Sports Injuries
How do you know if you have a ligament injury?
A ligament injury is more likely after a twist if you felt a pop, swelled within hours, and the joint now feels unstable. Only examination — and sometimes MRI — can confirm it.
What ligaments do
Ligaments hold bones together so a joint can be trusted under load. When one is stretched or torn, the joint may feel as if it will not hold you.
Typical story
A football tackle, a cricket dive, or a landing from a jump. You may have continued for a few minutes, then found the joint swelling and unreliable.
When to seek care
Instability, locking, rapid swelling or inability to continue sport are good reasons to be seen. Do not test the joint with more matches while you wait.
Treatment overview
Partial injuries often recover with bracing and physiotherapy. Complete tears of some ligaments, such as the ACL in an active person, may need reconstruction.
Questions
Can a ligament heal without surgery?+
Some can, depending on which ligament and how complete the injury is. That decision is made after examination, not from a video.
Consultation
Want this checked properly?
Book an orthopaedic consultation in Mira Road if the problem is not settling.