The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most commonly injured ligaments in the knee joint. ACL injuries are common in sports like basketball, football, and soccer and are usually caused by tripping or landing with the knee joint in an awkward position or when your knee buckles and twists inward. This causes your ligaments to stretch out and tear. An ACL tear can sideline you from sports for months or years. However, ACL injuries are treatable, and many athletes return to their sports after ACL surgery.
ACL Tears can result in significant physical and emotional pain for anyone who has experienced the injury.
Recovery from an ACL tear can be grueling, but with proper rehabilitation and patience, most ACL-rehabbing athletes can return to their old activities in less than a year. Recovery time following an ACL injury varies depending on the damage to the ligament. In a situation with a partial ligament tear, recovery time is minimal and may occur within the first few days after the injury. In cases with a complete ligament tear, recovery from an ACL tear involves several steps. Each step is essential for a successful ACL recovery and should be taken immediately after an ACL tear. There are several stages of rehab, each with its unique exercises and exercises that should be avoided. The sooner you recover, the sooner your ACL-rehabbing sports activities can start again.
ACL Reconstruction
An ACL reconstruction is the most common surgical treatment for ACL injuries.
If you are unfortunate enough to sustain an ACL injury, your surgeon will most likely recommend that you have surgery. An ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure that replaces the ACL with an artificial ligament. Reconstructing the ligament is more reliable and predictable than ACL reconstruction surgery in animals. A dislocated knee can be one of a person’s most painful experiences. But with proper treatment and rehabilitation, an ACL tear can result in a complete recovery.
ACL injuries are no laughing matter, but they also don’t need to be a source of stress and fear. Recovering from an ACL reconstruction is a long and challenging process. But with the right plan, you can do it.
I had a few emails from people asking for videos of ACL surgery.
I spent some time on YouTube and picked the best ones I could find.
Here are two.
I hope they help show you what an ACL injury is, how they determine if you have an ACL injury and how they do the ACL surgery.
ACL Injury & Surgery Information
I like this video because there is excellent information on what the ACL is, the causes of an ACL injury, how they test for an ACL injury, how they determine an ACL injury, and how they do the ACL surgery.
ACL Surgery
With this one, they focus more on the surgery.
If you want to read the rest of my ACL injury series, click here.
Rick Kaselj, MS
