2. What is the ACL? Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Located in the knee and connects the femur to the tibia. The ACL restricts twisting and excessive forward motion of the knee.
3. The Causes of an ACL Tear Twisting or Pivoting of the Knee Hyperextension of the Knee Many of these injuries are in athletic settings More common in females than males “The NCAA data also reports that female basketball and soccer players have a significantly higher incidence of knee injuries in general, and ACL injuries in particular, than their male counterparts. “ Lack of hip strength, imbalance in hamstring and quadricep strength, and lack of joint strength.
5. Surgery and Risks Surgery requires a graft replacement using either a patellar tendon graft, hamstring graft, or using a donor graft. Some complications can include stiffness, blood clots, and infection. Many of these very rarely occur but there are preventive measures for the stiffness and blood clots. Stiffness – movement exercises within 24-48 hours of surgery Blood Clots – Pressure stocking to reduce swelling and move blood throughout the leg.
6. Recovery and Rehab Rehab takes six months to one year. Most patients will begin movement exercises the day after surgery to prevent stiffness in the new ACL. eHealthMD breaks down the rehabilitation into six different phases. http://www.ehealthmd.com/library/acltears/ACL_rehab.html
7. Exercise Benefits and Risks Benefits of Exercise will improve lower body strength and may make the individual stronger than before the injury. Increases stability, balance, and core strength If physical therapy isn’t taken seriously, the ability to return to true form can lead to reoccurring injury or additional surgery. Must be careful with doing heavy weight such as squats, deadlifts, or leg press. Major risk will be when participating in sports than can lead to this injury. Football, Basketball, Soccer, etc.
8. Exercise Prescription Single Leg Exercises Ball Squats against the wall Three Cone Pick Up Leg Press Hamstring Curls Double Leg Squats Abductor/Adductor Exercises Lunges – Forward and Backwards