An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury happens when the ACL tears or suffers a sprain. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major ligaments in the knee, located at the front of the knee between the shin bone (tibia, in the lower leg) and thigh bone (femur, in the upper leg).
The primary responsibilities of this ligament are to stabilize the knee and to help control the knee when the leg is rotated in any direction. The ACL is made up of rope-like fibers.
When an ACL tear happens, these fibers rip, making the ligament weaker. When a total ACL tear happens, the entire ligament tears into two pieces.
How Do ACL Tears Happen?
ACL tears are most common when a person suddenly stops or changes direction at the knee. It’s also common when a person suddenly jumps and lands forcefully.
ACL tears are very common in sports like basketball, football, and soccer. This is because these sports require frequent and quick changes in movements/directions, stops, and landing after jumps.
How Is a Torn ACL Diagnosed?
When ACL tears happen, patients often feel severe pain, swelling, and instability in the knee. These symptoms alert the patient to see a doctor.
The doctor will check the knee for swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. Your doctor may also choose to perform some tests to get a definite diagnosis of the problem.
The tests may include X-ray, MRI, or ultrasound scans. If these tests show a positive ACL tear, the doctor will give a diagnosis of a torn ACL for treatment.
Treatments for an ACL Injury
The treatment for a torn ACL depends on the severity of the injury and the needs of the patient. For example, if the ACL tear is mild and the patient is an adult with an office job – and a moderately active lifestyle – a torn ACL may be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE method). The patient may also be recommended to use a brace or crutches to avoid putting weight on the knee.
However, treatment for severe ACL tears or for athletes is different. In situations where an athlete suffers an ACL tear, doctors may recommend surgery to reconstruct and reconnect the torn ACL so it can heal faster.
Another reason why your doctor may recommend surgery is if more than one ligament in the knee is injured. The more significant or complex the injury, the more likely your doctor is to recommend surgery to treat the torn ACL.
Rehabilitation for a Knee Injury
Once you have healed enough to begin moving the knee, your doctor will recommend physical therapy to rehabilitate your knee. This is crucial because your knee will need to strengthen, regain its range of motion, and become more flexible.
When you begin physical therapy, your ACL will still be weak and stiff. Through physical therapy, you will perform exercises to make your knee stronger and more flexible
Physical Therapists in Ohio
If you are looking for a physical therapy center whose staff has years of experience treating all kinds of sports injuries and related conditions, contact Suburban Physical Therapy. Our physical therapists will work with you and your doctor to heal you as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Call (440) 746-1730 to schedule an appointment at our Brecksville location, or (330) 963-2920 for our Twinsburg location. You can also fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you get back in the game again.