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Prevention of Ligament Injuries

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Sports Injuries

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Abstract

Ligaments are specialized bands of connective tissues having distinct biomechanical properties. Their ability to adapt to the complex functions enables them to perform different tasks. Ligaments are not inert and they respond to many local and systemic factors that influence their function. Ligament that is subjected to an injury shows drastic changes in its structure and physiology. After an injury, ligament function is restored by the formation of scar tissue. However, this newly formed structure is biologically and biomechanically inferior to the tissue it replaces. Therefore, prevention always plays a primary role in preserving the original characteristics of ligamentous structures. This article will briefly review possible preventive intervention strategies for ligaments, referring specifically to what is known about two of the most extensively studied and clinically relevant knee (the anterior cruciate (ACL) and medial collateral (MCL) ligaments) and ankle ligaments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sports Medicine, Ankara University School of Medicine, Cebeci, 06590, Ankara, Turkey

    Emin Ergen

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Correspondence to Emin Ergen .

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  1. Fac. Medicine, Dept. Orthopedics & Traumatology, Hacettepe University, Hasyrcylar Caddesi, Ankara, 94110, Turkey

    Mahmut Nedim Doral

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Ergen, E. (2012). Prevention of Ligament Injuries. In: Doral, M. (eds) Sports Injuries. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15630-4_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-15630-4_5

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