ACL – Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
Today we are going to talk about one of the most common knee injuries – an ACL strain / tear. Hey everyone – it’s Dr. Matthew Toone and Dr. Jordan Brady here from Aspen Ridge Physical Therapy in Layton. We see patients all the time who injure their knee during skiing or sports, and we can help to rule in/out whether it is a torn ACL or not
What is your ACL? In your knee, you have several ligaments that hold the two bones together (your femur or thigh bone, and your tibia or shin bone). The ACL specifically is deep in the joint and it connects to the inner portion of those bones and prevents forward and backward movement of the tibia (or lower leg bone) and specifically prevents anterior translation, or forward movement of the tibia away from the femur.
How Can You Tear or Strain Your ACL?
- A sudden stop or change in direction during sports
- When your foot is planted and you go to pivot or juke/cut and twist at the knee
- You land awkwardly from a jump and your knee ‘caves’ in medially or in
- A direct blow to the front or side of the knee (like a football tackle)
What are the Signs & Symptoms of an ACL Injury?
- You hear or feel a ‘pop
- Severe pain immediately after the injury
- You have significant pain during any twisting motion of the knee
- Your knee swells up immediately after the injury
- You are very weak, and feel like your knee will give out
An ACL tear is a very serious injury and almost always requires surgery. Typically you will know if it is torn because you typically can’t walk or put weight on the leg following the injury. However, it is possible to strain the ACL, which often a Doctor will send you to Physical Therapy first in hopes to restore range of motion, decrease pain and swelling, and build the strength and stability back up in hopes to avoid a surgery.
If you have had a fall or injury and you are worried you may have possibly torn your ACL, come in and our Doctors of Physical Therapy can do an assessment and help you know what your next steps are. Whether you are a young athlete, or just had a fall or accident, ACL injuries are common and something that we can treat and help you with. We are Davis County’s leading Physical Therapy clinic, and we’ve been treating runners and athletes for years and can help you get back to your sport or hobbies you love. Call us today with any questions or to set up an appointment. You can reach us at 801-773-1350
