How to Heal Ligaments

Medically reviewed by Luba Lee, FNP-BC, MS

Last Updated: November 7, 2021 References

Ligament injuries are somewhat common, especially for athletes. Some of the most common ligaments people injure include the ankle, foot, shoulder, and knee. While some ligament strains are minor and may heal on their own within several days or several weeks, other ligament injuries may require specialized treatment from trained medical professionals. Regardless, with care and the guidance of professionals, you’ll probably be able to recover from your ligament injury.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Treating Minor Ligament Strains at Home

1
Apply cold to the ligament. Make sure to apply an ice pack to the injury as quickly as you can. Do this by covering your skin with a towel and then placing a bag of ice on the injured area. Keep the ice on the injured area for 10 to 30 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. Continue to apply ice to the area for 2 to 3 days.^{[1]
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2
Compress the injured limb. After icing the area, you should compress the injury. Use some sort of elastic bandage to apply pressure to the area. Compressing the injury will help stabilize it and limit swelling.^{[2]
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- Make sure whatever compression device you use does not limit blood flow to the limb.
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3
Use crutches, if necessary. If you do need to get around, you should use crutches or similar devices to aid in movement. Crutches will take pressure off the injured limb and enable the healing process to continue without further stressing the ligament.^{[3]
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- Your doctor may recommend a knee walker or some other device instead of crutches.
4
Put a brace on the injured area. Braces used in conjunction with crutches or knee walkers. They are intended to stabilize the injured limb and to prevent further damage. Without a brace, you may not be able to walk, and if you do, you could wind up worsening your condition.
- Knee braces are one of the most common types of braces. They are commonly used to treat ACL problems.
- Braces are only effective for some people with ligament damage.^{[4]
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5
Elevate the injured ligament. Raise the strained ligament above your heart as often and as long as possible. This will reduce swelling. An ankle, knee, or foot can be propped up on pillows or a chair. If your wrist is injured, use books or a pillow to keep it elevated as you work.^{[5]
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Johns Hopkins Medicine
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6
Provide time for healing. Perhaps the most important element of healing a ligament is time. Unfortunately, it may take a very long time for a ligament to completely heal. This, though, depends on the level of injury.
- A grade 1 ligament injury may only take a couple days to heal.
- A grade 2 ligament injury may require you to use crutches or a brace for several days. In addition, you may need to withdraw from sports or exercise for up to two months
- A grade 3 ligament injury could require a brace or cast for over a month and could take weeks or months to health completely.^{[6]
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7
Supplement your diet with vitamins and nutrients. There are several vitamins that you will need for your ligaments to heal in a timely fashion. As a result, make sure you are getting enough vitamins and nutrients daily. The best way to get these is to have a diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, flax seeds, and fish. You can also take a supplement. Make sure to get enough:
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Zinc
- Antioxidants
- Protein^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Consulting Medical Professionals

1
Consult your doctor. Your primary care physician can evaluate the extent of your injury. They can provide treatment and relief for minor strains, and if it is more serious, they can refer you to an orthopedic doctor. If needed, you may even receive a prescription for anti-inflammatory medication.
2
Visit a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor. These doctors specialize in the skeletal muscular system and will be able to make a sound judgement about how to best treat a ligament injury. They’ll question you about the cause of your injury, symptoms, and then advise you about the most appropriate treatment.^{[8]
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- A specialist (like a rheumatologist or orthopedic doctor) might recommend surgery or some other course of action.
3
Talk to a personal trainer. Depending on the severity of your injury, you’ll want to consult a personal trainer about steps you can take to promote ligament healing. Ultimately, a personal trainer will likely recommend that you limit stress to the damaged limb while working out muscles that surround the damaged ligament.^{[9]
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- Ask your doctor if they can recommend a personal trainer.
4
Have your doctor run diagnostics. There are several diagnostics that will provide your doctor with information about the severity of your ligament damage. Without running these diagnostics, your doctor might not be certain as to its extent and whether damage impacts other ligaments, tendons, or bones.
- Your doctor will likely start with an X-ray. Although an X-ray won’t detect ligament damage, it will let the doctor know if there is a broken or fractured bone involved.
- After an X-ray, your doctor will likely prescribe an MRI. An MRI will create a picture of your skeletal-muscular system – including ligament damage.^{[10]
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  Johns Hopkins Medicine
  Official resource database of the world-leading Johns Hopkins Hospital
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Treating Your Injury Surgically

1
Get a reference to a surgeon. If the strain has not healed within two weeks of basic treatment, you may need surgery. Ask your doctor for a referral to a musculoskeletal specialist or to a surgeon skilled with ligament surgery.
2
Have reconstructive surgery. Some ligament damage, particularly ACL problems, can only be healed or corrected through surgery. If your damage is severe enough, your doctor will likely recommend surgery. When you undergo ligament surgery, your surgeon will likely replace your damaged ligament with a nearby tendon.
- Ligament reconstructive surgery is successful about 95% of the time.
- The reconstructive ligament will likely function just as good as the old one. It will also last you for the rest of your life.^{[11]
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  National Health Service (UK)
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3
Use a continuous passive movement machine (CPM). Your doctor will likely prescribe a CPM machine for you to use after your surgery. The machine will move your limb (often your leg) through a range of motions. It will start slow and with limited motion and gradually increase speed and intensity.^{[12]
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4
Commit to physical therapy. For most people, the only way to finish the healing process initiated by reconstructive surgery is to go through physical therapy. In physical therapy, a therapist will work with you to regain your full range of motion in a slow and measured manner.
- Your doctor will likely recommend you attend physical therapy three days a week.
- You’ll have to perform your physical therapy exercises at home every day.
- You could need days, weeks, or even months of physical therapy to completely recover.^{[13]
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  National Health Service (UK)
  Public healthcare system of the UK
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