Your knee joint comprises different bones, such as the kneecap and femur. The anterior cruciate ligament is a flexible yet strong band of tissues in your knee joints that connect the femur. It combines with the posterior cruciate ligament to develop a cross shape. However, if you experience an ACL injury, you need proper treatment.
Why? It leads to severe pain that prevents you from doing your daily activities. Sometimes, you may need ACL surgery to treat the condition. Thereafter, rehabilitation involves a lengthy recovery process. You need to go through different phases of ACL rehab.
The Rehab Process
The surgical treatment for ACL injury helps you regain your range of motion. It also straightens your knee to restore its functioning. During the post-operative period, you have to undergo various stages. You may consult an expert to get physical therapy for ACL tear.
1st Stage
Your goal is to reduce swelling after surgery. So, apply ice to the affected part or use compression bandages based on the expert’s recommendations. You have to do quadricep setting exercises during this recovery period to bend and extend your knees properly.
2nd Stage
You should aim for recovering your muscle strength and regaining your single-leg balance. The best exercises for you are:
- Hip abduction
- Calf raises
- Squats
- Lunges
- Step-ups
Some physical therapists also recommend non-aerobic activities, such as:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Cycling
3rd Stage
Your physical therapy sessions will help you achieve the best hopping performance. You will regain balance and full strength with activities like ladder drills and shuttle runs. The therapist will create an agility program for your recovery.
4th Stage
This phase is not the same for every patient. The therapy will check if your knee is strong and stable. You should be mentally prepared and confident about your ability to play sports.
Your normal routine should also incorporate some normal training activities. Physical training will continue until you successfully resume your daily activities. The progressive training sessions focus on your strength and balance.
5th Stage
Preventing the risk of re-injury is the main goal at this stage. The injury prevention program is performed before you fully engage in sports. For instance, you have to practice jumping and strength exercises regularly. You can speak to your physical therapist to learn about the therapies and exercises.
More About ACL Injury and Rehabilitation
ACL injuries range from minor tears to severe ones. If your ACL has a full rupture, you’ll likely need surgical reconstruction. The ACL rehabilitation program is intended for surgical and conservative options. An ACL injury’s conservative treatment is the right choice for patients with a sedentary lifestyle. The therapist will make decisions depending on your age and instability symptoms. If physiotherapy cannot reduce your knee’s symptomatic instability, you may need surgical solutions. The surgeon will also check if there is cartilage damage.
Look for the best therapist to start your ACL rehab program. They will customize your program depending on your injury level and other factors. You will also learn about the length of the recovery period.
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