All you need to know about you ACL TEAR
What is an ACL?
ACL (Anterior Cruciate ligament) is one of the major stabilising ligaments of the knee. It is located on the front of your knee. Thus because of its location this ligament is responsible to prevent excessive movement of the lower leg away from the knee cap.
How bad is your ACL tear?
Your Physio will assess you’re knee to advise you on what the likely damage is:
Grade 1/A : The ligament is stretched but there is no tear.
Grade 2/B: The ligament could be partially torn giving the feeling of some instability during activity.
Grade 3/C or D: The ligament could be completely torn and the control of the movements is lost. Feeling of instability persists.
How does it get injured?
Sudden awkward twisting / Change in direction during running.
A sudden blow to the knee/leg (such as a tackle).
Hyperextension (Eg. another player falling on your already straight knee) of the knee.
Some facts about ACL
Women are three times more prone to this injury. This is because of the shape of the knee joint and the wider pelvis, alternating the biomechanics in sport.
60-80 % of ACL injuries occur in a non- contact situation (Where no one even touches you!)
Footwear has a HUGE potential to INCREASE the risk of ACL injury. (It’s always worth checking with your Physio about the kind of footwear that could possibly reduce this risk).
How will I know if I’ve injured your ACL?
1. There could be an audible “pop” or “crack” when you injure it.
2. A feeling of instability (leg may wobble / give way as you walk); where you feel your knee want to hyperextend /go backwards.
3. Sudden or gradual Swelling of the knee.
Restrictions in the knee range of motion (unable to bend and straighten easily)
Do I need an MRI?
A Physiotherapist will do a thorough examination of the knee which includes special tests specific to ACL. Your presentation in the room is MUCH more important than what the MRI suggests. If we feel the need for an MRI, we will write you an MRI scan referral to get one done ASAP.
OH NO… Will I need surgery?
Most of the time… No.
Don’t panic and see a GOOD Physio ASAP. We will talk you through step by step, how to best manage your knee and get you back to living your life.
So whether you have surgery or not…you MUST see a Physio and start EARLY REHAB.
What should I do immediately?
R: Rest immediately from the strenuous activity you have been doing
I: Icing the area of pain and swelling
C: Compression using a compression sleeve or Tubi-grip of the appropriate size (Physio clinics have these)
E: Elevation using pillow or cushion to avoid further swelling
R: See your Physio ASAP.
What can do the Physio do to help with this injury?
With thorough examination, the Physiotherapist can judge the extent of damage and BEST management for your knee. There is EXCELLENT evidence for physiotherapy helping with the SPEEDIEST and MAXIMUM recovery of the injured knee.
We are able to advise you whether SURGERY is necessary or not and refer you off to a good knee surgeon that we work closely with, IF YOU NEED. Thus, whether surgery is recommended or not, physiotherapy is a MUST for all ACL injuries.
Some guided exercises looks at :
Loosening the tissues around the knee.
Strengthening the knee musculature and the Gluteus muscle complex.
Sports specific training and return to sport guidelines.
EARLY Balance retraining to improve the stability in the knee that will avoid the chances of recurrence.
Return to Sport guidelines:
We can talk you through time framed to return to your gym program, sports drills, training and sport, as you pass the battery of tests we put you through.
It can take up to 9-12 months to return to sports involving dynamic and challenging activities.
In some cases where you do really well in your rehab, the recovery could be less (6 - 9months). Have a look at the video (coming soon) below showing some of the tests and exercises we will require to return to your sport.
TRUST THE PROCESS AND YOUR PHYSIO - WE SUCCESSFULLY REHAB A LOT OF ACLS BACK TO ALL KINDS OF SPORTS!