Acl sprain
![acl sprain acl sprain](https://www.ortho.wustl.edu/mm/images/Illustrations/ACLRightKneeEdited.jpg)
Although it is impossible to prevent all injuries, Athletico’s ACL 3P program can help athletes be confident in the steps they have taken to reduce the risk of injury so that they can stay in the game. To reduce the number of ACL injuries and improve the outcomes for athletes that suffer an injury, Athletico Physical Therapy offers the ACL 3P Program, which stands for Prevention, Progression and Performance. Physical therapy is then performed to restore function of the knee. Because the ACL lacks a blood supply and cannot heal on its own, surgery involves reconstructing the ACL ligament, using a patient’s own tissue or a cadaver tissue, in order to reestablish stability to the knee. Surgery: This option is determined by the treating physician, but is often a treatment option for Grade 3 injuries or unstable sprains.The patient may be able to return to their pre-injury ability with an ACL sprain without surgical intervention. Treatment may include ROM exercises, and focuses on decreasing swelling, increasing quad and hamstring strength, and normalizing functional movements such as walking, squatting and stairs. Physical Therapy: Typically is performed for those who have sustained an ACL sprain (Grades 1 or 2).Treatment options may vary depending on if the ligament was a grade 1, 2 or 3 injury, however, some generally guidelines can be outlined. An ACL tear is when the ligament has partially or fully torn and can no longer perform its designed function. The ligament has sustained some minor to moderate tearing, but the ligament has remained intact and can still perform its designed function. Therefore, an ACL sprain is a Grade 1 or 2 injury to the ACL. Grade 3 Torn or Ruptured Ligament: The ligament has torn in a manner that the ligament is only partially intact or is no longer intact at all.Grade 2 Moderate Ligament Tear: There is a moderate amount of tearing to the ACL, but again the ACL remain intact.Grades 1 Mild Ligament Tear: There is minimal microscopic tearing to the ACL, but the ACL remains intact.
![acl sprain acl sprain](https://cdn-prod.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/325/325866/an-infographic-of-an-acl-injury.jpg)
![acl sprain acl sprain](https://midamericaortho.com/images/shutterstock_1249203556_1.jpg)
There is a standard grading system used to classify the extent of an ACL injury: This is particularly important for our topic at hand, because the difference between an ACL sprain and an ACL tear is the extent to which the ligament has been injured. However, this may not always provide clear answers and further testing may need to be done.Īn MRI is able to provide a picture of the ACL and is extremely useful in determining if the ACL has sustained an injury and if so to what extent. Using all the information gained the clinician is able to determine if an ACL injury is suspected. A thorough history of how the injury occurred all provide useful information. The presence of swelling and loss of range of motion (ROM) may be noted. A positive test is noted when the ligament does not seem to be preventing the motion it is designed to.
ACL SPRAIN MANUAL
When an ACL injury is suspected, there are two main ways this injury is assessed.įirst, a physical examination can be performed using several manual tests to assess the integrity of the ACL. The ACL is an important ligament in providing stability of the knee during dynamic movements, particularly with cutting, jumping, decelerating or twisting motions.Ī typical ACL injury occurs when the knee buckles in toward the middle, can possibly be associated with a popping sound, and frequently occurs during a non-contact activity. The ACL provides stability to your knee by controlling forward movement of your shin bone along with rotational movements at the knee. The ACL is located near the center of your knee and creates an X formation with your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament that connects your shin bone (the tibia) with your thigh bone (the femur). So you might be wondering what’s the difference between an ACL sprain and tear?įirst, it may be helpful to review what the ACL actually is. While many factors may influence the recovery process, one significant factor is determining if the ACL is sprained or torn. Yet, there is often differences in the treatments and recovery of an ACL injury. ACL injuries are one of the most recognized knee injuries that occurs in patients of all ages.