Treatment and Therapy for ACL Knee Injuries

There are various sports injuries that require specialized care. McGill University's Sport Medicine Clinic in Montreal is one of the best sports medicine clinics in the world. "services include acute care coverage, electrotherapy, assessment and treatment by physiotherapists and athletic therapists, biodex isokinetic testing, consultations in sport psychology, nutrition, osteopathy and massage and taping."

An ACL injury happens when there are sudden stops or directional turns applied in the game of basketball, volleyball, soccer or tennis and some other sports.

Though most ACL injuries are related to exercise and sports, the tearing of the ligament has been known to happen when a person slows down to turn direction with their foot firmly planted (not moving with the turn), twisting the knee, or overextending it.

An ACL injury is most often due to a descend from a jump in a sport like basketball, skiing, volleyball which was not performed properly and caused a tear in the knee ligaments. It also happens when the knee has been jerked quickly in a different direction.

Treatment and therapy

The goal of treatment is to get the knee working as normally as possible with the least evasive procedure. Athletes returning to their sport will need reconstructive surgery, but other people who are less active may be able to heal with rehabilitation alone. Rehabilitation will reduce swelling and strengthen the knee. The doctor will determine the best treatment for each individual concerned.

Therapy

Regardless of whether or not surgery is included in the treatment for ACL, therapy is necessary. Therapy will require crutches and or braces, motion exercises for the knee, muscle strengthening exercises and stability exercises.

Surgery

Arthrocentesis

The knee swells in a ACL injury because there is internal bleeding from the tearing of the ligament. An arthrocentesis is a procedure where the doctor insert a needle to take out the excess blood trapped in the knee.

Surgical reconstruction

Surgical reconstruction is done when the ACL injury is severe. When the ligament is torn too badly, unfortunately it cannot be sewn back together, so the arthrocentesis needle will be used to replace the ligament with a tendon that is taken from a different part of the body. This procedure is called a graft and a camera will be used to guide the graft and make sure the new tissue is in the right place.

Source:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acl-injury/DS00898/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis