ErgoInfo
Ligament Strain/Tear
What Is a Ligament Strain/Tear?
Ligaments are strong, thick bundles of fibrous tissue that connect bone to bone providing stability to joints. They often occur in opposition across a joint, allowing for movement in different directions and stabilization — no movement — of the joint.
When a joint is destabilized in an extreme position, the ligament is stretched beyond its normal capacity, usually resulting in a tear of the ligamentous fibers, known as a sprain. Sprains vary in severity from mild to severe. Mild sprains are where only a few ligament fibers are overstretched or torn (Grade 1). Severe sprains are where the entire ligament tears into two separate pieces (Grade 3).
A ligament sprain or tear usually occurs via sudden trauma but may also occur due to overuse (repetitive stress placed on tissues with inadequate recovery).
The joints most susceptible to sprains are the ankle, wrist, elbow, and knee.
Ergonomic Risk Factors
FORCE
-
External mechanical force – force placed upon the body leading to joint destabilization (e.g., bodyweight or outside objects)
POSTURE
-
Awkward postures (e.g., unbalanced loading, extending joints beyond an individual’s normal range of motion, etc.)
TEMPERATURE
-
Cold environment decreases muscle and joint flexibility
COMBINATION EFFECT
-
Many or all of the risk factors act in synergy to increase the risk of developing ligament sprains/tears
inadequate
recovery time
-
Similar muscle actions performed multiple times in a short period
-
Sustained muscle contractions without enough rest
Specific Recommendations for Prevention
-
Avoid/minimize forceful exertion when possible
-
Decrease external forces
-
Minimize extending joints beyond normal range of motion
-
Minimize movements on uneven or slippery terrain
-
Adequately prepare and warmup musculature prior to movement
-
Take regular breaks
-
Increase overall muscle flexibility
-
Prepare according to temperature – increase warmup in cold conditions
Comments are closed.