Many people are interested in the question: what are ligaments and what diseases can occur when they are inflamed or damaged. Ligaments are called dense connective tissue, which serves to connect the bones of the human skeleton.
Most of the ligaments are located in the articular part, they are woven into the so-called bag, they have different directions and plexuses to strengthen the joints, promoting movement, their direction or inhibition. There are joints that provide a statistical orientation, that is, they are able to maintain the human skeleton in an upright position, fix the arch of the feet, support the internal organs in their position, etc.
Definition
The formation of ligaments occurs from the mesinchyma simultaneously with the skeleton. They consist of fibrous fibers of different density, elasticity, plasticity, length, etc. Some ligamentous strands are so dense that they can withstand the load much harder than the human body. For example, the ligaments of the hip joint are able to withstand a load of more than 300 kg.
Ligaments, these are serous formations between the internal organs, for the most part they enter the articular parts. Blood supply them passing vessels. Innervation is provided by nerve fibers, which also pass along this path.
Ligaments by location
In the human system, ligaments are located throughout the body. So at the location you can divide them into such subgroups:
- Extracapsular - they are not included in the basis of articular capsules, collateral fibular ligament including such ligaments.
- Capsule - are the basis of the thickened fibrous membrane of the joint capsule. As an example, we can take the key-brachial ligament.
- Intracapsular - they are located in the joint cavity and are protected by the synovial membrane. For example, knee cruciate ligaments.
Blood supply all these ligaments by passing blood vessels. And innervation is provided by nerve endings that pass throughout the body.
Voice unit or vocal cords
A person is able to make sounds thanks to the vocal cords, which are a muscular-connecting structure. In the larynx they are located in such a way that they form a small gap. It is capable of resizing depending on the tension of muscle tissue.
If, as a result of various diseases, the vocal cords are closed, then air does not penetrate into them, which means that a person has no voice. This happens due to edema or an inflammatory process. If the gap has just changed its size, then the voice becomes hoarse. What is the vocal cord is now clear, but why is there a violation in them and how to deal with it?
Causes of vocal cord disorders
The gap between the vocal cords can change its size under the influence of internal or external factors. So the main causes of diseases associated with these muscle-connective structures include:
- hypothermia;
- overvoltage of the vocal cords;
- air pollution and prolonged inhalation of polluted air;
- inflammation of the chronic course of the larynx and nasal passages;
- infections
- allergic reactions;
- injury;
- the appearance of various tumors.
Negatively, smoking affects the vocal cords. If there are cracks on the ligamentous apparatus in the larynx, the risk of reinfection increases.
Causes of a disease of the ligamentous apparatus
Diseases inside the ligamentous apparatus may develop due to previous injuries. Usually the normal work of the ligaments is disturbed due to stretching.
Inflammation in the ligaments develops mainly in athletes, but ordinary people are not immune from such troubles. This happens regardless of the age and gender of the person. The danger is a sedentary image, after which physical activity increases dramatically, this can also damage the ligaments and tendons.
The condition of the ligamentous apparatus is indirectly affected by the environment, that is, air pollution, and errors in nutrition. A decrease in the immune system can also affect the duration of the inflammatory process.
The role of ligaments in the motor activity of the body
The joints will be stable if the human ligaments are strong. They strengthen and guide the skeletal base. The ligamentous apparatus plays a special role for joints, which in their mobility are not limited by the shape of the bones articulated in them. For the normal functioning of the hip, shoulder and knee joints, it is necessary that the ligaments are elastic and capable of stretching.
How is the disease manifested?
If there is inflammation in the joints, then you need to know about its symptoms in order to begin treatment of ligaments as soon as possible. Here's how this condition can manifest itself:
- The appearance of puffiness.
- At the site of the inflammatory process, the temperature rises.
- Feeling sore.
- The presence of local hemorrhage or bruising.
- Difficulties in moving a diseased joint.
A characteristic sign of inflammation in the joint is the presence of constant dull pain. Due to the fact that the ligaments hurt, a person with difficulty moves or moves a joint. Do not ignore all these symptoms, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
Diagnosis of diseases of the muscles and ligaments
Most often, a muscle ligament injury is initially diagnosed by questioning the patient. A thorough inspection of the damaged area is carried out. After this, the person is sent for an additional examination, which includes such procedures:
- Roentgenogram.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Arthroscopy, in which an endoscope is inserted into the damaged joint, showing the contents of the site.
- Electromyography.
- If you went to the doctor about inflammation, you need to take a blood test.
What are ligaments and how disorders are diagnosed in them, it is clear, it remains to find out how to treat them.
Features of the treatment of the disease
How to treat ligaments? The treatment will depend on in which ligamentous section the malfunction or inflammation occurred. But in general, the principles of treatment will be similar. They are based on the following events:
- Ensuring complete rest of the injured ligament.
- Relief of pain.
- Conservative or surgical treatment may be prescribed depending on the condition of the ligaments.
- A set of rehabilitation measures is prescribed, which include massage, exercise therapy, and physiotherapy.
Vocal cord treatment methods
In order to make sounds, the ligaments of the voice section must be well stretched. But if tension is felt, then it must be removed with medical measures. The basis of therapy for the restoration of ligaments is the following:
- Taking appropriate medications, for example, expectorants, anti-inflammatory drugs, treating inflamed areas with antiseptic drugs, etc.
- Physiotherapy procedures. This may be electrophoresis, ultraviolet irradiation, UHF, etc.
- If necessary, apply surgical intervention. Usually it is indicated for the tumor process, the ineffectiveness of drug therapy or for complications that have begun.
- As an auxiliary treatment, folk remedies are used.
All these measures are used depending on the complexity of the situation and the cause of the disease. Treatment is carried out at home, only with an operational indication, you will need to place the patient in a hospital.
Any treatment should begin only after the diagnostic measures.
If you follow all the recommendations of a doctor, then the restoration of ligaments will occur in a short period. But to prevent all of these disturbances in the work of the ligamentous apparatus, it is necessary to observe preventive measures: to avoid injuries and the negative impact of environmental factors.
If the ligaments of many systems are disturbed, auxiliary treatment measures are used. So, for example, when the ligaments in the ankle joint are damaged, wearing orthopedic insoles is indicated.
Sometimes the disease goes into a chronic stage. In this case, auxiliary therapy will be needed in the form of vitamin complexes, chondroprotectors and immune enhancers. Now you know what ligaments are, how to treat them and what to do in order not to encounter diseases associated with these compounds.