ACL Injuries: One of the most common knee injuries
The term ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament. This is the location of one of the most common knee injuries.
The ACL is among the tissue bands that hold the bones in your knee together, which also provide stability to your knee. There are many ways that you can tear or stretch your ACL. It could be a sudden movement. It could also be because of a sharp or quick turn when you are jumping or running.
More often than not, an ACL injury can be very painful. When your ACL is injured you would find it hard to walk or put any pressure on your leg.
First aid
The most appropriate treatment for an ACL injury will depend on a number of factors, including how severe the injury is. There are a number of treatment options that your doctor might suggest. The most basic option is part of First Aid. This is sufficient only when you have suffered a minor injury. The First Aid will involve putting ice on your knee, staying off your feet for a certain period of time, as well as keeping your leg raised. You can also wrap your knee with an ace bandage to help reduce the swelling. You may also use crutches in order to keep the weight from your knee.
Medicines
Normally anti-inflammatory medicines are prescribed by the doctors. Their main purpose is to reduce the pain and swelling. In some cases, she or he may prescribe stronger medicines. If you have excessive pain, your doctor may inject steroid medicines in your knee.
Knee brace
If your ACL has been damaged you may have to wear a knee brace. This is especially for when you are running or taking part in any sporting activity. It provides the additional support that you need for these activities.
Physical therapy
In some cases of ACL injury, you would need physiotherapy a few days in a week. This would help your knee get back in working order. During these sessions you would be doing exercises that make the muscles that surround your knee stronger. They would help you get back the full range of motion as well. You would be shown the exercises with the expectation that you would also do them at home.
Surgery: Surgery is very much a last resort. However, it is normally needed where your ACL has been torn so badly that nothing else can be done. Surgery to correct an ACL tear is pretty common among athletes. However, you may also have to get surgery done on your ACL if it gives away when you are walking. This would essentially involve the removal of the damaged ACL. It would be replaced with tissue that would help a new ligament grow in its stead. If you undergo physical therapy after surgery you should be fully fit to play professional sports 12 months after the surgery.
