Health Facts by Dr Pasindu

  Can a Torn Ligament Heal Without Surgery? Image by Health Facts by Dr Pasindu Yes. Many torn ligaments can heal without surgery.   Grade 1 injuries and most Grade 2 partial tears are usually treated without an operation. Even some complete Grade 3 ligament tears can heal successfully with bracing and rehabilitation. However, whether a ligament will heal well depends on  which ligament is torn, whether the joint remains stable, the severity and location of the tear, other associated injuries, and what activities you need to return to . An ankle ligament tear, for example, is very different from a complete ACL tear inside the knee. Most acute ankle sprains — including many complete ligament tears — are managed without surgery, whereas a complete ACL tear causing knee instability in an active person is much more likely to require reconstruction. This is why an MRI report saying  “complete ligament tear” does not automatically mean you need surgery . Let me explain how...

How long does a Torn Ligament take to heal? Image by Health Facts by Dr Pasindu If you have been told that you have a  torn ligament , one of the first questions you will probably ask is: “How long will this take to heal?” The short answer is that a torn ligament may take anywhere from  a few weeks to several months  to recover. The exact recovery time depends on several factors: Which ligament is injured Whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn or completely torn Whether the joint remains stable Your age and general health Whether there are associated fractures, cartilage or tendon injuries How well rehabilitation is followed Whether surgery is required A mild ligament sprain may improve within a few weeks. A significant partial tear may require several weeks of rehabilitation, while a complete tear of an important stabilising ligament such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) may require months of rehabilitation and, in some patients, surgery. The important ...