Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons

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	Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons

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Signs, symptoms and indicators | Contributing risk factors | Recommendations


	The most useful therapy for ligaments and tendons that have been stretched or torn is Prolotherapy. This wonderful therapy is discussed in the treatment section of your report. If ligaments do not heal within several weeks, they may remain chronically stretched, torn, or weakened. We generally assume that soft tissue injuries will heal or that the damage can’t be that bad. While ligament pain may be confined to the injury site, it can also refer pain to distant body parts through sympathetic nerves of the autonomic nervous system. As the primary function of ligaments are to connect bones to bones, if a ligament is stretched, or torn, then too much movement between the bones may occur. This extra movement is sometimes perceived as a popping, clicking, catching, or feeling of weakness between the bones. Muscles may then respond by going into spasm in an effort to tighten the loose area. Muscle stretching at this point may offer only temporary relief. Muscle strengthening exercises may also be prescribed, but really, the tendon needs to be strengthened directly for things to come into balance and harmony again. Surgery is sometimes required, but Prolotherapy should be tried first unless the tendon is completely severed.

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons:

Symptoms - Skeletal

(Severe) chronic joint pain

Double-jointedness

Risk factors for Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons:

Low Progesterone or Estrogen Dominance

It is important for females, who want to keep their ligaments and tendons strong, to keep progesterone levels at a maximum level. Progesterone stimulates the injury healing process in connective tissue by encouraging osteoblast and fibroblast proliferation, thus encouraging bone and soft tissue growth. Progesterone has been shown to increase collagen synthesis and decrease hydroxyproline concentrations in postmenopausal women. Progesterone, therefore, has a direct effect on preventing collagen breakdown.

Manganese Requirement

Vitamin C Deficiency

Ligament, tendon, cartilage, muscle, bone, and teeth all require vitamin C for proper healing and maintenance. Many pathological conditions are attributable to abnormal or insufficient collagen synthesis, such as scurvy and vitamin C deficiency.

Symptoms - Skeletal

Having had dislocations

Recommendations for Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons:

Surgery/Invasive

Prolotherapy

KEY

		Strong or generally accepted link
		Proven definite or direct link
		Highly recommended

GLOSSARY

Cartilage: Specialized fibrous connective tissue that forms the skeleton of an embryo and much of the skeleton in an infant. As the child grows, the cartilage becomes bone. In adults, cartilage is present in and around joints and makes up the primary skeletal structure in some parts of the body, such as the ears and the tip of the nose.

Collagen: The primary protein within white fibers of connective tissue and the organic substance found in tendons, ligaments, cartilage, skin, teeth and bone.

Fibroblast: Any cell or corpuscle from which connective tissue is developed. Fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin.

Nervous System: A system in the body that is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia and parts of the receptor organs that receive and interpret stimuli and transmit impulses to effector organs.

Osteoblast: A bone-forming cell.

Postmenopause: The postmenopausal phase of a woman's life begins when 12 full months have passed since the last menstrual period and any menopausal symptoms have become milder and/or less frequent.

Prolotherapy: A single or series of injections that stimulates the body to regrow, tighten, and strengthen ligaments or tendons. It is unequaled for pain relief and restoration of normal function for any body joint where connective tissue is weak or has been damaged.

Scurvy: A disease that is caused by a lack of vitamin C in the diet. It is marked by weakness, anemia, edema, spongy gums, often with open sores in the mouth and loosening of the teeth, bleeding in the mucous membranes, and hard bumps of the muscles of the legs.

Spasm: Involuntary contraction of one or more muscle groups.

Vitamin C: Also known as ascorbic acid, Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant vitamin essential to the body's health. When bound to other nutrients, for example calcium, it would be referred to as "calcium ascorbate". As an antioxidant, it inhibits the formation of nitrosamines (a suspected carcinogen). Vitamin C is important for maintenance of bones, teeth, collagen and blood vessels (capillaries), enhances iron absorption and red blood cell formation, helps in the utilization of carbohydrates and synthesis of fats and proteins, aids in fighting bacterial infections, and interacts with other nutrients. It is present in citrus fruits, tomatoes, berries, potatoes and fresh, green leafy vegetables.