Contraindicated Exercises For A Torn Acl

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the four major stabilizing ligaments in the human knee. A tear to the ACL may require a rest from exercise. When you do begin to exercise, you will most likely need to avoid certain types of exercise until your ACL heals to avoid exacerbating the injury and slowing the healing process. Consult with your doctor and/or therapist concerning exercise during your recovery.

Pain

The amount and types of exercise allowed with an ACL injury depend on the severity of the tear. Pain during exercise indicates the need to stop exercising and contact your doctor. In most cases, your return to exercise is gradual, allowing you to rebuild the muscle and endurance in the area. Running and jumping are two types of exercise that you typically have to avoid with a torn ACL; however, any exercise that causes discomfort is likely contraindicated for a knee injury.

Open Chain Exercises

An open chain exercise is one where the force applied by your body is greater than any resistance encountered. These types of exercises may be contraindicated during torn ACL recovery in some cases because they cause increased displacement in the area, according to North Austin Sports Medicine. Knee extension machines require open chain movement, making them poor choices during ACL recovery. Leg presses are another example of open chain exercises that could exacerbate a torn ACL. Closed chain exercises, which include weight-bearing exercises like squats, may be a better choice because they emphasize compression of joints, which helps stabilize the joint.

High Impact

Any type of exercise that places a large amount of impact on the knee is not typically part of ACL rehabilitation. In addition to running or jogging, biking and vigorous swimming are also types of high impact exercise. Low impact versions of these activities are safe for some people with an ACL injury, but taking it easy and slow allows your knee to heal, while helping you stay in shape. Choose activities under the supervision of your doctor or physical therapist that allow you to keep your strength up without hindering the healing process.

Sports

Several sports require twisting, pivoting and turning movements that increase the risk of a torn ACL. These includes football, soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball and skiing. As you recover, you may have to avoid these sports to prevent making the injury worse and slowing healing. Tennis and track are other sports that may cause an ACL injury and are poor choices during recovery.