iarjimphIARJIMPHIARJIMPH2709-331X10.47310/iarjimph.2025.v06i01.005Twisted Truths: Public Awareness of Ligament Injuries and Sports-Related Orthopedic Trauma in KangraBackground: Ligament injuries, especially those linked to sports and recreational activities, are becoming increasingly common among young and active populations. However, public understanding of their causes, symptoms and treatment remains limited, particularly in semi-urban and rural regions like Kangra. This study assesses awareness levels, misconceptions and early management behaviors regarding ligament and sports-related orthopedic trauma in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh. Materials and Methods: A community-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between January and March 2025 with 420 participants aged 16–35 years. A structured bilingual questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of ligament injuries and first-aid or treatment-seeking behavior. Responses were scored and awareness was categorized as Very Good (≥80%), Good (60–79%), Fair (41–59%) and Poor (<40%). Associations between knowledge levels and demographics were analyzed using chi-square tests. Results: Of the 420 respondents, 62.6% had good or very good awareness regarding ligament injuries and sports-related trauma. While 73.5% identified twisting motions as a cause of ligament tears, only 39.8% understood the importance of R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) as an immediate response. Misunderstandings around complete rest vs. graded rehabilitation were also common. Rural participants and those without formal sports education showed significantly lower awareness. Conclusion: Despite moderate awareness levels about ligament injuries in Kangra, significant gaps persist particularly regarding first-aid, rehabilitation and prevention. Enhanced outreach through sports clubs, schools and local media is vital to improve orthopedic injury literacy and reduce complications from delayed or inappropriate treatment.