An ACL sprain is characterized as a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. The ACL is crucial in stabilizing the knee when it rotates. ACL sprains are most common in sports where planting the foot and abruptly changing direction occur, such as football and basketball. It is common for an ACL tear to affect other parts of the knee, such as other ligaments. There are three grades to ACL sprains directly relating to the severity of the injury:
- Grade 1 – Least severe grade; minor damage to ACL, but still supports knee
- Grade 2 – ACL is stretched and partially torn, knee is somewhat unstable
- Grade 3 – Most severe grade; ACL is torn or completely separated from bone
What is the cause?
The most common cause for an ACL sprain is when the knee twists pasts its normal limit while the foot is firmly in the ground. Abruptly stopping, changing directions, or landing on the foot in an awkward position can also sprain an ACL. Direct blows to the knee can also injure the knee, such as a football tackle. The ACL is only so flexible to the point where it can be torn fairly easily. ACL injuries are some of the most common ways for an athlete to be sidelined. Proper stretching and exercise is needed to prevent this injury.
What are the symptoms?
- Immediate “pop” sound
- Sharp pain in knee, accompanied by swelling
- Knee gives out
- Painful to walk on
Our staff is well trained to correctly diagnose and treat ACL sprains.
Tests
We can order imaging tests to properly assess what is causing the symptoms.
- MRI
An MRI can show how much damage and to what degree the knee has been affected.
Treatments
Treatments for an ACL Sprain are broken down into three segments:
- Pain Reduction
Stopping or decreasing the activity that is causing the pain is the main goal of our first treatment segment. Applying ice and heat alternatively throughout the day will help with both pain and inflammation. Our Class 4 laser treatment is very effective for this segment. - Exercise and proper stretching
Custom and effective physiotherapy regiment to both decrease pain and restore proper function to the knee. - Physiotherapy Techniques
- Class 4 laser
- Graston Technique Therapy
Successful in effectively treating all soft tissue conditions, whether they are chronic, acute or post- surgical. The technique and instruments enable the treatment of scar tissue and fascial restrictions during rehabilitation that allows for faster rehabilitation and with greater success when the goal is restoring range of motion, eliminating pain, and restoring normal function. - ART active release technique
- E-stim
Electric muscle stimulation using a device that delivers electronic pulses to motor nerves through electrodes placed on the skin, causing a motor response to achieve a number of desired results. - Cold laser
Cold laser therapy is low-intensity laser therapy that stimulates healing while using low levels of light. Different wavelengths and outputs of low-level light are applied directly to a targeted area where the body tissue then absorbs the light. The red and near-infrared light cause a reaction and the damaged cells respond with a physiological reaction that promotes regeneration.