Difference between ligament tear and rupture

Ligament tear and ligament rupture are manifestations of the same disease, but the severity of the disease is different. For example, ligament tear means that the ligament has been damaged. At this time, there is still a connection between the ligaments, and there is a partial strain or rupture. However, ligament rupture means that the entire ligament is completely disconnected. The severity of this rupture is much greater and the harm to the patient will be greater.

Difference between ligament tear and rupture

Ligament tear: The ligament is damaged, just like human skin is incomplete due to external impact. Ligament sprain is caused by excessive stretching, which makes it impossible to recover for a while. It's like a rubber band that has been stretched too thin due to excessive force. No matter what kind of condition you have, you still have to go to the hospital if you lose elasticity. Otherwise it will be bad for you over time and will be more difficult to cure.

Differential diagnosis of ligament rupture: 1. Ligament contusion: This is usually caused by movements beyond the range of joint motion during activities. The degree of ligament injury is not serious and redness and swelling will occur. 2. Ligament sprain: refers to the injury of soft tissues (such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, etc.) of the limb joints or body parts, without fractures, dislocations, skin and flesh damage, etc. The main clinical manifestations are pain and swelling at the injured site and limited joint movement, which often occur in the waist, ankle, knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow and hip. 3. Ligament strain: In vertebrates, ligaments are cords of connective tissue that connect bones to each other and run closely parallel to elastic fibers. After a ligament is sprained, there will be local swelling, pain, tenderness, and if there is subcutaneous bleeding, a cyanotic area may be seen.

Mitigation methods

1. Partial rupture: There is no blood accumulation in the joint. The X-ray in the valgus position shows that the medial joint space is not large. Local closure and elastic bandage pressure dressing can be performed. Early quadriceps exercise can be performed or the ankle long leg plaster brace can be used to fix the knee in varus and slightly flexed position for 3-4 weeks. After the plaster is completely dry, quadriceps exercise and walking can be started. 2. Complete rupture: In principle, surgical treatment should be performed. If the ligament is ruptured, it can be sutured directly; if the bone attachment is torn, it can be fixed with wire penetration or directly sutured to the periosteum and soft tissue. If there is avulsed bone fragment, fix it with wire or screws. If combined with meniscus damage, it should be removed. Patients with combined anterior cruciate ligament injury should be repaired first. Postoperative plaster fixation for 4-6 weeks. 3. Old injuries: Actively and persistently perform quadriceps exercises to increase joint stability. If the joints remain unstable after active exercise, surgical repair can be performed. The medial collateral ligament is replaced by the fascia lata or the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons. Injuries to the lateral collateral ligament are rare and rarely require surgery. 4. Knee cruciate ligament injury: For patients with anterior cruciate ligament combined with tibial spine avulsion fracture, the injury can be repositioned by hyperextension of the knee and posterior tibia push, and then fixed with a long leg plaster for 4-6 weeks. For those who cannot be reduced, surgical repair should be performed promptly. The fracture fragments are fixed with wire. For simple ligament rupture, fix it with plaster. For old injuries, conservative treatment is the main approach. If the joint is still unstable after exercise, surgical repair may also be considered. The posterior cruciate ligament does not need to be repaired.