Ligament injuries

Question 1

What are ligaments

Answer 1

Dense bands of collagenous tissue which span a joint and are anchored to the bone at either end

Question 2

What is the function of ligaments

Answer 2

to provide joint stability through different ranges of motions

Question 3

Describe the function of ligaments

Answer 3

Made from collagen fibres
Have fibroblasts within them
have sensory fibres for proprioception, stretch and sensation
They have vessels on their surface
Ligaments are crimped which means it allows for stretch

Question 4

Why are ligaments more compliant than tendons

Answer 4

They have lower composition of collagen and have more proteoglycans and water

Question 5

What is a common ligament in the ankle which is prone to rupturing

Answer 5

Lateral ligament

Question 6

What causes rupture in a ligament

Answer 6

When the forces of motion exceed the ligament

Question 7

What are the 3 main steps in healing

Answer 7

Haemorrhage, proliferative phase and remodelling

Question 8

What happens in the haemorrhage stage of healing

Answer 8

There is a haematoma which as it is being resorbed creates a vascular hypertrophic response which is then replaced by a heavy cellular infiltrate

Question 9

Describe the proliferative phase of healing

Answer 9

Production os scar tissue where scars were disorganised

Question 10

Describe the remodelling phase of healing

Answer 10

Matrix becomes more ligament like and the major differences in the structure, composition and function all persist

Question 11

When is conservative treatment done in ligament injuries

Answer 11

Partial ligaments, no instability and if the patients are poor candidates for surgery

Question 12

When is operative treatment done in ligament injury

Answer 12

When there is instability in the joint