If you have injured your ACL or had surgery to repair it, check out physical therapy at Performance Therapy to get back to moving freely and learn injury prevention techniques.
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries can be excruciatingly painful, regardless of how they are sustained. If you have injured your ACL or had surgery to repair it, consider rehabilitation at Performance Therapy. We can guide you through the necessary steps to resume your normal activities without limitations.
The vast majority of functions you need to perform each day are only possible when your knees are functioning correctly. Specifically, the ACL plays a vital role in both everyday movements as well as advanced agility and sports-specific movements.
That is why it is so important to seek the help of a physical therapist following an ACL injury and subsequent repair. At Performance Therapy, our experienced physical therapists can help you move freely and provide injury prevention strategies.
WHAT TO EXPECT WITH ACL SURGERY
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shinbone, which helps keep the knee stable. When the ACL tears, it typically happens from a sudden stop, twist, or change in motion. A torn ACL often leads to loss of motion, significant swelling, and/or loss of weight-bearing ability.
This ligament is crucial to how the knee functions with everyday activities as well as advanced sports participation. Rehabilitation following ACL reconstructive surgery typically requires 6-9 months for normal daily activities and at least a year for safe return to sports. Extensive physical therapy and hard work are the cornerstones to a successful outcome.
We understand that this can be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging for an individual. There are a lot of ups and downs to the rehab process. For some, the struggle is being sidelined for as long as a year. For others, it is the physical grind to recover your pre-injury abilities.
At Performance Therapy, we make your rehabilitation process as smooth as possible to get you back to playing your sport.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ACL REHABILITATION
Establishing clear task-based progressions will provide structure and motivation for your ACL rehabilitation. We start with a post-surgical evaluation to identify all factors contributing to your current level of impairment and dysfunction. The goal is to understand more about your typical exercise schedule, the demands on the body, and your overall health.
Once we have gathered this information, our therapists develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any appropriate pain relief technique for the early stages of recovery.
The second phase of your rehabilitation will progress your strength and dynamic stability to restore function and prevent injuries. We incorporate balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure your knee can tolerate stopping and changing directions. Our injury avoidance techniques also focus on how to jump and land in the correct positions.
Your physical therapist will then introduce individual-specific treatments with a “return to activity/sport” progression to assist you in a safe return to training. Our goal is to achieve optimal and symmetrical movement quality.
Our progressions are based on:
Respecting your joints
The strength of your entire lower extremity and core
Your movement quality
Your overall tolerance to exercise
Do not let your ACL injury hinder your life or take you out of the game for good — regain your function and get back to the sport you love with physical therapy!
CONTACT US TODAY
At Performance Therapy, we will get you set up on a treatment plan following your surgery so you can begin your recovery process as soon as possible. Our expert physical therapists will also help you learn methods and techniques for protecting your knees in the future to prevent further pain or injury. If you have injured your ACL, contact a clinic near you today to request an appointment with our team!
Sources:
Comments