When you play sports, you put stress on your body to keep up with the game’s demands. Without proper training and technique, it can get risky. Your body might not be able to keep up, resulting in injuries. For athletes, an ACL injury is a death sentence and can spell the end of a sports season.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of two ligaments in the middle of the knee that connect the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). The ligament handles a lot of sudden and high-impact pressure on the knee from jumping, landing, and abrupt changes in direction, which are common in sports like soccer, basketball, and skiing.
Symptoms Of ACL Injury
If this key ligament gets injured, you might hear or feel a popping sensation. Other common symptoms of an ACL tear include:
- Severe knee pain
- Rapid knee swelling (may start immediately or four to six hours after the injury)
- Instability, being unable to put weight on the knee
- Loss of range of motion
- Discomfort
- Tenderness
Types Of ACL Injury
An ACL injury is either partial or complete. The former happens when the ligament gets stretched and partially torn, while the latter is a severe injury where the ligament breaks into two. An ACL tear usually accompanies injuries to nearby knee structures, like the collateral ligaments, joint capsules, and cartilage.
Diagnosis And Treatment
To diagnose an ACL injury, your doctor will evaluate the injured knee and compare it to your other knee. A physical inspection can effectively diagnose an ACL tear, but your doctor may order diagnostic imaging tests to rule out other causes. An MRI scan shows whether your ACL is damaged and the extent of the injury.
If the ACL injury is mild, your doctor will recommend conservative treatment options, such as RICE therapy, or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Your doctor may also prescribe a brace or crutches to add stability to the knee while it heals.
For complete ACL tears, your doctor may recommend surgery. Your orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged ligament during ACL surgery and replaces it with a healthy tendon, typically taken from your hamstring or kneecap.
After surgery, you would have to go through physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and range of motion. It usually takes six to nine months to make a full recovery.
Prevention
ACL injuries are more common than you think. In the United States, around 100,000 to 200,000 incidents happen every year. Although it can happen to anyone, females are four times more likely to sustain a torn ACL than males.
As the saying goes, prevention is still better than a cure. If you don’t want an ACL injury to set you back, proper training and exercise can go a long way. You can consult with a sports doctor who can craft a personalized exercise plan to help you reduce the risk of an ACL injury. It may include exercises targeting the leg muscles and core. You will also learn the proper technique and knee position when jumping, landing, changing directions, and pivoting.
For female athletes who are more vulnerable to an ACL injury, your sports doctor may recommend strength training that focuses on the legs, hips, and core. Consider investing in footwear and knee padding to prevent damage to the ligament.
ACL Injury Treatment In Bismarck, ND
Due to scientific advancements, an ACL tear is no longer the career-ending injury it once was. With the help of a doctor invested in every point of your care, you can get back to everyday life in no time. For expert and patient-centered orthopedic care, visit The Bone & Joint Center. Our bone and joint specialists can diagnose and treat a wide range of sports injuries, including ACL tears.
Depending on your condition’s severity, we will recommend treatments to relieve painful symptoms and speed up healing. If the ligament has sustained significant damage, we may recommend surgery. Our orthopedic surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to help you get back to the sport you love as soon as safely possible.
If you would like to schedule an appointment, call us at (800) 424-2663 or fill out our online form. We have several locations across North Dakota to serve you. Give us a call today, and let us help you conquer knee pain!
