Ligament injuries

Question 1

What are ligaments?

Answer 1

Dense bands of collagenous tissue (condensations capsule)

Question 2

What is the role of ligaments?

Answer 2

Joint stability through range of motion

Question 3

What are ligaments anchored to?

Answer 3

They span a joint and are anchored to bone

Question 4

Ligament versus tendons - Collagen content?

Answer 4

> Both collagen type 1
Ligament have less collagen than tendon as a percentage
Ligaments have less organised collagen fibres

Question 5

Ligament versus tendons - proteoglycans and water content?

Answer 5

Higher percentage of proteoglycans and water in ligaments

Question 6

Why do ligaments crimple?

Answer 6

To allow stretch

Question 7

What types of sensory fibres are present in ligament structures?

Answer 7

> Proprioception
Stretch
Sensory

Question 8

When do ligaments rupture?

Answer 8

Forces exceed strength ligament:
> Expected
> Unexpected (position/muscle)
> Rate load

Question 9

Healing of a ligament rupture?

Answer 9

1) Inflammation/Haemorrhage
2) Proliferative stage
3) Remodelling

Question 10

Treatment in ligament rupture?

Answer 10

Conservative:
> Partial
> No instability
> Poor candidate surgery

Operative:
> Instability
> Expectation (sportsmen)
> Compulsory (multiple)