Understanding ACL Tears and How Stride Physical Therapy Can Help

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a crucial role in stabilizing your knee. Located in the center of the knee, the ACL connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps prevent excessive movement. It ensures that your knee can properly handle activities like walking, running, twisting, and jumping. But when the ACL gets injured, it can significantly affect your mobility and daily activities. In this blog, we’ll dive into how the ACL is damaged, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and how Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, can help you recover and regain your mobility.

What Causes an ACL Injury?

The ACL is most commonly injured during high-stress movements such as sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction. This often occurs in sports that involve jumping, quick changes in movement, or heavy physical contact like basketball, soccer, football, and skiing. A direct blow to the knee while the foot is planted on the ground can also lead to an ACL injury.

While anyone can suffer from an ACL tear, studies show that women tend to experience ACL injuries without direct contact more frequently than men. This could be due to differences in biomechanics, muscle strength, or hormonal influences on ligaments.

Symptoms of an ACL Tear

If you suspect you have torn your ACL, here are some of the most common symptoms to look for:

1. Instability in the Knee – You may experience a “giving-out” sensation, feeling like your knee is about to buckle under pressure.

2. Knee Pain – Pain usually occurs immediately after the injury, especially when moving the knee or putting weight on it.

3. Swelling – Swelling typically begins within hours of the injury and may limit movement.

4. Discoloration – Bruising or discoloration around the knee joint is a common sign of trauma.

Diagnosing an ACL Tear

To assess an ACL injury, your doctor will start by asking questions about your injury history and how the injury occurred. After a thorough physical exam, your doctor may suggest an MRI, which is the most effective diagnostic tool for detecting ACL tears. The MRI provides a clear image of the soft tissues, including the ACL, and helps the doctor determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment for ACL Tears

The treatment for an ACL tear depends on the severity of the injury, the patient’s age, activity level, and overall health. In some cases, non-surgical treatment may be an option, especially for less severe tears or if the patient is less active. However, for many individuals, surgery is necessary to restore knee stability and function.

ACL Surgery

For a complete tear, the most common surgical treatment is arthroscopic surgery. This minimally invasive procedure involves making small incisions to insert a camera and surgical tools into the knee. The surgeon will then remove the damaged ACL and replace it with a new graft. The graft can be either:

1. Allograft – Tissue from a deceased donor.

2. Autograft – Tissue taken from your own body, commonly from the hamstring or patellar tendon.

The surgeon will secure the graft with screws, allowing the new ligament to gradually integrate into the knee for optimal stability.

Pre-Surgery Care: What to Do After the Injury

Before undergoing surgery, managing pain and reducing swelling are essential for a successful recovery. Here are some steps you can take immediately following an ACL injury:

1. Rest – Avoid putting weight on your injured leg. Use crutches if necessary to keep weight off the knee.

2. Ice – Apply ice packs to the knee in a 20-minute-on, 40-minute-off cycle for the first few days after the injury to reduce swelling.

3. Compression – Wear a compression bandage to help control swelling.

4. Elevation – Elevate your leg above heart level whenever possible to reduce swelling.

5. Medication – Follow your doctor’s advice on anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers to manage discomfort.

6. Exercise – Start strengthening your quadriceps and hamstrings to support the knee before surgery.

Rehabilitation After Surgery

Once you’ve had surgery, physical therapy plays a key role in your recovery. At Stride Physical Therapy, we use personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs, focusing on:

• Restoring knee strength – We’ll help you rebuild strength in your quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles to stabilize the knee.

• Improving flexibility – Regaining full range of motion is crucial, and we’ll guide you through exercises to help you move your knee freely without pain.

• Rebuilding endurance – As you progress, we'll work on increasing your overall endurance, so you can return to sports or daily activities with confidence.

How Stride Physical Therapy Can Help You Recover

At Stride Physical Therapy, our experienced therapists will assess your condition and develop a rehabilitation plan that’s tailored to your specific needs. Through a combination of hands-on therapy, strength training, and mobility exercises, we’ll work together to restore your knee’s function and help you regain your active lifestyle.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery or managing an ACL injury conservatively, we provide the support and guidance you need every step of the way. Our goal is to help you return to your favorite activities pain-free and stronger than ever.

Get Lasting Relief with Stride Physical Therapy

Don’t let an ACL injury keep you from enjoying life. If you’re suffering from ACL tear discomfort or are recovering from surgery, our expert physical therapists at Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, are here to help. Book an appointment with us today and take the first step towards a pain-free future!

📞 Call Stride Physical Therapy in Freehold, NJ, to schedule your consultation!