Stretching

Stretching (distortion) - damage to ligaments, muscles, tendons and other tissues without disturbing their anatomical integrity. The stretching of the ligaments of the ankle or knee joint is most often observed. Pathological changes in tension are the tearing of individual fibers of the ligaments with a hemorrhage into their thickness.

Symptoms, course. There is pain in the joint during movement, swelling.

The diagnosis is based on local soreness in palpation, a bruise, which may appear 2-3 days after the injury. Differentiate with a complete ligament rupture. When the rupture is observed, more severe pain, the inability to rely on the limb, often - hemarthrosis. All phenomena with stretching subsided in 5-10 days, and with the rupture continue for 3-4 weeks. Radiography clarifies the diagnosis (separation of bone tissue indicates complete damage to the ligament).

Treatment outpatient - tight bandage of the joint, rest, cold for 2 days, then warm. Workability is restored after 5-7 days. Prevention of repeated stretching-massage, therapeutic exercises, sports.