Loose ligaments can be a result of injury during sporting activities or over exertion of the legs and arms during daily activity. The ligaments connect the bones together and there is a risk of tearing should they stretch too far according to the Internet Society of Orthopedic Surgery and Trauma. This condition poses the risk of surgical correction. Tightening the ligaments to a normal state will eliminate this risk.
Rest and take anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin to reduce pain and inflammation at the injury site. Propping your leg on a pillow or resting your arm in an elevated position using a pillow will help blood circulate throughout the body and promote healing. Applying ice to the injury may also help with swelling and pain.
Exercise the injured site daily to ensure that you are able to move it through a normal range of motion. Stationary bicycle use and stretching are ideal for maintaining proper range of motion. Physical therapists can walk you through these exercises when injury first occurs to prevent strains from happening as you heal.
Wear braces as instructed by your orthopedic doctor. Braces will help keep the ligament weakness from causing you to fall or cause further injury through strain. The ligaments will heal and tighten on their own as the injury site remains stationary.
Opt for prolotherapy from your orthopedic surgeon. This therapy involves injections of a solution of dextrose, which is a type of sugar, that stimulates the healing process and causes heat and swelling at the injection site. This is a normal occurrence and indicates that the injection is doing its job.