Protecting Your Knee from ACL Injury
If we put ACL injury in plain terms, it can be defined as a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). We have been told that the ACL keeps the knee secure. When the knee is stretched too much over its capacity limits (hyper-extended) or distorted, it may cause an injury to the ACL. Coming to a quick stop, pivoting with one foot steadily fixed on the ground, landing after a jumping with a sharp slow down (deceleration) are popular causes of ACL injuries in sports that rely so much on the ACL, such as basketball, football, soccer, and skiing. In layman’s term, ACL injuries are sometimes called “sprain”.
ACL injury may be indicated by several symptoms, the most frequent of which is the “popping” sound in the knee area when the injury occurs; within a short span of time after the injury swelling may be observed, which may be indicative of internal bleeding in the knee area. Excruciating pain is experienced on the outside and back of the knee, especially when you try to put burden on the injured limb. This results to the knee feeling unsteady, or “giving way”, if attempt to stand is made. ACL injuries can be a minor, mild injury or severe damage, which may involve quick medical attention and treatment that may include surgery.
Proper treatment may depend on how mild or how serious the injury is. In cases of mild ACL injury, quick and instant first aid may be administered by putting the knee at rest, placing ice on the affected area with a gentle compression applied and elevating the knee. Pain reliever may also be prescribed by the physician to diminish the pain. Crutches or ACL knee brace are sometimes recommended to protect the injured ACL during activity, ensuring that further injury doesn’t happen until swelling and pain has improved. There are a lot of knee braces available in the pharmacies, one of the most popular is DonJoy knee brace. In all likelihood, the doctor may advise physical therapy to help regain joint motion and leg strength.