Torn Ligament in Foot

Torn Ligament in Foot

Tearing a ligament in the foot is a fairly common injury. There are several home remedies available to ease the pain of a torn foot ligament and to hasten healing. However it is impossible to completely restore a torn ligament to its original strength, so you are much better off taking measures to prevent tearing in the first place.

Symptoms of Torn Ligament in Foot

• Intense pain, often worse than when a bone breaks
  
• Inability to walk without pain or completely
  
• Swelling
  
• Bruising
  
• Warm, tender skin in the affected area

Ligament Sprains Grades

Grade 1	In a grade 1 sprain, a few collagen fibers have been damaged. This creates a localized inflammatory response that is characterized by pain.
Grade 2	Grade 2 sprains feature damage worse than grade 1 in the collagen fibers. It causes a greater inflammatory response with intense pain, as well as swelling.
Grade 3	Grade 3 sprains indicate extensive damage to collagen fibers that includes the ligament completely rupturing. It causes intense pain, joint instability, and joint effusion. In some cases, surgery might be required to restore stability.

Remedies for Torn Ligament in Foot
Tears, breaks and sprains are all painful and trigger many of the same symptoms. Before choosing a treatment for a torn ligament, you must be sure it is indeed a tear. A visit to the doctor will be necessary to rule out a broken bone or sprain. In addition to visiting your doctor, there are several things you can do to ease the pain and speed the healing of a torn ligament.

Basic Remedies

• Keeping your foot elevated immediately following and in the days and weeks that follow reduces inflammation. In a seated position or lying on the bed, place several pillows under your injured foot. It should be elevated higher than your heart and occasionally repositioned to prevent stiffening.
  
• 
  
  Use ice packs for intervals of 15 minutes at a time throughout the day for up two days after your injury. Keeping ice on your injury for more than 15 minutes at a time can injure your skin and affect the overall healing time, so be sure your ice breaks are at least 15 minutes between applications.
  
• A compression bandage on a torn ligament helps ease the pain and reduces swelling. Use even pressure to wrap an elastic bandage from mid-calf down to your toes. The bandage should be tight, but it should not cut off the circulation.
  
• Stabilize the joint with a gauze bandage keeps compression on the injury and reduces pain by impeding movement. It reduces pressure on the injured ligament and prevents painful, unexpected movements. When a joint is not stabilized, it can be jostled or moved by surprise, which is extremely painful when a ligament is torn.

Natural Options

• 
  
  Turmeric gets a lot of attention for its anti-Cancer benefits, but it can also boost the health of ligaments. Turmeric has an intensifying effect on bromelain. Consuming turmeric twice a day is believed to speed healing time by about three times. Its anti-inflammatory properties are also helpful for easing pain and speeding the healing of a torn ligament.
  
• Horsetail is an herbal remedy made up of several nutrients and other healing ingredients, including silicon, potassium and manganese. Silicon strengthens connective tissue and improves overall condition of ligaments in the body, which can also help you prevent tears. Horsetail is taken as a tincture mixed with water. It can be brewed as a tea and consumed up to four times per day.

Supplements and Medications

• 
  
  Supplementing your diet with certain nutrients helps you heal faster. Choose supplements with anti-inflammatory properties, such as bromelain and zinc. Each can be taken daily to help speed healing.
  
• Using over-the-counter medication, such as ibuprofen, can ease the pain and reduce the swelling of a torn ligament in the foot. If you are taking any other medications or concerned about the side effects of over-the-counter painkillers, speak with your doctor.

Foot Exercises

• Once your doctor gives you the go-ahead, you can try exercising your foot to rehabilitate it. These exercises are also effective for preventing torn ligaments. Sitting on a tall chair or surface allowing your ankle to hang loosely, trace each letter of the alphabet in the air. If exercises are extremely painful, stop moving your foot immediately.