ACL Injury/ACL Tear

What is an ACL Injury/ACL Tear?

ACL refers to Anterior Cruciate Ligament. This ligament connects your thigh bone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia) while also providing stabilisation for the knee joint. ACL tears or injuries may occur as a result of sports-related injuries, falls, or accidents. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation are first utilized for treatment however, if symptoms are not improving, surgery is often the next mode of action. 

What causes ACL Injury/ACL Tear?

  • Causes of ACL Injury/ACL Tear:

    • Sports Injuries
    • Accidents
    • Trauma to the ACL ligament

What does an ACL Injury/ACL tear feel like?

Symptoms of an ACL Injury/ACL tear:

  • A loud pop or a “popping” sensation in the knee.
  • Severe pain and inability to continue activity.
  • Rapid swelling.
  • Loss of range of motion.
  • A feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing.
  • Prolonged dull pain after injury

 

How can an ACL injury be managed?

Treatment

  • Joint mobilisation
  • Physiotherapy
  • Osteopathy
  • Massage and soft tissue release
  • ART & IASTM
  • Pain reduction using ultrasound, laser, IFC & TENS
  • Stretching and strengthening for knee, hip and core muscles
  • Biomechanical correction of ankle and foot by orthotics if indicated
  • Patellar tendon strap, iontophoresis)
  • Surgery