Chances are you've been watching sports and listened to a sideline reporter talk about a player who's either recovering from or been carted off the field for an ACL injury. But what is an ACL Injury? Let's dive in.
Quick Anatomy lesson: What is the ACL?
Your ACL is composed of four major ligaments in your knee that connect your shinbone (tibia) to your thigh bone (femur), helping to control and support movement in various directions. The major ligaments include:
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament): Controls the rotation and forward movement of the shinbone.
- PCL (posterior cruciate ligament): Controls the backward movement of the shinbone.
- MCL (medial collateral ligament): Stabilizes the inner knee.
- LCL (lateral collateral ligament): Stabilizes the outer knee.
ACL injuries occur when the knee extends beyond its normal range of motion or twists sharply while bearing weight. The "juke" motion that is common in Football and Basketball is a great example and common source of ACL injuries in those sports.
Signs of an ACL Injury
Experts say the first sign of an ACL injury may be a popping noise or sensation in your knee, followed by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Severe pain and inability to continue the activity.
- Rapid swelling.
- Loss of range of motion.
- A feeling of instability or “giving way” when bearing weight.
Quick Note: If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your Doctor right away!
You may also experience warmth, redness, and tenderness around the knee joint, have trouble walking or climbing stairs, or your knee may feel numb. If ligaments are severely damaged, you may need surgery to reconnect them.
During the surgical procedure, your surgeon replaces tissue in the injured area with part of a tendon, usually taken from your hamstring or kneecap. If necessary, your surgeon uses tissue from a donor. However, the use of your own tissue decreases the risk of rejection.
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Not all ACL injuries require surgery. However, whether or not your doctor recommends surgery, physical therapy is essential to help reduce pain and regain normal range of motion, strength, and functional mobility after an ACL injury. If surgery is necessary, studies have found physical therapy before and after surgery can lessen recovery time.
What Does Physical Therapy for ACL Injury Look Like?
The goal of physical therapy after an ACL injury or surgery is to reduce pain and swelling, restore your knee’s full range of motion, and strengthen muscles around the knee. Before surgery, PT helps improve joint range of motion and leg strength for a better surgical outcome and faster recovery time.
Strong, balanced muscles and proper technique when executing movements like the "juke" mentioned above, reduce your risk of ACL and other injuries.
If you are recovering from an ACL injury, your physical therapist will help you regain optimum function and teach you how to avoid future damage. Physical therapy goals include:
- Reduce pain and swelling.
- Improve core strength, lower body strength, and overall physical condition.
- Teach correct body posture during movements and landing after a jump.
Strengthening Core and Lower Body
Core muscles are those around your trunk and pelvis, including abdominals, obliques, diaphragm, pelvic floor muscles, hip flexors, and gluteal muscles. ACL and other injuries often occur when weak core muscles exert unnecessary stress on knee ligaments.
Core muscles control and support the pelvis and spine and coordinate with the legs and upper body. A strong core enables the body to maintain postures or perform movements without placing an undue load on the joints.
Exercises strengthening core muscles promote better balance and stability, helping you regain optimum function and lowering your risk of re-injuring your knee.
PT for ACL rehabilitation also focuses on strengthening your leg and hip muscles to enable healthy coordination with core muscles and protect your knees. If you're searching for "physical therapy near me in Albuquerque," our clinic provides comprehensive rehabilitation programs tailored to your needs.
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PT treatment plan may include:
- Exercises to strengthen core, leg, and hip muscles and improve range of motion. Strong quadriceps and hamstrings are essential to help stabilize the knee.
- Exercises to improve balance and flexibility.
Your physical therapist may also use plyometric exercises to improve your jumping and landing technique. Plyometrics helps strengthen the legs and increase your capacity for explosive power in your lower legs. You will also learn how to keep your knees from buckling inward.
Physical Therapy Heals ACL Injuries Faster
Depending on the severity of the ACL injury, recovery can take up to a year. Studies find working with a physical therapist is the fastest and safest way to restore function and stability to your knee and avoid re-injury.
The expert team at Artistry in Motion Physical Therapy and Wellness specializes in sports medicine and orthopedic rehabilitation. Our proprietary physical therapy program is proven to reduce inflammation and pain, increase flexibility and strength, and restore power and performance quickly so you can get back to the active lifestyle you love.
If you're looking for a physical therapy clinic in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho, contact Artistry in Motion Physical Therapy and Wellness. Our dedicated team is here to help you recover and regain your strength.
For those searching for physical therapy near me in Albuquerque, we're your trusted local experts in comprehensive ACL injury rehabilitation. Contact us today!
