Health Tips- The Big 5 of ACL Injury Prevention

According to www.orthoinfo.aaos.org , an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain or tear is one of the most common knee injuries. In fact, roughly 200,000 ACL-related injuries occurin the United States annually. We will take a look at the causes of ACL injury, symptoms you may be experiences and ways to help prevent injury.

What Are Some Of the Causes of an ACL Injury?

About 70% of ACL injuries in athletes happen through mechanisms such as pivoting, cutting, sidestepping, out of control play, or landing incorrectly, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In addition, the intensity of the sports being played, wrong footgear and gender can also impact the risk of an ACL injury. In fact, in a study provided by NIH Medline Plus, young women are two to eight times more likely to injure their ACLs as compared to their male counterparts.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury typically include (mayoclinic.org):

A loud “pop” or a “popping” sensation in the knee
Severe pain and inability to continue activity
Rapid swelling
Loss of range of motion
A feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing

Prevention Tips from Our Physical Therapist

Prevention is key. Remember the Big 5:

Warm Up
Stretch
Agility Drills
Strengthen
Cool Down

Most importantly, talk to a professional about your concerns. A physical therapist or athletic trainer can provide an assessment, develop a program and give you feedback on your techniques, which can reduce the risk if injury.

If you are concerned about ACL injuries, contact one of our clinics today and let us guide you with a plan for prevention or treatment.

Therapy Center’s Physical Therapist, Kassy provides a great overview of the risk areas, what to look for as you land, cut, or lift weights. Watch our video for more and remember the “Big 5 to Prevent ACL Tears”.