knee

ACL  knee ligament injuries

ACL  knee ligament injuries

ACL  knee ligament injuries 765 402 Ace Health Centre

ACL  knee ligament injuries

A common injury athletes fear is ACL  knee ligament injuries. Why is this though? You may hear announcers talk about an athlete’s rehab journey after they have returned. You may even hear them talk about how bad it will be if it was the ACL that was injured on the play. So why is it that this particular injury is feared more than others?

Purpose of the ACL knee ligament

Like all ligaments, the ACL’s job is to maintain efficient movement within the knee. The ACL helps stabilize the knee and prevents the shin from sliding forward. It does this by attaching from the posterior aspect of the thigh bone (femur) to the anterior portion of the shin bone (tibia). The ACL does not work alone though. There are several other ligaments that surround the knee to help stabilize it. These include the MCL, PCL, and LCL. Along with the combination of ligaments, the muscles surrounding the knee also help the knee move and stabilize.

Mechanism of Injury

For the most part, we will see ACL injuries from athletes involved in contact sports, or sports with a quick change in directions. Depending on the severity, the injury can be classified under grade 1, 2, or 3. Grade 1 injuries can be described as mild, painful with minimal stretching/tearing of ligament fibers. The next is Grade 2 injuries can be described as moderate. It can be painful with up to 50% of ligament fibers torn. And finally, Grade 3 injuries can be described as severe. It may or may not be painful, and complete rupture of the ligament fibers.

Although grade 1 and 2 injuries are not as severe, we can still see recovery times lasting up to 12 weeks. But how do you tell the difference between the grade of injury? While a proper assessment by a health professional can determine this. Athletes will have an idea of when a grade 3 injury has occurred as there will be a popping sound.

Recovery

Now to discuss the injury we all fear as athletes. Grade 3 ACL injury. Grade 3 injuries differ to the grade 1 and 2 injury for recovery as the ligament has been ruptured. This means that most athletes will opt for surgery. ACL reconstruction is a surgery performed to replace the ruptured ligament with a hamstring tendon or patella tendon. So we have a replacement ligament, but why does it take so long for athletes to return to sport? The tendon is not built the same way a ligament is but can adapt to do the job. This takes time for the adaption to take place. The recovery for this can last around 9 months for a full return to sport (sometimes longer).

Following surgery the new ligament will be limited in the movement it is allowed to prevent re-rupture. During this time we may lose muscle mass, and strength in the operated leg. Along with the surgeon’s protocol for exercises, it is important to work with a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can safely manage exercises, and progress exercises to provide optimal recovery. As we start to feel better, less pain, and stronger we may think we are ready for a return to sport. However, returning too early can increase our risk of re-rupture.

From this understanding, it is important to work with surgeons, doctors, coaches, and physiotherapists to help design a return to sport plan.

A podiatrist is much more than just a foot doctor

A Podiatrist is much more than just a foot expert

A Podiatrist is much more than just a foot expert 926 639 Ace Health Centre

Not many people know that, but a Podiatrist doesn’t just treat injuries relating the feet. They are experts in their field and can diagnose, treat and manage injuries. These can be injuries concerning the feet, knees, hips and even the lower back.

What does a podiatrist treat?

On average, 1 in 6 people living on the Gold Coast has experienced foot complications in some form in their lives. A number all but surprising, considering the fact that people are up on their feet, putting all of their body weight through the soles of their feet most of the day.

Getting your feet and lower limbs checked regularly by a podiatrist can help to discover any predisposing factors.  This may help prevent much unnecessary pain and problems.

Podiatry practice is a discipline of medicine that’s obtaining recognition from people who are going through lower limb injuries. These injuries can be around the feet, the knee hip, and lower back.

Why are healthy feet and ankles so important?

People generally forget about taking care of their ankles and feet. Even though they hold by far, the most burdens of the human body. Day in Day out, they keep us balanced, absorb the vibration, and provide propulsion to allow us to move.

As you start to age people discover that their feet exhibit complications as a result of deterioration of extended years of use. Complications such as arthritis, reduced blood flow, damaged nerves may develop. With the aid of a podiatrist, they can study the cause of the problem, diagnose, and then suggest treatment strategies.

Podiatrists are experts in their respective fields

Becoming a podiatrist isn’t easy. It is an exclusive practice that necessitates the podiatry student to pass through 4 years of difficult university exams and 1000 hours of practical work.

At first sight, people believe that the feet are simply a basic portion of the human body. However, if we provide distinctive attention to how many bones, nerve fibers, connecting tissues, and joints located in the feet and ankles, and the stress that they go through, we’ll value and understand the importance of taking care of our feet.

Happy feet is the key to a happy life so make sure you get yours checked regularly by an experienced podiatrist in your area.