Ligaments are soft tissue structures that connect bones together to form stable joints. Pushing joints beyond the range of motion allowed by the corresponding ligaments may cause injury to this tissue. If you experience ligament pain after running, apply home care measures and seek medical care if the ligament pain is severe, comes on suddenly or continues for more than three days.
Ligament Pain
Ligament pain after running may indicate strain -- tearing or twisting of the ligaments, both of which may occur due to overuse, repeated misalignment or sudden movements such as tripping, twisting or changing direction. Ligament pain, along with swelling or a feeling of the joint giving way, may indicate serious ligament injury. Prevent ligament injuries by warming up before exercise, gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts and working with a professional to ensure you are performing exercises correctly.
Hyperextension
Hyperextension, commonly referred to as being "double-jointed," is misalignment that occurs when a joint extends beyond the normal range, appearing to bend backwards. This alignment puts excessive pressure on the ligaments associated with that joint. Long-term hyperextension, especially during high-impact activities like running, may lead to ligament pain. Stand with your legs straight and turn sideways in front of a full-length mirror, and look at your knee joint. If your knee appears to be bending backward, you may be hyperextending. Talk with a physical therapist about how to correct your alignment and prevent further discomfort.
Home Treatment
Rest painful ligaments by immobilizing the joint for three days. Apply ice -- four times a day for 15 minutes -- and elevate the joint above your heart. When not applying ice, wrap a compression bandage around the joint. These measures may help relieve inflammation and prevent pooling of blood. Besides exercise, avoid applying heat to the injury or massaging the affected area, both of which could stimulate swelling. Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages, which may increase swelling as well as bleeding. After three days, start to gently exercise the joint.
Medical Care
Seek medical care if your joint cannot support your weight, buckles, locks, appears deformed or if you experience fever, excess swelling, numbness, tingling or blue skin discoloration. Common medical treatment for ligament injury includes physical therapy, pain killers and surgery. If you have a torn ligament, have injuries to multiple soft-tissue structures in the same joint -- including ligaments, tendons or cartilage -- or have other severe damage, you may need surgery.
