ACL is a common abbreviation for your anterior cruciate ligament, which helps connect your femur and tibia bones inside your knee joint. Injuries to this ligament are commonly associated with participation in both contact and noncontact sports. The course of rehabilitation for an ACL injury varies according to its severity and the method used for treatment.
ACL Injury Basics
Types of ACL damage include overstretching injuries and partial or complete ligament tears. You can experience these forms of damage if you receive a traumatic blow to the side of your knee joint, or if you make various sports- or exercise-related movements, including rapid stopping or pivoting and abrupt changes of direction while running. In most cases, adults with ACL tears either pull the ligament free of the femur or strain the ligament's middle section. People who damage their ACLs also frequently damage other structures in the knee joint.
Initial Rehab Steps
After you damage your ACL, you will receive some sort of cold therapy to reduce any swelling in your knee. Your doctor will then likely ask you to perform pain free range of motion and strengthening exercises. Your doctor will also ask you certain questions in order to determine whether or not you will need surgery. If you're willing to modify your activities and avoid sharp or jarring knee movements, then your rehabilitation may proceed without surgery. However, if you need to regain the full use of your knee joint, you may need to undergo a surgical repair before the rest of your rehab begins.
Non-Surgical Rehab
If you and your doctor don't opt for surgery, your rehabilitation will continue to be based on range of motion exercises and exercises that strengthen the muscles around your knee. The general goal of this type of rehab is providing your knee with enough stability for you to walk and maneuver your body in everyday situations. In addition to performing exercises during the rehabilitation process, your doctor will typically ask you to use crutches, and may also ask you to wear a knee brace.
Post-Surgical Rehab
If you have ACL surgery, rehab immediately after your procedure will center on range of motion exercises, hamstring stretches and strengthening exercises such as calf raises and static hamstring and quadriceps contractions. As you progress in your rehab program, you will also perform weight bearing exercises and hip strengthening exercises such as abductions and adductions. Your doctor will also ensure that you can walk properly and maintain your balance and sense of body awareness. If you play sports, the latter stage of rehab typically includes jogging and other aerobic exercises, as well as sport specific motions that may include cutting, jumping and landing drills, rapid changes of direction and backward and sideways running.
Consult your doctor to determine what kind of ACL treatment you need and what sort of rehabilitation will work best in your circumstances.
