I dont know any people offhand who have done something like this but I have read alot of documentaries on it. Its real. The human body is an amazing thing. As far as what happened with the torn ligaments... heavy lifting injuries typically cause the ripping of connective tissues.
You ever watch documentaries on the builders of the pyramids? The workers could be easily identified by the damage the heavy lifting had had on their bones (ex. the connective tissues ripping off the bone). I think though the body is capable of channeling such power under deep emotional duress, the average body is incapable of withstanding the damage. Maybe an experienced powerlifter might come away reasonably unscathed. Yet, I have to wonder. What would happen if these massive body builders were infused with the same adrenaline rush as these housewives, etc? I'll say this... I dont think I ever heard of any man doing such amazing feats. Perhaps it is a chemical reaction that can only be performed by females? Perhaps the man is incapable of reaching such emotional extremes to activate the glands that hyper-produce this quantity of adrenaline? Who knows.
"If you and I agree all the time, then one of us is unnecessary."
It is impossible to defeat an ignorant man in argument.
- William G. McAdoo
Against stupidity, even the Gods contend in vain...