Ligaments are tough fibrous bands of tissue that connect one bone to another, and often cover a joint. Ligaments give structure and help define joint function, and help keep bones in close proximity during movement. Ligaments can be easily damaged and overstretched. They also do not generally heal very well once injured. Ligament laxity, or looseness, causes instability in the joint and can lead to damage to the joint and surrounding tissues.
Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroids are prescription medications that are extremely effective at reducing inflammation and pain. These medications can be given orally or by injecting them directly into the site of inflammation to reduce systemic side effects. Corticosteroids help reduce symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury, but do not treat the underlying problem, and so in many cases repeated injections are required. When medication is injected repeatedly into a joint, it can cause weakness in the surrounding ligaments, tendons and muscles, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Down Syndrome
Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by a chromosomal deletion. A normal healthy human cell has 23 pairs of chromosomes which contain the genetic material. With Down syndrome, improper reproduction during cell division causes a problem on the twenty-first chromosome. This leads to mental retardation, distinct facial abnormalities and multiple musculoskeletal weaknesses. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Down syndrome is one of the most common genetic disorders, and patients with the condition experience joint and ligament laxity, especially in the neck. One commonly affected ligament in the cervical spine is found between the first and second vertebrae, and leads to instability between these two bones which can cause compression of the spinal cord.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is another genetic disorder that occurs when cell reproduction does not occur properly and chromosomes are not reproduced exactly. In this condition, collagen, a component of connective tissue, is not synthesized appropriately. Collagen helps with elasticity in muscles, blood vessels, ligaments, tendons and skin, all of which are affected in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Individuals with this condition often have extremely elastic skin and ligaments, which causes severe joint instability. According to the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Network, there is no cure for the condition, and treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms.
Trauma
Traumatic injury to ligaments is a common occurrence. Some of the more frequently injured joints are knees, ankles, neck and low back; these are frequently injured in automobile accidents and sports injuries. Ligaments do not heal well, and when sprained, they become stretched and weak, leading to potential joint instability. According to MedlinePlus, individuals who have suffered previous ligament damage in the knee often complain that their joint is unstable from then on. This is because the ligaments that surround the knee joint have become overstretched and loose.
