• Home
  • About
    • Our Philosophy
    • Opening hours
    • Our Donation Promise
    • Referral rewards
    • Our health partners
  • Locations
    • Doubleview
    • East Perth
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Posture Correction
    • Massage
    • Mastitis treatment
    • Gym based rehabilitation
  • Team
  • FAQ
  • Articles
  • Book Online
  • Contact
  • Blog
The Physio Nook
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Philosophy
    • Opening hours
    • Our Donation Promise
    • Referral rewards
    • Our health partners
  • Locations
    • Doubleview
    • East Perth
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Posture Correction
    • Massage
    • Mastitis treatment
    • Gym based rehabilitation
  • Team
  • FAQ
  • Articles
  • Book Online
  • Contact
  • Blog

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury

8/10/2020

0 Comments

 
What is an ACL tear and how does it occur?
 
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a strong piece of connective tissue which helps attach the thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia). The ACL provides stability to the knee joint as it prevents the tibia from sliding forward relative to the femur.
 
ACL tears are a common sporting injury, however they can also occur from everyday activities. The most typical mechanisms of injury are landing awkwardly from a jump, twisting the knee, or suddenly stopping while running. The ACL may also be injured during knee hyperextension, or getting hit on the outside of the knee. Often, other tissues surrounding the knee are also damaged, including the medial collateral ligament, meniscus, joint cartilage and bone surfaces. The ligament can be stretched, partially damaged or completely torn.
acl ligament tear
What are the signs and symptoms?
 
Many people report hearing a “pop” in the knee along with immediate pain and swelling. Decreased range of movement of the knee is common and the injured knee is typically unable to take full weight when standing or walking. The knee may also feel unstable, with a sensation of “giving way”. Poor balance and coordination may also be experienced. Smaller tears of the ligament may have only mild symptoms, however, more severe tears will have more significant pain, swelling and instability.
 
 Is surgery necessary?
 
Traditionally, surgery was thought to be necessary for all full-thickness ACL tears. A series of recent studies have shown however, that outcomes are often the same for people who chose surgery and those who didn’t, both in terms of recovery and future risk of osteoarthritis. Individual circumstances will impact this decision. Elite athletes and cases with additional meniscal tears may do better with surgery. Generally speaking however, with time and full rehabilitation, many people can return to their previous levels of activity without surgery. 
 
How can physiotherapy help?
 
For both surgical and non-surgical recovery from ACL tears, physiotherapy rehabilitation is essential for a full recovery. Your physiotherapist will assist you with improving your knee range of movement, lower limb strength, balance, stability and coordination. You will re-learn the tasks of walking, using stairs, and negotiating obstacles with retraining of your balance and control. 

Early in rehabilitation, the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation) is used in conjunction with static resistance type exercises to improve muscle contraction in the leg and increase blood flow to the area.
 
Throughout your rehabilitation program, you will progress through a variety of strength and mobility exercises targeted towards your individual needs, with goals of returning to your favourite sport or hobby as soon and as safely as possible.
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    Achilles Pain
    ACL Tear
    Ankle Pain
    Anxiety
    Back Pain
    Balance
    Bone Health
    Bursitis
    Computer Setup
    Dislocations
    Elbow Pain
    Fatigue
    Fibromyalgia
    Fitness
    Groin Pain
    Headaches
    Healing
    Health
    Heel Pain
    Hip Pain
    Instability
    Knee Pain
    Muscle Pain
    Neck Pain
    Osteoarthritis
    Osteoporosis
    Physio Treatment
    Plantar Fasciitis
    Referred Pain
    Running
    Sciatica
    Shin Splints
    Shoulder Pain
    Spinal Stenosis
    Sprains
    Stretching
    Trigger Points
    Work From Home
    Wrist Pain

Doubleview clinic
197A Scarborough Beach Road
Doubleview WA 6018
P: 08 9446 7017
E: doubleview@thephysionook.com.au
East Perth clinic
129 Royal Street
East Perth WA 6004
P: 08 9221 9655
E: eastperth@thephysionook.com.au
Book your consultation
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Philosophy
    • Opening hours
    • Our Donation Promise
    • Referral rewards
    • Our health partners
  • Locations
    • Doubleview
    • East Perth
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Posture Correction
    • Massage
    • Mastitis treatment
    • Gym based rehabilitation
  • Team
  • FAQ
  • Articles
  • Book Online
  • Contact
  • Blog