Can an ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament) heal with physiotherapy?
Published: 11 October 2024
You are out playing football or rugby with your team, club or friends. You make a sharp turn to react to gameplay and feel and hear a pop in your knee, followed by extreme pain and swelling. You hobble off the pitch and need to receive medical treatment but you experience instability in your knee. There is a very good chance that you have just suffered an injury to your ACL, otherwise known as your anterior cruciate ligament. Learn about the impact that physiotherapy and a bespoke rehabilitation programme can have on your ACL tear with the expert team at The Physio Clinic Glasgow.
What is an ACL tear (anterior cruciate ligament)?
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a fundamental support to a knee joint. It is one of the key ligaments that stabilises the knee. It is crucial for proper knee movement and stability. An ACL tear can be serious and can have consequences for your health, your movement and ultimately your life.
ACL tears often occur as a result of high-intensity sports such as football, rugby, skiing and rugby, where the knee is often twisted as a result of running to pivot or change direction. Unfortunately, it is not unusual to injure other structures such as the cartilage or meniscus in the same instance.
If you have an injured ACL, you might be able to continue to perform normal day-to-day activities however, continuing to play or compete in sports is a no-go, and many promising sports careers are put at risk as a result of ACL injuries.
ACL injuries are also referred to as sprains and are graded in line with the severity of the injury.
- Grade 1 – The ligament is only slightly stretched, and therefore damage is mild. The knee joint remains stable.
- Grade 2 – The ligament is stretched to the point that it is becoming unstable and loose. These are considered partial tears.
- Grade 3 – This ligament is ruptured, and there is a complete tear of the ACL. The knee joint is often unstable, and the ligament can be split in the middle or torn from the bone.
What are the symptoms of an ACL Tear?
This injury is common among athletes, particularly in sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction.
- A loud "pop" sound at the time of injury
- Severe pain and inability to continue activity
- Rapid swelling of the knee
- Loss of range of motion
- The knee can feel unstable or like it is "giving way" with weight-bearing
- Tenderness along the joint line
- Discomfort while walking.
Diagnosis typically involves physical exams and imaging tests like MRI. Treatment can vary from rehab to rebuild strength and avoid knee instability to surgical repair, depending on the severity of the tear and the individual's activity level.
What role does physiotherapy have in rehabilitation?
There is no doubt that an ACL can be a devastating injury. There are different options available when treating ACL injuries. The "knee-jerk" reaction can be ACL surgical reconstruction however, not all ACL injuries require surgery. At Physio Clinic Glasgow, we have helped many patients recover from an ACL tear and return to competitive sports.
Physiotherapy for ACL tears focuses on helping to restore the knee’s function and range of motion by reducing pain and swelling. The goal is to stabilise the knee and regain strength in the muscles of the thigh and leg as a whole. To increase knee stability as quickly as possible, a knee brace can often be recommended.
Our physiotherapists work with individuals who have suffered an ACL injury to: -
- Reduce swelling and pain
- Increase to the full range of motion
- Strengthen knee, joints, legs and pelvis
- Improve kneecap alignment
- Improve mobility and balance
- Reduce chances of re-injury
We offer a tailored approach to rehabilitation, ensuring that we are advising patients to rest where necessary, educating them on the condition, diagnosis and recovery, offering pain management, and providing at-home exercises to improve range, mobility and strength. We will also provide advice which is tailored to the type of sport or physical activity that is in question and ensure that we are completely aware of personal goals and objectives.
When knee surgery may be more appropriate
There are occasions where surgery may be the most appropriate form of treatment for a torn ACL. This is particularly the case when a patient is younger and has a full life of knee use before them, they wish to return to high-performing competitive sports, the ACL tear exists alongside another knee injury, or the tear is so severe that even everyday activities such as walking are challenging.
It is important to be aware not all high grade injuries require ACL reconstruction, and many people may cope without surgery.
The Role of ACL Rehabilitation
Treatment for ACL tears is not a binary choice. It is not the case that it is either surgery or physiotherapy. Whether you are having ACL surgery or not, it is important to receive a rehabilitation management programme to ensure that you are optimising the chances of returning to sports and physical activity.
Contact Physio Clinic Glasgow today.
With a focus on evidence-based practice, our experienced, fully qualified physiotherapists will perform a thorough initial assessment, allowing us to give you a simple explanation for your injury or pain. Your physiotherapist will guide you through your personalised rehabilitation plan to ensure it meets your needs and fits into your schedule. Contact our expert team on 07936 035234.