Ligament Sprains & Treatment Options

What is ligament sprains?

Ligaments are strong bands of fibrous connective tissue that connect bones together. Ligament Sprains occur when a ligament has been stretched, damaged or ruptured. The most common mechanisms of ligament sprains include twisting, tripping or when contacted by a strong force. Ankle and wrist sprains are common examples and usually happen after a slip or fall or during contact sports.

You may have heard of an "ACL tear" or "MCL" tear, these are examples of ligament sprains in the knee joint, and commonly occur during sports.

According to the Canadian Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Society, around 25,000 persons get sprained ankles every day. Individuals who usually face such injuries are physically active individuals like runners who fall and twist their ankles, or baseball players who twist their knees while playing. Wrist and thumb sprains can be especially seen in sports such as skiing, because of falling on an outstretched hand.

Ligament Sprain Symptoms

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Bruising
  • Limited ability to move a joint
  • Difficulty bearing weight through joint
  • Hearing or feeling a "pop" at the time of injury

What Causes Ligament Sprains?

A sprain occurs when a ligament is over-stretched or a severe amount of force is placed on a joint. Sprains commonly occur in the following situations: walking on uneven ground, landing or stepping awkwardly on one foot, landing improperly while jumping, pivoting during athletic activity, landing on an outstretched hand during a fall, and hyperextension of the thumb during racquet sports or skiing.

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How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Physiotherapy can assist with managing pain, swelling and bruising, and can assist with regaining any loss of range of motion and strength. Physiotherapy will help get you back to your regular activities as quickly and efficiently as possible! Our physiotherapists (Gena and Nicole) are happy to work with your family physician or other health care professionals to deliver an integrated approach to your rehabilitation.

Prevention

Maintaining an active lifestyle, including regular stretching and strengthening, will help to prevent ligament sprains. Managing your environment as best as possible, (keeping driveway clear, walking on dry surfaces) is another form of prevention.

Why Pillars of Wellness?

At Pillars of Wellness, in Burlington, Ontario, we are proud to provide a truly integrated care approach that employs a variety of treatments to achieve a faster recovery. Our clinic offers various services such as physiotherapy, chiropractic, naturopathy, counselling, occupational therapy, yoga therapy, acupuncture, and holistic nutrition.

With multiple services and specialties in one place, you’ll get the best care possible — without having to look elsewhere. Pillars of Wellness is your one-stop-health solution, located right here in Burlington.

Last but not least, physiotherapy is typically covered under most extended health insurance plans. If you do not have coverage or have exceeded your coverage limits, you can consult with our Chiropractors. Our Chiropractor, Dr. Maggie and Physiotherapists have skills and techniques to treat and manage ligament sprains and associated symptoms.

Testimonials

"I recently hired their Physiotherapist for a sprained ankle. She came to visit me 3 times/week which made a huge difference as I couldn't walk very well. She was very professional and knowledgeable, with lots of patience. You can tell she is passionate and committed to helping others. The clinic was also very helpful and responded to my emails in a prompt manner" - Elora Cali

"This is the first time I give a review. I cannot say enough about this clinic. They are really amazing. Friendly, great customer service and helped me with a condition I have for years. Feeling better by the day. Thank you so much!" - Josephine Lagarde