ACL INJURIES
If you’ve experienced an ACL injury or suffer from serious leg pain, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What Are ACL Injuries?
ACL injuries encompass a tear or sprain in the anterior cruciate ligament, a ligament connecting the thigh bone to the shinbone and providing knee strength. Sports involving sudden stops, swift pivots, and jumping, like soccer, basketball, football, and skiing, often witness many ACL injuries.
Typically, individuals perceive or hear a distinct “pop” sensation in the knee upon sustaining an ACL injury. This occurrence accompanies swelling, reduced stability, and intense pain when weight-bearing.
Treatment for ACL injuries varies based on the injury’s severity. It may involve rehabilitation exercises to regain knee strength and stability or surgical intervention to replace the torn ligament. Implementing appropriate training protocols during active sports participation is essential for minimizing the risk of ACL injury.
Indications Of ACL Injuries
Symptoms of an ACL injury can include experiencing sudden pain, often accompanied by a popping sensation at the moment of injury, followed by immediate discomfort in the knee. Swelling of the knee joint usually occurs rapidly, often within hours of the injury. Additionally, individuals may sense instability in the knee, feeling as if it might give way or buckle when attempting to bear weight or change direction. This instability can contribute to difficulty walking, especially if the knee feels unstable or painful. Furthermore, limitations in the knee’s range of motion may occur, making it challenging to fully straighten or bend the knee due to either pain or mechanical blockage resulting from the injury.
If you suspect an ACL injury, it’s important to seek medical evaluation for an accurate diagnosis. A healthcare professional, typically an orthopedic specialist, will conduct a physical examination of the knee, evaluate your symptoms, and may order imaging tests like an MRI to confirm the diagnosis and assess the severity of the injury.
Treatments For ACL Injuries
Treatment options for ACL injuries rely on several factors, including the severity of the injury, the individual’s activity level, and their overall health goals. Physicians may recommend non-surgical management for individuals with less active lifestyles or partial tears. This may involve physical therapy, bracing, and activity modification to stabilize the knee and regain strength.
For individuals desiring to return to activities physicians often recommend surgical reconstruction of the ACL. This procedure involves replacing the torn ACL with a graft, typically utilizing a portion of the patient’s own tendon or a donor’s tendon.
Following treatment, rehabilitation plays a crucial role in the recovery process. Physicians typically prescribe physical therapy to restore strength, flexibility, balance, and range of motion in the knee. The rehabilitation process usually progresses gradually and is tailored to the individual’s specific needs and goals.
Recovery for ACL Injuries
Recovery from ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries involves a structured rehabilitation process aimed at restoring knee stability and function. Following ACL reconstruction surgery, patients typically undergo a period of initial rest and immobilization to protect the repaired ligament. This phase is crucial for allowing the graft (often from the patient’s own tendon) to heal properly.
Physical therapy plays a central role in ACL injury recovery, beginning with gentle range-of-motion exercises to reduce stiffness and maintain flexibility in the knee joint. As healing progresses, therapy advances to include strengthening exercises targeting the muscles around the knee. These exercises help improve knee stability and prevent future injuries.
Throughout the recovery process, therapists guide patients in functional exercises to retrain movement patterns and enhance proprioception (awareness of joint position). Gradual return to activities such as running, jumping, and cutting maneuvers is carefully monitored to ensure the knee can withstand the demands of sports and daily activities. Active participation in rehabilitation promotes optimal recovery, enabling patients to regain strength, stability, and confidence in their knee function.
If you have any questions for our DFW orthopedic specialists, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.
