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Ligaments are bands of connective tissue that strengthen joint connections. Due to their fibrous structure, ligaments are often damaged, and athletes most often struggle with ligament injuries. What is worth knowing about ligaments and what is their role in the body? How are ligaments different from tendons? How is the ligament damaged?
Ligament – a brief description
A ligament is an anatomical concept that defines the strands of durable connective tissue which, on the one hand, connect the bones and, on the other, strengthen the movable connections between them. The structure of the ligaments makes them very inflexible. This, in turn, means that overstretching the ligaments can lead to their stretching, rupture or rupture. Some ligaments have an advantage of elastic fibers in their structure. An example of such ligaments are the yellow ligaments that occur between the vertebral arches. Knee ligament injuries are a common condition of athletes. The cruciate ligaments usually rupture as a result of direct trauma. The number of ligaments in the human body is very large, and some of them are really strong. One of the stronger ligaments found in the human body is the ilio-femoral ligament.
What role does the ligament play?
The primary task of the ligaments in the human body is to strengthen and support the structures in which the ligaments themselves are located. The ligaments that are part of the skeletal system are divided into extra-articular and intra-articular ligaments. For example, cruciate ligaments, which are located in the knee joint cavity, affect the direction of movement in the joint, limit the deflection beyond the mobility of the joint, and prevent excessive deviation of the parts of the bones that combine to form the joint.
Ligament vs tendon – what’s the difference?
It is not uncommon that trauma patients do not distinguish between a tendon and a ligament. Therefore, it is worth remembering that a ligament is a band of durable connective tissue, the task of which is to connect bones and support this structure. They are distinguished by limited flexibility, which prevents them from stretching. The tendon, on the other hand, is a fibrous strand with a silver-gray color. The tendon is made of compact connective tissue and is an extension of the muscle to the point of its attachment. The tendon’s task is to transfer the force of muscle contraction to the skeletal bone elements. The distinguishing feature of the tendon is very high strength, despite low flexibility.
Ligaments – the most common damage
The ligaments may be damaged as a result of direct or indirect injuries. Typically, the ligament is stretched, ruptured, torn or ruptured. The injuries most often concern the posterior and anterior ligaments in the knee joint. The symptoms of knee ligament damage include:
- the feeling of escaping knee combined with sharp pain and a characteristic sound of a crunch or crackling in the joint;
- knee pain that is so severe it is impossible to walk;
- severe swelling that wears off with time.
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If the ligament damage is not consulted with the doctor immediately after the injury, changes in the joint will progress, which will complicate further treatment. The most common method of a ruptured ligament is surgery, which is performed under full anesthesia. Often, surgery is preceded by arthroscopy, which allows you to see the damaged ligament.