Ligament Injuries: Sprains, Tears, Laxity, Calcification, and Disease
Ligaments—fibrous bands connecting bone to bone—can be affected by several distinct pathologies:
- Sprains: Stretching or partial tearing from sports, falls, or trauma. Graded I–III by severity.
- Tears (ruptures): Complete disruption; often require surgical repair.
- Laxity: Chronic looseness from age, injury, or connective tissue disorders (e.g., Ehlers-Danlos).
- Calcification: Calcium deposits within the ligament, often from aging, chronic inflammation, or prior injury.
- Ossification: Ligament tissue turns to bone (e.g., posterior longitudinal ligament in DISH).
- Ligament diseases: Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and other systemic conditions can damage ligaments.
Accurate diagnosis—via clinical exam, MRI, or ultrasound—guides treatment from conservative care to surgery.
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