Treating And Recovering From A Torn ACL

Arthroscopic Surgery

ACL tears are usually treated with arthroscopic surgery, especially if the patient is an athlete, or the injury is severe and in different areas of the knee. Most individuals need surgery to prevent further injury. The surgery doesn’t take place immediately after the injury. Instead, it is scheduled ahead of time to plan for treatment that will be necessary before and after the operation. This time also allows for the initial swelling and bleeding to decrease.

Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and reconstructs the ligament with an instrument called an arthroscope. The new ligament may be constructed from tissue retrieved from a tendon in another part of the body or from a donor. The damaged ligament is removed and replaced with the healthy tissue, called a tendon graft. New ligament tissue will grow on the graft. Stitches are taken out within the first couple of weeks, and patients who have jobs with low activity are usually able to return to work. Rehabilitative therapy is undertaken after surgery to restore stability and function to the knee.

Continue reading to reveal the next method used to treat a torn ACL.

Rehabilitative Exercise Program

A rehabilitative exercise program is a course of therapy typically recommended after surgery. The exercises restore the knee's full range of motion, strengthen weakened muscles, and decrease pain and swelling. The physical therapist will determine an appropriate exercise routine based on their patient's fitness level, age, and the type of surgery they had. The rehabilitative exercise program is designed to straighten the knee and strengthen quadriceps muscles. Strengthening exercises are done in the first few weeks to work on restoring full range of motion in the knee.

Once patients can walk normally, they can go back to work. The doctor will let patients know the timeline for resuming their regular activities while they continue rehabbing their knee. Patients should be pain-free and on their way to resuming some of their favorite activities in four to six months. However, it may take patients a few more months to get back to their pre-injury condition. ACL rehab exercises can be done even after full mobility has been restored to keep the area in good shape.

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