ACL tears and the accompanying pain can be extremely troubling and debilitating. The human knee is fairly fragile, and ligament tears can occur due to anything from physical activity to simply twisting the wrong way. The key to overcoming a torn ACL is to repair the tear and set up a recovery plan.
How Does a Physical Therapist Diagnose Your Knee Injury
Lachman Test
The Lachman Test is one of the first tests your physical therapist will perform to determine whether or not your knee injury is a torn ACL.
Drawer Test
This test involves pulling the ACL forward while simultaneously pushing the PCL back. The Drawer Test will be done either before or after the Lachman Test.
Common Symptoms of a Torn ACL
Shooting pain to the outside of the knee
ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament, so when you tear it, you will feel in your entire knee, but more specifically around the outside portion.
Loss of strength to the affected knee
It’s common with a torn ACL for your knee to suddenly give out, and you feel almost like someone kicked your feet out from under you. The ACL is essential to standing and walking, and without it, you will be extremely weak and limited.
Swelling and redness around the knee
Swelling and redness are a surefire sign that something is amiss. If it accompanies any of the other ACL symptoms, then a torn ACL is the likely culprit.
Your knee begins to look malformed
If you don’t get your knee taken care of soon enough, it will begin to look odd or deformed.
Exercises and Treatment in Physical Therapy
Rest the knee and maintain the swelling
The first and most important step to recovery after surgery is to rest your knee and keep the swelling down. This is done by staying in bed for several days or weeks, elevating your knee, and icing it.
Walking and isometric exercises
Everyone’s recovery is different, and a physical therapist will determine when you’re ready to start walking. Some light isometric exercises may be performed as well.
Strengthening the muscles around the knee
Because your knee is weak, you will need to strengthen muscles around your knee to aid in its recovery. This includes your quads, hamstrings, hips, and glutes.
It will be up to your physical therapist to determine the best route of recovery. We will create a personalized plan that is catered to your needs and get you back on your feet as soon as possible.
If you're looking for a trusted Berkeley Heights physical therapy practice, you've come to the right place. Our compassionate team is committed to helping you overcome pain, improve function, and enjoy a better quality of life. Call (908) 603-9605 or fill out our "Contact Us" form to schedule an appointment with one of our skilled therapists today.
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