4. Keep it elevated
During the recovery, it’s necessary to follow certain rules so your injury will heal faster. One of the golden rules is to keep your sore area of the body elevated a bit above the heart level. That way it is much easier to control the blood flow and minimise the swelling. Having a painful and torn ACL requires one to be calm and listen to the doctor’s orders, and every doctor would suggest using a couple of pillows to support the leg while it’s elevated. It’s recommended to elevate the body part for 2 to 3 hours a day.
5. Compression
Getting elastic bandages, or compression bandages as they’re also known, can drastically reduce pain and inflammation. You can either use compression from the pharmacy store or from your doctor who can also show you how to use it. It’s extremely important not to use compression and ice at the same time as that can cause frostbite. Also, don’t wrap the compression too tightly, so you wouldn’t slow down the blood flow. Wear it for 1-2 days and if the problem with pain and swelling continues, go and see your doctor.
So, these are the most common treatments for ligament injuries. In addition, you can also take painkillers before going to bed. Keep in mind to take them sparingly in order to avoid further complications. It’s necessary to do what your doctor said, and also, don’t expect the overnight recovery. Be patient and keep yourself occupied while you’re recuperating.
