WHAT IS THE ACL?
The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a ligament located in the knee that helps keep it stable. The ACL can be injured or torn during sports or activities that involve sudden movements, pivoting or twisting movements, or hits to the knee.
WHAT IS AN ACL TEAR?
The anterior cruciate ligament can be injured or torn when it is harshly twisted in the wrong way. ACL tears are especially common in athletes, including those who participate in sports such as gymnastics, football, soccer, tennis, or downhill skiing. All these sports require sudden stops and changes in direction, making the risk higher for twisting the knee the wrong way and sustaining an ACL injury.An ACL injury is painful and debilitating. Those suffering from this type of injury typically experience severe pain, swelling, limited range of motion, and instability when trying to bear weight. Fortunately, our Bloor West Village and The Kingsway physiotherapy services can help treat your ACL injury and provide some much-needed relief.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE AN ACL INJURY?
Common signs and symptoms of an ACL injury include:
- A “popping” sound at the time of injury
- Obvious knee swelling within 6 hours of injury
- Pain, especially when you try to put weight on the injured leg
- Feeling of instability or “giving way” with walking or running
- Severe pain and inability to continue activity
- Loss of range of motion
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to determine if you have an ACL injury.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON CAUSES OF AN ACL INJURY?
ACL injuries can happen suddenly and without warning. The majority of ACL injuries, in fact, are non-contact injuries that don’t actually involve a direct hit to your knee. Here are some common causes of an ACL injury:
- Cutting or pivoting maneuvers, when an athlete plants a foot and suddenly shifts direction
- Landing awkwardly from a jump
- Stopping suddenly
- Participating in certain sports such as soccer, basketball, football, volleyball, downhill skiing, lacrosse, and tennis
- Women are more likely to have an ACL tear than men
- Having poor neuromuscular control or muscle imbalances
- Receiving a direct blow to the knee
If you participate in activities that involve sudden movements, jumping, pivoting, landing, or stopping suddenly, you may be at risk for an ACL injury.
WHICH ATHLETES ARE MOST AT RISK FROM ACL TEARS?
Women are 2.8 times more likely to face an ACL tear playing sports than men due to a number of anatomical features of female bodies and hormonal factors.
Young (adolescent) female athletes who play sports such as soccer, basketball or gymnastics are at the highest risk of ACL tears. Soccer players are more likely to injure their ACL than any other sport.
WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT FOR AN ACL INJURY?
The best treatment for an ACL injury depends on how severe the injury is and what your specific needs are.
Treatment options may include rest, ice, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory medications,, or surgery. Less severe injuries may not require surgery.
Whether you choose to have surgery or not, rehabilitation is extremely important to ensure you fully regain your range of motion and strength. After an ACL injury or surgery, A physiotherapist will help you get moving again and teach you exercises to reduce pain, decrease swelling, and strengthen the muscles around your knee as well as in your core and glutes so you can reduce your risk of reinjury when you play again.
A knee brace can be helpful in the early stages of your injury to help support your knee so you feel less pain and are more stable when you walk.
A custom ACL brace can be helpful in the later stages of your rehab when you’re ready to return to your sport again. This type of brace can help provide additional protection to your knee and can also help athletes who are afraid to return to their sport.
HOW CAN PHYSIOTHERAPY HELP WITH AN ACL INJURY?
Rehabilitation after an ACL injury or surgery is extremely important. A physiotherapist who specializes in treating ACL injuries will help you regain your motion and teach you the best exercises to reduce the risk of re-injury.
- Reducing swelling and pain
- Regaining range of movement, strength, and stability
- Decreasing joint effusion
- Achieving goals week by week
- Teaching exercises to reduce pain and swelling
- Strengthen the muscles of the knee (hamstrings and quadriceps)
- Strengthening your core and glutes to reduce strain on your ACL when you run, jump or play your sport
CAN KNEE BRACING HELP AN ACL INJURY?
Knee bracing can be helpful in managing ACL injury in several ways.
In the early stages after an ACL injury a knee brace can provide support to your knee so you feel less pain, feel more stable and walk more easily.
A custom ACL brace can be helpful in the later stages of your rehab when you’re ready to return to your sport or activity again. A custom ACL brace designed for sports and activities can:
- Prevent primary ACL injury, reduce reinjury, or failure after ACL surgery
- Stabilize your the knee during everyday activities and sports
- Help you return to your sport by Improving your confidence in your knee
- Provide medial and lateral support to the knee,
- Help to reduce the risk of reinjury by reducing excessive inward collapse or rotation of your knee that can happen during running, jumping and pivoting
HOW LONG DO ACL INJURIES TAKE TO HEAL?
The recovery time for an ACL injury depends on how severe your injury, whether you’ve had surgery or not, as well as the specific post-surgical protocol outlined by your surgeon. It’s important to follow your doctor’s and physiotherapist’s instructions carefully to ensure full recovery and avoid reinjury
HOW CAN ACL TEARS BE PREVENTED?
Research shows that 26% of non-contact ACL injuries could be prevented by specific exercise programs. .At PhysioPlus Health Group, we’re dedicated not only to helping you recover from your ACL injury, but we are also able to help you prevent injuries from occurring in the future.
Preventing ACL tears involves being aware of your movements during sports and exercise, and strengthening exercises to target key muscles that improve your lower body mechanics and reduce strain on the ACL.
To prevent ACL tears, you can:
- Practice good technique
- Avoid working out while overly fatigued
- Develop muscle groups evenly
- Jump, land, stop, and move with your knees directly over your feet
- Never let your knees collapse inward
- Develop strength in the muscles around your knees, hips and core
- Wear proper footwear
- Use proper equipment
- Warm up before exercising or playing sports
- Avoid playing on uneven surfaces or in poor weather conditions
- Includes neuromuscular training in your strengthening program
Our Bloor West Village and The Kingsway physiotherapists will conduct several tests to gauge your injury risk and develop a specific exercise program to target your areas of weakness so you can reduce the strain on your ACL and reduce the risk of injury.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR ACL EXAM.
After diagnostic tests and physical examinations are complete, our physiotherapists will design a specialized treatment plan based on your specific needs. Your treatment plan may include a combination of methods, including manual therapy, ice and heat therapies, ultrasound, or targeted exercises, all aimed at providing relief and rehabilitation.
GET STARTED ON YOUR RECOVERY TODAY!
f you are suffering from an ACL injury, contact PhysioPlus Health Group today to schedule your initial appointment. We will get you started on your path toward recovery and long-lasting relief!
