Boost ACL Surgery Recovery With Physical Therapy

ACL injuries involve tears or sprains in the anterior cruciate ligament. This soft tissue connects your thigh and shin bones. Often, these tears occur when you stretch your ligament too far. These are common injuries in individuals who participate in sports, but they can also occur during everyday activities. Physical therapy is part of the treatment program for these injuries

ACL Injuries

Symptoms of ACL tears and strains include a “pop” in your knee. You will also experience pain, either moderate or severe. You can experience moderate pain with minor tears, and your treatment plan should be minor and shouldn’t include surgery. However, if you have a major tear, you will likely need surgery, which has a longer recovery period. You can shorten your recovery by completing physical therapy after your surgery.

To diagnose an ACL, doctors will perform Lachman tests, pivot shift tests, X-rays, MRIs, ultrasounds, lever sign tests or anterior drawer tests. These options confirm ACL diagnoses.

Causes of ACL Injuries

You can receive an ACL injury from daily activities if you stop and change directions abruptly. You can also overextend your knee during these activities. ACL tears can occur as a result of direct blows to the knee, particularly during car accidents.

However, the most common cause of these injuries is sports. Athletes play on dry surfaces, have to change directions quickly, wear cleated shoes and may not be fully prepared for the rigors of their sport. Injuries can occur during a sporting event, training sessions or practice rounds. Those who play basketball or soccer are especially vulnerable.

ACL Treatments

For minor injuries, your physician may tell you to rest, ice your knee for 20 minutes every two hours, wear an ace bandage or other compression device around your knee and elevate it on pillows. You may also need to start rehabilitation therapy immediately, even if you later need surgery. This includes supervised exercises and the use of assistive devices, such as crutches.

Major tears may require ACL reconstruction surgery. During these procedures, surgeons use tendons to replace ligament sections. After surgery, you need additional physical therapy.

Tips To Boost ACL Recovery

Your doctor will prescribe rehabilitation at a physical therapy clinic, e.g., Physical therapy Yukon. However, there are a few things you need to do to promote a quicker recovery. First, elevate and rest your legs. Use crutches and braces to support your knee as it heals. Eat nutritious food and drink plenty of water. Take the medications your doctor prescribes.

As you begin to heal, start bending your knee, but do so slowly and in the direction of your physical therapist. Focus on strengthening the muscles around your knee when your doctor releases you.

Enhanced ACL Recovery With PT

A physical therapist understands the steps necessary to heal your body and when they should occur after surgery. These professionals will customize a treatment plan that includes stretching and strengthening your muscles. Your training will include balance and gait improvement activities as well.

They will pursue alternative pain management strategies, such as electrical stimulation, heat and ice or ultrasound treatments.

Before your surgery, you should begin searching for physical therapist near me so you can prepare yourself and get your plan ready when you need to begin your therapy.

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