The Various Stages Of An ACL Physical Therapy

The ligament which brings together the tibia to the femur bone is known as anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. It's positioned diagonally in the middle of these two bones. This ligament provides support and enables the knee to rotate. Based on the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, close to a hundred thousand people each year must undergo reconstruction surgery because of knee ligament tears which can be generally acquired while playing sports. Following an ACL surgery, individuals are expected to go through ACL physical therapy to help make the knee heal faster. A lot of people have to go through the therapy for four to six months in order for their knees and legs to function normally.

Soon after the surgery, the person has to undergo a post surgical therapy. The individual will probably be instructed to visit the physical therapist thrice a week. Immediately after eight weeks, the appointments may be lowered to merely twice each week. For the first few weeks, you'll do a couple of strengthening exercises. This will help to reduce swelling at the same time improve your knee muscles. You must keep doing these routines on days that you don't visit your therapist. The routines should be done for half an hour to an hour each day.

Perhaps after two months of therapy, as soon as your knee has already healed, your physical therapist will now give you a more intense knee strengthening exercises. At this point of your ACL physical therapy, you may be recommended to lift weights and do some cardiovascular exercises such as on a treadmill or bike. Furthermore, you may be given different exercises which are meant to bring back the stability and balance of your knee. You may even have the option to do this in fitness or health clubs rather than going to a medical therapy center.

The remaining two to three months of your therapy will include balance, stability and strength exercises which will examine the full recovery of your injured knee. One of the exercises done at this point of your therapy is called the box jump. You will be asked to jump sideways on to a wooden box. The box will be put beside you. When you have jumped on to the box, you will then jump once more landing on the other side of the box, with both your feet landing together. Eventually, when you have regained the full functioning of your knee, you will be able to jump on the other side of the box effortlessly.

You may experience some discomfort and pain over these stages of your ACL physical therapy. This is normal since your knees and also the muscles surrounding it are still on the process of healing. This may take time therefore lots of patience is required.