11 - Ligament injuries

Question 1

what are ligaments?

Answer 1

dense bands of collagenous tissue

Question 2

what do ligaments span?

Answer 2

a joint

Question 3

where are ligaments anchored?

Answer 3

to the bone at either end

Question 4

what type of fibres are present in ligaments?

Answer 4

collagen type 1 fibres

Question 5

3 sensory aspects of fibres of ligament?

Answer 5

proprioception, stretch, sensory

Question 6

compared to tendons, how much collagen do ligaments have?

Answer 6

lower % of collagen

Question 7

compared to tendons, how much proteoglycans and water do ligaments have?

Answer 7

ligaments have a higher % of proteoglycans and water

Question 8

compared to tendons, are ligaments more organised?

Answer 8

no - ligaments have less organised collagen fibres

Question 9

compared to tendons, what are the fibroblasts of ligaments like?

Answer 9

ligaments have rounder fibroblasts

Question 10

why do ligaments rupture?

Answer 10

the force exceeds the strength ligament

Question 11

3 responses which aid healing of a ruptured ligament?

Answer 11

hypertrophic vascular response (stop bleeding), proliferative phase (scar tissue), remodelling (function persists)

Question 12

why would a patient receive conservative treatment for a ruptured ligament?

Answer 12

poor candidate for surgery, no instability

Question 13

why would a patient receive operative treatment for a ruptured ligament?

Answer 13

instability, expectation (e.g. sportsmen), compulsory