Ligament Sprains
A sprain is an injury that damages a ligament. A ligament is a band of tissue that connects two bones
across a joint. There are also 3 grades of ligament sprain:
Grade 1 and 2 sprains are less severe. The ligament remains intact but there is damage to it.
Grade 3 sprains is when the ligament completely tears and is sometimes referred to as a
rupture or tear.
Ligament sprain Damage response
The primary damage response to a ligament sprain is the inflammatory phase:
This can last for 3-5 days.
Chemicals are produced and there is bleeding in the tissue.
This produces swelling in the joint.
Healing response
(Blood clotting)
The healing response to a ligament sprain includes blood clotting.
Blood Platelets form a mesh over the damaged tissue.
Fibroblast cells help lay down collagen tissue in the blood clot.
Scar tissue re-modelling
Also present in the healing response is Scar-tissue re-modelling. This can last up to a year. It involves
the strengthening of collagen tissue produced during the healing process. The collagen tissue doesn't
have a lot of strength when it is first laid down however it gradually increases its tensile strength
over time. The person should not exert too much force on to the area during this time but should
take part in physiotherapy and strengthening exercises instead.
A sprain is an injury that damages a ligament. A ligament is a band of tissue that connects two bones
across a joint. There are also 3 grades of ligament sprain:
Grade 1 and 2 sprains are less severe. The ligament remains intact but there is damage to it.
Grade 3 sprains is when the ligament completely tears and is sometimes referred to as a
rupture or tear.
Ligament sprain Damage response
The primary damage response to a ligament sprain is the inflammatory phase:
This can last for 3-5 days.
Chemicals are produced and there is bleeding in the tissue.
This produces swelling in the joint.
Healing response
(Blood clotting)
The healing response to a ligament sprain includes blood clotting.
Blood Platelets form a mesh over the damaged tissue.
Fibroblast cells help lay down collagen tissue in the blood clot.
Scar tissue re-modelling
Also present in the healing response is Scar-tissue re-modelling. This can last up to a year. It involves
the strengthening of collagen tissue produced during the healing process. The collagen tissue doesn't
have a lot of strength when it is first laid down however it gradually increases its tensile strength
over time. The person should not exert too much force on to the area during this time but should
take part in physiotherapy and strengthening exercises instead.
