By Dr. Cherri Tsang
PT, DPT
One of the most common knee injuries is a sprain or tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The ACL is one of the four major ligaments of the knee and it helps provide knee stability during activities. Athletes who play sports involving cutting, pivoting, jumping and sudden stops are at higher risk of ACL injuries. These include sports such as football, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, gymnastics and downhill skiing. Several studies have shown that female athletes are also at higher risk of ACL injuries compared to male athletes. Many people experience their knee buckle and may hear or feel a “pop” in the knee when an ACL rupture occurs. Knee swelling within the first few hours after the injury is also common.
If you have a knee injury, it is important to have a thorough evaluation by a Doctor of Physical Therapy, offered at ProFysio Physical Therapy. About 50 percent of ACL injuries occur in combination with damage to another knee structure, such as the meniscus, other ligaments or articular cartilage. Your doctor of physical therapy can help determine possible injured structures and recommended course of care. Referral to an orthopedist for further assessment and possible imaging, in conjunction with physical therapy, may be recommended.
Treatment for an ACL injury may include surgical or non-surgical options, depending on the extent of the injury, your activity level and the amount of instability during these activities. Physical therapy is a crucial part of rehabilitation for both surgical and non-surgical treatment.
Additionally, research suggests that certain neuromuscular and proprioceptive training programs can help prevent ACL and lower extremity injuries in athletes for certain sports. A doctor of physical therapy can help implement these exercises into a team’s warm up to help prevent injuries. An individual athlete can also be assessed for musculoskeletal risk factors that can be addressed to decrease risk of injury.
If you would like more information about physical therapy for injury prevention or treatment after a knee injury, call ProFysio Physical Therapy at 732-333-6360 for a free one-on-one consultation.
ProFysio is located at 1212 Route 34, Suite 24-25, Aberdeen; and 2124 Route 35 S, Holmdel. For more information, call 732-333-6360 or visit www.profysionj.com.
