Ligament Repair Specialist

Woodlands Center For Special Surgery

Top Hand Surgeon, Foot and Ankle Surgeon, and Trusted Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialists, including expert Podiatrists, located in The Woodlands and Willis, TX.

Damaged ligaments can cause a great deal of pain and decrease your physical well-being. Thankfully, skilled surgeon Dr. Mark Ciaglia, DO, Dr. William J. Jordan, MD, Dr. Hemali Patel, DPM, and the team at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery in The Woodlands and Willis, Texas, can help restore your physical well-being by repairing your damaged ligament. To learn more, call the office or book your appointment online today.

Ligament Repair Q & A

What is a ligament?

Ligaments surround your joints with the goal of limiting their movement, as well as to give them support. They provide good structural support because of their tough and elastic nature. However, when a ligament is damaged, it makes the affected joint unstable and drastically reduces your range of motion.

You may be experiencing ligament damage if you have any of the following symptoms:

Pain
Swelling
Bruising
Instability
Stiffness

It’s crucial you schedule a consultation with Dr. Jordan, Dr. Ciaglia or Dr. Hemali Patel, DPM at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery to avoid any further damage to your affected joint.

What are my treatment options for ligament repair?

Some early medical treatments for ligament injuries your doctor may recommend include:

Physical therapy
Knee brace to use during exercise
Limiting your activity

These interventions can help improve the potential healing of your ligament, in addition to your strength, coordination, and range of motion. Nonetheless, depending on the severity of the ligament damage, surgery may be necessary to ensure the stability of your affected joint.

What can I expect after my ligament is repaired?

The surgeries to repair damaged ligaments tend to be relatively fast, lasting only an hour or two, and you can leave the hospital the same day of the surgery. While side effects are rare, in some cases you may experience bleeding at the surgery site along with pain and weakness. This should naturally subside a few days after surgery.

Your doctor will recommend you rest of affected joint for a few weeks following the procedure. For example, if you have surgery on an elbow ligament, do not overextend your arm and keep it in a splint or a sling until it heals. If it was a knee ligament that was repaired, you should use crutches when walking to limit the pressure on your knee.

Healing time depends on the original damage to the ligament, but in general, most people looking to return to sports participation can do so in 8-12 months.

If you have any questions about potential damage to your ligaments, call the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery today or schedule an appointment online.