ACL injury

The knee joint’s anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the main ligaments that joins the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). Unexpected twisting or pivoting motions, direct hits to the knee, or overextending the knee joint can all cause the ACL injury such as strained, partially torn, or totally torn.

Causes of ACL injury:

Many factors can lead to ACL injury. The following are a few common ACL injury causes:

1. Sports: ACL injuries are frequently observed in sports involving sudden stops, starts, jumping, and direction changes. ACL injuries are more common in sports like football, basketball, skiing, and gymnastics.
2. Direct trauma: Direct trauma to the knee joint, such as from a fall or a car accident, can also result in ACL injury.
3. Improper technique: Incorrect pivoting or cutting movements, poor landing mechanics, and poor jumping form can all place too much strain on the ACL and increase the chance of injury.
4. Muscle imbalances: The risk of an ACL injury can be increased by weakness or muscular imbalances in the legs, especially the quadriceps and hamstrings.

Signs and symptoms of ACL injury:

Depending on how severe the injury is, many signs and symptoms of an ACL injury can vary. Common signs and symptoms include:

1. An injury-related popping sound or sensation in the knee.
2. knee joint swelling and severe pain.
3. Instability, buckling or a sense that the knee is giving way.
4. Having trouble putting weight on the injured leg.
5. Limited knee joint range of motion.
6. Tenderness around the knee joint.
7. Bruising around the knee joint.
8. Tightness or stiffness in the knee joint.
9. Walking or other knee-moving movements that cause pain.
10. Also, The knee joint may feel loose or appear to be out of alignment.

The degree of the ACL injury and the patient’s level of activity may affect the course of treatment. Rest, ice, compression, and physiotherapy are examples of non-surgical treatment alternatives. Surgical procedures include reconstructing the ligament using a graft from another area of the body or from a donor. To aid in the recovery process and assist the knee joint to regain strength, flexibility, and stability, rehabilitation and physiotherapy are crucial components.

Physiotherapy treatment for ACL injury:

The ACL injury treatment program for patients must include physiotherapy. Restoring normal joint range of motion and flexibility, reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation, and enhancing muscle strength and endurance are the main objectives of physiotherapy.

Some common physiotherapy treatments for ACL injuries may include:

1. First Range of motion exercises: These exercises aid in regaining the usual range of motion in the knee joint and prevent stiffness. Examples could be light stretching, knee extension and flexion exercises, ankle pumps, heel slides, and passive and active range of motion exercises.
2. Secondly Strengthening exercises: Exercises that increase muscular strength and endurance around the knee can support the knee and assist to prevent additional injury. Exercises that strengthen the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles are a few examples.
   • Mini-squats, quad sets, and straight leg lifts can all assist in quadriceps muscle strength.
   • The hamstring muscles can be strengthened using bridging, hamstring curls, and Romanian deadlifts.
   • Exercises that strengthen the calf muscles include heel rises, and calf raises.
3. Thirdly Balance and proprioception exercises: By enhancing balance and body awareness, these activities can lower the risk of falling and reinjury. Examples could be standing on uneven surfaces, single-leg balance drills, or dynamic balance drills, and side-to-side hops.
4. Then Manual therapy: Physiotherapist uses soft tissue and joint mobilization, stretching, cupping, and some instruments to regain joint range of motion by reducing pain and stiffness.
5. Then Functional training: This involves practicing particular motions and tasks needed for everyday work and athletic competition. After ACL damage, this may help to boost one’s self-esteem and functioning ability.
6. Finally Plyometric and agility training.