AUTO INJURY?
Ligament Laxity
Ligament laxity, also known as ligamentous laxity, is a condition where ligaments are loose, resulting in joints that are more flexible and have a greater range of motion than normal. In the back, it can cause stress on the spine and degrade over time. It can be a painful and annoying condition.
What are the symptoms of ligament laxity?
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How is ligament laxity diagnosed?
Diagnosis often involves a physical examination by a healthcare professional, including assessment of neck mobility, pain provocation tests, and imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs to assess the extent of ligament damage.
After a thorough examination, your Brooks Clinic provider will chart a path to minimize your pain and to see healing progress. Medications may be prescribed. A special test, called CRMA may be ordered to measure the amount of laxity that appears in the spine.
When should I call The Brooks Clinic?
If you are in an auto accident and know that your neck experienced flexation, you should talk with The Brooks Clinic doctor about the degree of damage very quickly – the same day if possible. The sooner you are diagnosed, the quicker your rehabilitation can begin and the less likely you are to further damage the injured tissue. Here are the key points to remember about whiplash injury:
- A ligament injury is complicated, but usually involves the muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons in your neck or back.
- Ligament laxity can be caused by the neck flexing forcibly forward and then backward, in a snapping motion, or vice versa. It can effect all areas of the spine.
- Most whiplash injuries occur during a rear-end automobile accident.
- Your Brooks Clinic doctor will determine specific diagnostic & treatment plans for your whiplash.
- The more quickly you are evaluated, the better chance you have of helping the tissue heal faster.
- Severe ligament laxity can be a life long problem that requires proper diagnosis and treatment. In some cases, permanent damage may be progressive in nature.
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Ligament Laxity Treatment After Auto Accidents – The Brooks Clinic
Comprehensive Care for Ligamentous Laxity in Oklahoma City
If you’re experiencing ongoing, undiagnosed spine pain or persistent discomfort after a car accident, it may be due to ligament laxity. Also known as ligamentous laxity, this condition occurs when the ligaments supporting your spine become loose or overstretched—resulting in excessive flexibility and instability in your joints and spine. At The Brooks Clinic, our dedicated accident care providers offer expert diagnosis and treatment across 6 convenient OKC metro locations.
What Is Ligament Laxity?
Ligament laxity is a medical condition characterized by loose ligaments, which allow for greater joint mobility than normal. In the back and cervical spine, lax ligaments can cause ongoing stress and instability, leading to chronic pain, decreased range of motion, and progressive spinal degeneration. This issue is often caused by trauma, including the forceful flexing or extension of the neck during auto accidents (“whiplash”).
Symptoms of Ligament Laxity include:
- Persistent and undiagnosed spine pain
- Imaging studies (X-rays/MRI) showing normal structure but ongoing pain
- Progressive worsening of pain after injury
- Numbness or tingling in limbs
- Discomfort or instability with movement
- Decreased range of motion
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms
How Long is Laxity Diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with a thorough physical examination by one of our providers, including neck mobility checks, pain provocation tests, and review of your medical history. Imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs may help assess the extent of ligament damage, and advanced tests like CRMA (Computerized Radiographic Mensuration Analysis) may be ordered to precisely measure ligament instability in the spine.
Once your condition is assessed, your Brooks Clinic provider will design a personalized treatment plan aimed at minimizing pain, restoring function, and promoting healing.
Why Is Early Treatment Crucial?
Ligament injuries, especially those following auto accidents, are complex and often involve not just ligaments but also surrounding muscles, discs, nerves, and tendons. Delaying diagnosis and treatment can lead to progressive, sometimes permanent, damage and chronic pain. Severe ligament laxity may persist lifelong without proper care, making immediate assessment essential.
If you suspect ligament injury after a car accident—even if imaging is normal—contact The Brooks Clinic the same day. We offer same-day appointments, accept most insurance, and provide care with no out-of-pocket expense for qualifying auto accident patients. Se habla español!
Our Ligament Laxity Treatment Services
At The Brooks Clinic, we offer multidisciplinary therapies to treat ligament laxity, including:
- Targeted pain management and medications
- Physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles for acute injuries
- Manual therapies for spinal stabilization
- Rehabilitation plans tailored to your injury
- Ongoing re-evaluation to monitor recovery progress
- CRMA Evaluation: Computerized Radiographic Mensuration Analysis
Our accident care clinics are equipped to diagnose and treat ligament injuries quickly and efficiently, preventing further tissue degeneration and helping you return to normal life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ligament Laxity
What causes ligament laxity after a car accident?
Ligament laxity can occur when the neck is forcibly flexed or extended—often during rear-end car accidents, causing whiplash. This overstretching can damage ligaments throughout the spine, leading to instability and chronic pain.
What are the symptoms of ligament laxity?
Common symptoms include persistent spine pain, worsening discomfort, numbness or tingling, headaches, decreased range of motion, muscle spasms, and pain not explained by imaging studies.
How is ligament laxity diagnosed at The Brooks Clinic?
Our providers will evaluate your symptoms with a physical examination, review your mobility, and may order imaging studies such as X-rays or MRIs. We may also use specialized tests like CRMA to measure the degree of ligament instability.
Can ligament laxity be cured?
With early diagnosis and comprehensive therapy, many patients achieve significant pain relief and improved function. Severe cases may require ongoing management to prevent permanent damage.
Does insurance cover treatment for ligament laxity?
Yes! For most auto accident cases, there is no out-of-pocket expense for care at The Brooks Clinic. We work directly with the auto insurance to get your claim paid.
Ready for relief? Request an appointment at one of our 6 Oklahoma City metro locations and start your recovery from ligament laxity today!