Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

 

What’s ACL?

A ligament in the knee made from strands consisted of elastic fibers located between the underside of the femur and the topside of the tibia bone. The ACL helps keeps the knee consistently stable throughout twisted movements.

 

How Do You Injury an ACL?

ACL injury occurs when you hyperextend or forcibly twist your knee. It is typically injured during physical activity sports such as football, soccer, basketball, or skiing. Example, during football and soccer a tackle can lead to a tear of the “MCL”, which opens the medial part of knee for more potential damage. Enough pressure on the knee whilst it’s open and an ACL tear can produce. Many athletes feel a painful pop and have swelling in the knee in this injury.  

 

What Are Some Common Symptoms?

Common ACL symptoms include, but are not limited to knee swellingm a "popping" sound, and pain.

 

Can you Prevent an ACL Injury?

With specific exercises you can decrease the odds of producing an ACL injury but eliminating the risk is currently impossible. With such high level training many athletes are frequently injuring the ACL. No brace or any equipment can prevent the knee of an ACL injury. However, proper stretching and improved flexibility are shown to help.

 

At Risk More Men or Female of an ACL Injury?

According to American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, “Female athletes who participate in jumping and pivoting sports are 2 to 10 times more likely to sustain a knee ligament injury, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, than male athletes participating in the same sports”. The main disparities between females and males are centered on joint laxity, hormonal variations of menstrual cycles, and reaction time.

 

Pre-Operation

After an ACL injury, Pre-Rehabilitation is often recommended before surgery. Making it important to regain strength and movement before surgery will improve your success post operation. A combination of strength, balance, and flexibility exercises will be beneficial for pre operation.

 

Post-Operation

Make sure you follow up appointments/follow up to physical therapy. Perform consistent exercises and routines provided to you by your physical therapist or personalized trainer.  Consistency will be of utmost significance in order for a lasting and successful recovery. Since you are now at a greater risk for reinjury it is important that you protect your knee after surgery with crtuches, elevation, and by avoiding activities that may harm your knee. 

 

Rehabilitation?

Patients are given exercises immediately after surgery in the recovery room. The most important part of recover is getting the extension of the knee back too normal, which is not easy. The knee likes to stay flex and left alone. For some people, rehabilitation process can be more difficult than others. Physical therapy starts week 2 after ACL surgery and most patients last up to 2-3 months. The protocol for patients who will return to high-level activities will last between 3-6 months after surgery. After physical therapy the therapist will elaborate a program for the patient to carryout at home.

 

 

 

 

 

Arnoczky, SP.  “Anatomy of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament”.  NCBI.  National Center for

         Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2014.  Web. 

“Your Care at Home After Surgery”.  Ohio-State Sports  Medicine.  Ohio State Wexner Medical

         Center, 2015.  Web.

“Pre-Operative Rehabilitation Program for Anterior Circulate Ligament Reconstruction”.  Banff

         Sports Med.  Covenant Health Banff Mineral Springs, 2011.  Web.