How to Avoid an ACL Tear

06 Sep How to Avoid an ACL Tear

ACL Tear – Orthopedist in Nassau County

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries can be extremely painful and are very common among young athletes. More than 50,000 ACL injuries occur in female athletes at the high school and intercollegiate varsity levels in an average year. If you have suffered from an ACL tear or want more information, contact our Brooklyn orthopedist at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation today.  

ACL Function

Ligaments are what connect bones to other bones. They hold the bones together and keep your knee stable. The ACL is a ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone, at the knee. ACL tears can be caused by:

• Quickly changing direction
• Suddenly stopping
• Slowing down while running
• Landing from a jump
• Direct contact or collision

ACL Tear Symptoms

When an ACL tear occurs, your knee may give out and will likely hear a popping sound. Some of the other symptoms include:

• Immediate swelling after the injury
• Loss of full range of motion
• Instability in the knee
• Tenderness along the joint
• Discomfort while walking
• Knee may feel warm to the touch

ACL Tear Prevention

ACL injuries often come on suddenly and without warning and therefore can be difficult to prevent. Speaking with our Brooklyn orthopedist at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation is a good place to start. Risk factors such as reduced hamstring strength and weak muscle areas can be identified by an orthopedist and thus help prevent injury through specific stretches and exercises. Some current studies also found that specific types of training, such as jump routines and learning to pivot properly, have helped athletes prevent ACL injuries.

How Can Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation Help?

If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms or could be at risk for an ACL tear, our orthopedist in Wantagh can help you. We offer quality care with a specialty in sports medicine. Treatment for an ACL injury depends on the severity of the injury and can range from nonsurgical treatment, like wearing a brace or going to physical therapy, to surgical treatment. Contact our Brooklyn Orthopedist today so we can come up with the best treatment plan for you.