Ligament and tendon injuries are common in sports and physical activities, but they can also occur from accidents, overuse, or aging. These injuries can cause significant pain, swelling, and instability, limiting your ability to perform everyday activities. At Advanced Orthopedics, we specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of ligament and tendon injuries, helping you recover quickly and return to your active lifestyle.
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to bones, providing stability to the joints. Tendons are similar but connect muscles to bones, helping with movement. Both ligaments and tendons play a critical role in joint function and mobility. When these structures are damaged, it can result in pain, weakness, and limited range of motion.
Ligament injuries often occur when the joint is forced beyond its normal range of motion, while tendon injuries are commonly caused by overuse, sudden movements, or trauma. Common types of ligament and tendon injuries include sprains, strains, and tears.
Ligament injuries often involve sprains (stretching or tearing of the ligament) or tears (complete rupture). Some of the most common ligament injuries include:
The ACL is a ligament in the knee that stabilizes the joint. It is commonly torn in athletes who participate in sports requiring sudden changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, and football. An ACL tear can cause instability, pain, and difficulty moving the knee.
The MCL is located on the inside of the knee and helps stabilize the joint. MCL sprains are common in contact sports and can range from mild sprains to severe tears, causing pain, swelling, and instability.
The LCL stabilizes the outer part of the knee. LCL injuries often occur due to direct blows to the knee or twisting motions, leading to pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the knee.
Common in throwing athletes, the UCL stabilizes the elbow joint. Tears in the UCL are often seen in baseball pitchers and can cause pain and instability in the elbow.
Ligament injuries in the ankle, such as lateral ankle sprains, are common and occur when the foot rolls inward, stretching or tearing the ligaments. Ankle sprains can cause swelling, bruising, and difficulty bearing weight.
Tendons are prone to injury due to repetitive motion, trauma, or aging. Common tendon injuries include:
The rotator cuff is a group of tendons in the shoulder that allow you to lift and rotate your arm. Rotator cuff tears are common in athletes and individuals who perform overhead motions, such as swimming or weightlifting. Symptoms include pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder.
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Achilles tendon injuries are common in runners and athletes who perform jumping activities. Achilles tendonitis refers to inflammation of the tendon, while a complete tear (rupture) can cause severe pain and limited movement in the ankle.
Patellar tendonitis is an overuse injury that affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin bone. It's common in athletes who perform repetitive jumping or running motions. Symptoms include pain in the front of the knee, especially when jumping or landing.
Tennis elbow is an overuse injury that affects the tendons on the outside of the elbow. It is common in athletes who engage in repetitive arm movements, such as tennis players, and can cause pain and weakness in the elbow and forearm.
Similar to tennis elbow, golfer's elbow affects the tendons on the inside of the elbow. It often results from repetitive swinging motions and causes pain in the inner part of the elbow and forearm.
Common signs of ligament and tendon injuries include:
✔ Pain in the affected joint or muscle
✔ Swelling and bruising around the injury site
✔ Limited range of motion or difficulty moving the joint
✔ Instability or weakness in the joint (especially with ligament injuries)
✔ Popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury (in the case of tears)
✔ Tenderness to the touch in the area of the injury
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to seek medical attention to prevent further damage and ensure proper healing.
Treatment for ligament and tendon injuries depends on the severity of the injury, your activity level, and the joint involved. At Advanced Orthopedics, we offer a wide range of treatment options, from conservative management to surgical intervention:
🔹 Rest & Ice – Resting the injured area and applying ice to reduce swelling and manage pain.
🔹 Compression & Elevation – Using compression wraps or elevating the affected area to reduce swelling.
🔹 Physical Therapy – Targeted exercises to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and restore range of motion.
🔹 Medications – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation.
🔹 Bracing or Splinting – To stabilize the joint and promote healing during the recovery process.
🔹 Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy – Injections of your own concentrated platelets to promote healing and tissue repair.
If the ligament or tendon injury is severe or does not improve with non-surgical treatments, surgery may be necessary:
🔹 Arthroscopy – Minimally invasive surgery to repair damaged tendons or ligaments with small incisions.
🔹 Tendon Repair Surgery – Surgical procedures to stitch or reattach torn tendons.
🔹 Ligament Reconstruction – Reconstructing a torn ligament, such as an ACL tear, often with tissue from another part of your body or a donor.
🔹 Tendon Transfer – In some cases, tendons from other parts of the body may be used to restore function.
Rehabilitation is key to recovering from ligament and tendon injuries. Your treatment plan may include:
🔹 Physical Therapy – Strengthening exercises, range-of-motion techniques, and functional training to restore mobility and strength.
🔹 Sports-Specific Training – To help you return to sports or activities at a high level of performance.
🔹 Return-to-Play Assessment – Comprehensive evaluation to ensure you’re ready to return to your activities safely.
While some injuries are unavoidable, you can reduce your risk with these strategies:
✔ Warm-up properly before physical activity to prepare your muscles and joints.
✔ Strengthen muscles around your joints to provide stability and reduce stress on ligaments and tendons.
✔ Use proper techniques in sports and activities to avoid overexertion or sudden, unnatural movements.
✔ Take rest breaks to avoid overuse injuries, especially with repetitive movements.
If you've experienced a ligament or tendon injury, Advanced Orthopedics is here to help you recover and get back to the activities you love. Our team of specialists will work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan and guide you through the recovery process.
📞 Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to recovery!
