In the field of orthopedics, ligament degeneration is a major cause of instability in the ankle and lower leg. Various anatomical features of ligament degeneration resulting from deformation of the joint are known such as osteoarthritis, ligament hyperextension, and polymyositis. This condition often presents itself as a bony bump, wart, or bone spur, which usually occurs on the lateral portion of the foot. The treatment of ligament degeneration depends on the location, severity of the condition, and the extent of the damage. There are three main types of treatment for this condition.
The first one is the non-surgical treatment in which the physiotherapist helps the patient to perform exercises in order to strengthen the weak muscles of the calf, thigh, and hamstring. The exercise programs to help in the regeneration of collagen and elastin. This in turn prevents the occurrence of the bursitis that results from the degenerative cruciate ligament degeneration. The bursitis can be treated using topical steroid injections, heat packs, night splints, and therapeutic exercise programs.
The second type of treatment is the surgical treatment, which is used to treat patients with anterior cruciate ligament degeneration. An incision is made in the front part of the ankle. A strip of tissue is removed and the tissues are divided into areas A and B. The right and left quadriceps muscles are isolated and exercised. After rehabilitation of the quadriceps muscle, patients are taught how to cope with the pain caused by the disease.
Another type of treatment is the arthroscopic procedure, which is performed on the front of the knee. It involves removal of the affected cruciate ligaments. Another is the autologous collagen injection treatment that is used to treat patients with osteoarthritis. Autologous means that it is taken from the patient’s own body. This process of treatment may not be successful in treating the osteoarthritis.
The third treatment option is the surgical treatment that is mainly used for patients who have the genetic form of the disease and for those who are beyond the age of sixty-five years. In this treatment, the osteoarthritis is treated through the removal of the diseased arthritic cartilage. If the cartilage is not removed, it will be replaced by a soft artificial joint capsule that mimics the function of the healthy cartilage.
One of the most popular form of treatment is the incident accelerated koa treatment. In this method, an expert physician uses an x-ray machine to take a snapshot of the cruciate ligament. The x-ray of the adjacent structures helps the doctor to diagnose if the situation is worse than the originally diagnosed condition. If the x-ray clearly shows cruciate ligament tears, the doctor will then prescribe the necessary treatment. One of the possible ways to achieve this is through the use of an extender. This kind of treatment will allow the patient to regain the motion that he used to have before the incident accelerated koa took place.
Another good option to consider in this case is through the use of arthroscopic sclerotherapy. This method involves removal of one or more tendons in the joint. The arthroscopic sclerotherapy device is inserted into the groove formed by the damaged ligaments. This device heats up the affected areas and makes them swell until they get close to the surface of the skin. Due to the increased friction between the heated area and the surrounding tissues, scar tissues are formed, which reduces friction, allowing the tendons and ligaments to move back into their original positions.
Both the above mentioned methods can be done with minimal exertion of the patient’s body. However, the results may differ from person to person. An arthroscopic sclerotherapy session, for instance, can lead to complete healing within a week’s time. On the other hand, a radiographic accelerated koa treatment can take about three months to reach the maximum level of healing. For patients who cannot tolerate any form of strenuous activity, it is better to undergo the non-surgical options first so as not to have any regrets in the future.