Fact Checked
Inflammation of the ligaments is swelling up of ligaments or tendons caused by an injury or an illness. The inflammation happens in any areas of the body, but it can affect the whole body.
Ligaments are soft tissues that connect bones together. Sometimes these ligaments can be torn due to accidents or illness. They can swell and result to severe pain and difficulty in walking or moving around the affected area.
People with arthritis and spondylitis are susceptible to this condition. Ligaments are tender fibers and can easily become injured or damaged.
Causes of inflammation of ligaments
- Reactive arthritis which causes inflammation of ligament and joint in the bones caused by infections in some organs of the body. The infections happen in the intestines or stomach. The infections spread to the bones of the knees and legs and becomes inflamed. Sometimes it affects the eyes and the urethra.
Swelling of the joints or areas of the body becomes sore. - Deficiency in nutrients which lessens the development of immunity. The immune system of the body gradually becomes weaker and the joints of the leg, ankles and knees begin to swell.
- Inflammation of the ligaments in the knees and elbows or psoriatic arthritis.
- Entheropathic arthritis due to crohn’s disease. It causes pain and swelling of the joints.
- Ankylosing spondylitis affects the vertebral column especially in young men and swelling of ligaments that connects the vertebras causes severe pain in the back.
- Sudden twisting of the foot or improper posture while stretching
- Sports injuries such as shin splints, runner’s knee, rotator cuff syndrome and tennis elbow.
- Allergies on gluten food products
Symptoms
- Severe pain in the joints
- Swelling of the joints or areas of the body becomes sore
- Fever
- Pain the back, elbows, knees and ankles
- Stiffness of the joint
- Frozen shoulder or difficulty with neck movements
- Stomach pains
- Discomforts when walking or moving certain areas of the body
- Stomach pains
Treatment
- Apply ice compress immediately after the injury to lessen the inflammation and the pain. Put few ice cubes in a plastic bag and then wrap it using a towel or a cloth before placing to the area for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Apply heat on the painful joints for at least 10-15 minutes every day to lessen the spasms and the pain. Place a damp cloth between the skin and the heat pack to prevent burn and delay the healing. Another alternative is soaking the ankle on a hot water bag, as hot that can be tolerated. Placing a hot water bag under the pillow to lessen the pain is also good for the condition.
- Prescribed injections of corticosteroids or acetaminophen to lessen the severe pain and the inflammations.
- Perform regular exercises or other forms of physical therapies with the help of the physical therapist to restore range of movement of the affected area and lessen the pain.
- Avoid being overweight.