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| Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons |
Last updated: Sep 22, 2008 |
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Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons |
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Signs, symptoms and indicators | Contributing risk factors | Recommendations
 Signs, symptoms & indicators of Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons: | |  | | | | Symptoms - Skeletal |  (Severe) chronic joint pain
 Double-jointedness |
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Risk factors for Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons: | | | | | | Hormones | 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. |
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Nutrients |
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. |
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Symptoms - Skeletal |
Having had dislocations |
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Recommendations for Torn, Weak, or Relaxed Ligaments or Tendons:
KEY | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | Proven definite or direct link |  | | Highly recommended |
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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.
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.
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.