Ligament & Joint Pain

Ligaments and joints work together to allow many different bodily functions, from running to writing. Ligament and joint pain is a common condition which can result from many different injuries and diseases. Because it is associated with motion (such as walking or working with one's hands), it can prevent patients from going about their daily routines.

Function

• Ligaments and joints are associated with one another but are not the same. A joint is defined as any area of the body where two or more bones meet (connected by membranes, cartilage and other cushioning substances). A ligament (a fibrous tissue) is one of these soft, connecting materials that binds the bones of a joint together. Thus, ligaments are a smaller part of the overall joint and one element that keeps it working.
  Ligament and joint pain occur in a number of areas where bones meet, with the knee being one of the most common places of concern. Patients may also experience ligament and joint pain in the elbow, ankle, back, hand, foot, wrist, shoulder, neck and hip.

Causes of Joint Pain

• Joint pain is the more common of the two, and it has many causes. Autoimmune diseases, which include rheumatoid arthritis, are a major culprit. Joint pain is also a symptom of diseases brought on by pathogens and diet, such as gout, mumps, measles, Lyme disease and hepatitis. Injuries, such as overuse (sprains) and fractures of the bone can also result in joint pain. Problems with the bones themselves, such as osteoarthritis and osteomyelitis, can also lead to joint pain by throwing off the balance of the joint. A bone that is not working properly may also pinch or press the connecting material that holds it to the other bones in a joint, causing pain.

Treatments

• Depending on the cause and area of joint pain, doctors will prescribe specific therapies for a patient to follow. In addition, anti-inflammatory medications can often reduce pain and swelling. For joint pain that is not arthritic in nature, rest and exercise can improve the joint's strength and resistance to pain. Frequent warm baths, massage and stretching exercises should also help. Many patients may try to self-medicate with over-the-counter solutions, but if a person has pain that lasts for more than three days or has a high fever, those are sure signs that a doctor needs to be consulted.

Ligament Pain

• Most minor ligament injuries that do not need serious medical attention should completely heal within a week or two. A ligament issue that has not cleared up in two weeks could cause long-term problems, as the ligament could remain chronically stretched, torn or strained. Ligament is a connector between bones, so if it is not functioning properly, bones will likely be affected as well, causing larger issues. Because ligaments are connected to the portion of the autonomic nervous system called the sympathetic nerves, pain may not be confined to the area of damage.

Treatment

• Some ligament pain may be caused by an underlying nerve condition, which must be taken care of before the ligament pain can be treated. Otherwise, strengthening exercises can reduce pressure on joints, while again anti-inflammatory agents are used to cope with swelling and pain. However, often special injections are required to facilitate the injured ligament's repair or regrowth.