17 Oct What is an ACL Tear?
Orthopedist in Nassau County
From athletes to everyday people, the looming threat of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear can be worrisome for anyone. The ACL is one of the four major joints that’s able to give the knee stability. If a tear occurs, it can potentially have a quality of life-altering effect. Examples of this could be a season-ending sports injury or even making everyday activities such as walking a strenuous task. If you have suffered from this injury, Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation has a Brooklyn orthopedist that can provide assistance.
Who is at risk
Usually, athletes are the most common group of people who suffer from ACL tears. Those specifically at risk are the ones who play a sport that involves a sudden change of direction. Football and soccer are strong examples of this since they involve precise/sharp movements in order to dodge defenders. ACL tears typically occur during a non-contact injury that involves a sudden twisting motion. The injury can require surgery, and this combined with the rehab process ordinarily forces an athlete to miss their entire season. In severe cases, the injury can also cut into the following season, depending upon the extent of the rehab process.
What it is
Physicians are able to diagnose the severity of ACL injuries by classifying them through a grading system. Grades one and two refer to when the ligament is either stretched or partially torn. A grade three is only diagnosed when there is a complete tear of the ligament. When this occurs, the ACL is torn into two pieces, which results in the knee joint becoming unstable.
Symptoms
Symptoms that have been reported in regards to an ACL tear include:
- Experiencing a “pop” at the time of injury
- Immediate swelling of the knee after injury
- Restricted range of motion
- Feeling of the knee “giving out”
- Deep pain within the knee
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation has a Brooklyn orthopedist that will determine the best course of action moving forward.
Prevention
Often times, the tearing of an ACL can be a freak incident, occurring spontaneously without warning. Because of this, preventive measure for an ACL tear are often difficult to anticipate and time correctly. However, athletes do have the option of incorporating workout regimens that can prepare them for a potential knee injury and possibly preclude it all together. These regimens often include running, stretching, strength exercises, agility training, and a cool down to help combat this type of knee injury. This program should be done 2-3 times a week in order to fully maximize the potential injury prevention benefits. For more information, you can contact a local Brooklyn orthopedist at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation.
Treatment
Unfortunately, even with prevention training, it is still plausible for an ACL injury to occur. When this happens, there are various treatment options available for use, depending upon the severity of the tear. Small and partial tears can be treated with physical therapy and wearing knee braces to help gradually increase strength and stability in the knee. More serious cases may call for surgical repair. After the surgery, physical therapy is necessary and it will often be 12 months before an athlete can return to games. Our Brooklyn orthopedist at Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation can evaluate your injury to make sure you get the best treatment possible.
Missing time due to an injury can be disheartening for an athlete. While prevention methods can be put in place, sometimes a freak accident occurs that results in injury. If this has happened to you, please contact Advanced Orthopedics & Joint Preservation to see our Brooklyn orthopedist so you can begin treatment and get yourself back on the field.
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