Ligament sprain happens when a ligament is stretched or torn. Ligaments are tough tissues that connect bones. They are fibrous, strong wire like bands that grips the joint bones together. Ligaments support the joints and keep the bones in place. They allow the body to lift, lower, or rotate the arms and legs. A ligament sprain may involve one or more ligaments.

Causes:

A sprain is caused by a direct injury or sudden twisting of the joint. This may occur while playing sports, or maybe due to a fall or accident. Below are some factors that may increase the risk of a ligament sprain:

  • Overuse of the muscles or muscle fatigue
  • A sudden increase in the amount and intensity of sports training
  • Using sports equipment the wrong way
  • Wearing shoes that don’t fit or aren’t well suited for the activity

Symptoms:

Symptoms of a severe and sudden (acute) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury include:

  • Feeling or hearing a "pop" in the knee at the time of injury.
  • Sudden instability in the knee. (The knee feels wobbly, buckles, or gives out.) This may happen after a jump or change in direction or after a direct blow to the side of the knee.
  • Pain on the outside and back of the knee.
  • Knee swelling within the first few hours of the injury. This may be a sign of bleeding inside the joint. Swelling that occurs suddenly is usually a sign of a serious knee injury.
  • Limited knee movement because of swelling and/or pain.

After an acute injury, you will almost always have to stop the activity you are doing, but you may be able to walk.

Ayurveda concept behind ligament injury :

  • In Ayurveda, ligament is correlated to mamsa dhatu. Ligament injury causes imbalance in the vata and pitta doshas, and it usually occurs from outside factors like unexpected events.
  • Ayurveda treatment of ligament injury takes a more holistic approach. Ayurveda treatment aims at reducing inflammation and swelling and to restore the ligament to its proper healthy function. 
  • Ayurveda acknowledges energy imbalance, takes into consideration the amount of toxins (ama) a patient may have in their body, and assesses how well prana, the life-force energy responsible for all movement in the body, is flowing in the injury itself and in the patient’s body in general. 

Treatments:

The treatment modalities includes panchakarma, external therapies, internal medications, Activities, Advice of food and lifestyle changes.

Panchakarma – Nasya, Virechana, Basti – Depending on the site of injury

Externally – Abhyanga, Patra pottali sweda, Shastika shali pinda sweda, Kashaya Seka, Jaloukavacharan (leech therapy )

Sthanika Basti, Dhara, Pichu, Lepa

Internally –  Vedhanashaapana (Vata and Pitta balancing),Aampachanam

Balya (Strengthening)

Food Lifestyle changes:  

Its specific to the individual’s constitution, nature of work and geographical conditions.