An ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear is a common injury that affects the knee joint. In fact, an ACL tear makes up approximately 70% of all serious knee injuries. Here are some quick ACL tear facts:

• ACL tears commonly affect soccer and basketball players, skiers, gymnasts and other athletes
• About 70% of ACL tears are the result of non-contact injuries
• About 30% are the result of direct contact injuries
• Women are 4-6 times more likely than men to experience an ACL tear

Your physical therapist, along with your surgeon, can help you determine which ACL tear treatment option is best for you.

How do you get an ACL tear?

An ACL tear is the result of excessive stretching that can result in a tear of the ligament. The most common ways it can tear is if you:

• Stop suddenly or change direction quickly
• Twist your knee while keeping your foot planted on the ground
• Shift your weight from one leg to another suddenly
• Jump and land on a straightened knee
• Stretch the knee farther than you should
• Experience a direct hit to the knee

If you have an ACL tear, here are some of the most common symptoms.

ACL Tear Treatment

Your doctor or physical therapist will conduct a thorough evaluation to see if you have an ACL tear. Once an ACL tear has been diagnosed, they will help you decide which ACL tear treatment is best—if you need to have surgery or if you can recover fully without it.

ACL Tear Treatment—No Surgery. Your physical therapist will work with you to restore your muscle strength, coordination balance and endurance, so you can return to your regular activities. You will also learn the best ways to modify your physical activity to ensure you put less stress on your knee.

ACL Tear Treatment—Surgery. If you have a major ACL injury, including a complete tear of the ligament, surgery will be necessary. In most cases, surgery will involve using a segment of another healthy tendon to replace the damaged ACL.

Can I Prevent an ACL Injury?

It’s important to treat an ACL injury, but prevention should be your top priority. Here are some tips: 

• Warm up properly—warming up right will get your body ready for any activity. It will prepare your lungs, muscles, heart and joints
• Avoid activities that cause pain
• Rest and recovery—it’s important to help your joints and soft tissues recover between workouts or training sessions
• Strengthen and stretch—the muscles around the knee should be in top condition to prevent ACL injury

If you need physical therapy for an ACL injury, the physical therapists at Above and Beyond Physical Therapy can teach you exercises to help restore your normal knee motion, stability and strength. They will tailor an ACL treatment plan specifically for you and your needs to get you on the road to recovery! Schedule an appointment today!