What should you avoid with an ACL injury?

After your injury, you should not play sports or do other strenuous activities until you and your doctor decide what treatment is best for you. If you have surgery to reconstruct your ACL: Follow instructions on self-care at home. You will need physical therapy to regain the full use of your knee.

What activities can you not do with a torn ACL?

If your physician okays walking after an ACL tear, you should avoid turning, twisting, or pivoting on the knee. This can lead to buckling or giving way of the knee and adding damage to the knee cartilage.

What aggravates ACL injury?

Rest & Immobilization: Once an ACL injury is diagnosed it is important that the affected area be rested immediately. Any further movement or stress will only aggravate the condition and prolong recovery.

Can you make an ACL injury worse?

An ACL tear that is not treated will get worse, not better. If left untreated, a small ACL tear will increase in size, causing more pain and increasing the laxity in the knee.

Do and don'ts after ACL injury?

Don't work your quadriceps early on because this can stretch the ACL graft. Stationery bike riding or lightweight leg presses are recommended during the first three months after surgery. These exercises strengthen the quadriceps while using the hamstrings to protect the ACL graft. Don't swim or run for five months.

ACL tear treatment - Is it possible to avoid surgery and further knee damage?

How long should you rest a torn ACL?

An ACL tear recovery time is generally eight to nine months, though some people may recover in six months.

Will you ever be the same after an ACL injury?

In some patients, their knee is not the same. In some patients, ten years later their knee is not the same. Some people do very well with ACL reconstruction surgery, some do very well with second or revision ACL surgery. Some do well with the third ACL reconstruction/revision surgery.

Can you speed up ACL recovery?

Restoring normal lymphatic flow is very important for the overall healing process to move from an acute phase to a repair stage. That's why optimizing lymphatic flow away from your knee post-surgery may help you speed up your recovery.

What's worse a torn meniscus or ACL?

Many ACL tears we see only have problems ascending stairs, jogging, or walking downhill but can walk up hills and on flat roads without an increase in pain. A meniscus tear, on the other hand, will cause fairly severe pain even just standing on it.

What puts stress on ACL?

ACL injuries often happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the knee: Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting) Pivoting with your foot firmly planted. Landing awkwardly from a jump.

What is the number 1 cause of an ACL tear?

The most common mechanism is that of a sudden pivoting or cutting maneuver during sporting activity, which is commonly seen in football, basketball and soccer. The ligament can also tear due to work injuries or automobile accidents. At the time of the injury, a “pop” or “snap” can sometimes be felt or heard.

Should you massage a torn ACL?

Slowly take your fingers and slide them across your skin, creating a rolling motion. Repeat this exercise for 2 to 3 minutes a few times a day. Massage is an excellent way to prevent you from forming scar tissue after you have ACL surgery.

What is the fastest way to recover from an ACL injury?

Should you stay in bed after ACL?

ACL reconstruction is usually a day case procedure. You may require an overnight stay depending on your recovery after the operation and the time of day it was done. You will need to see a physiotherapist before discharge.

What foods help heal ACL tears?

Read below for our top recommendations. Protein – soy, dairy, beans, eggs, cottage cheese, poultry, fish, meat, and nuts are all excellent sources of protein. Make sure you incorporate some into each meal to allow your bones and muscles to rebuild and help your immune system stay strong enough to fight off infection.

What foods help heal ACL?

For example, lots of fresh protein (i.e., oily fish, lean white meats, etc.), fruits, and vegetables, rather than sugary, fatty and pro-inflammatory foods.

What cardio is best for ACL injury?

Exercise Bike

This exercise can be started immediately after suffering an ACL injury. The key is to retain motion of the knee. When sitting on the bike it is important to set the seat height to work on both knee extensions (straightening) and flexion (bending).

Is biking good for ACL?

One of the biggest obstacles of recovery after ACL surgery is stiffness in the knee. Getting on the bike can be helpful in this regard, working to keep the knee moving, break through to new ranges of motion, and build strength and endurance in the leg, Celebi says.

Is ACL reconstruction worth it?

ACL reconstruction is generally recommended if: You're an athlete and want to continue in your sport, especially if the sport involves jumping, cutting or pivoting. More than one ligament is injured. You have a torn meniscus that requires repair.

Do braces prevent ACL tears?

Some studies suggest that braces can reduce the strain on the ACL during certain movements, which may mean they can prevent ACL tears.

How should you sleep with a torn ACL?

Sleep with your knee raised, but not bent. Put a pillow under your foot. Keep your leg raised as much as you can for the first few days. You can use a brace and crutches to move around the house to do daily tasks.

How long does a minor ACL tear take to heal?

The prognosis (outlook) for a partially torn ACL is often good, with the recovery and rehabilitation period usually lasting at least 3 months. However, some patients with partial ACL tears may still have instability symptoms.

Can you bend your knee with a torn ACL?

If you're able to put pressure on your hurt leg, you may notice that it's harder than normal to walk. Some people find that the knee joint feels looser than it should. Less range of motion. After you damage your ACL, it's very likely that you won't be able to bend and flex your knee like you normally would.

How do you know the severity of a torn ACL?