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A member asked:
How to tell if i sprained or tore a ligament?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Sprain equals tear: Technically a sprain is a tear of a ligament. There are diffent grades of tearing. Typically 1: just a stretch: 2; an incomplete tear and 3; torn completely. Some ligaments rarely partial tear ie. Anterior cruciate in knee. Some ( medial collateral in knee, anterior talofibular in ankle) frequently are graded injuries. If joint is unstable or hurts really bad: you have a torn ligament.
Answered 5/29/2016
5.2k views
Graded 1 through 3..: Sprains & strains are graded based on the # of fibers within the structure that are stretched/ torn. This is by no means an exact number (of fibers), st but a grade 1 = fiber stretch, grade two = partial/ moderate disruption, & grade three = complete disruption. In some cases a physical exam can help to determine the severity by feeling the laxity of a joint, but in most cases the best way is mri.
Answered 6/13/2017
5.2k views
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