You Won't Ever Recover Without An ACL Physical Therapy

The ligament affixing the femur to the tibia bone is exactly what we call the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. This ligament is positioned diagonally in the center of the said bone fragments. It is really an important ligament since it gives steady support to the knee and helps the rotator of the knee. A number of studies and surveys have stated that lots of people every year actually have to go through an ACL renovation surgery. What happens following an ACL surgery can also be vital. Patients have to undergo a series of ACL physical therapy so that the knee can recover properly and in time. There are individuals who need to have the therapy for a period of 4 to 6 months but it also depends upon how quickly the patient progresses.

Generally, it is right after the actual surgery that the individual is scheduled to have a post operative treatment. The doctor will be the one to suggest a physical therapist, whom the patient will need to visit around three occasions each week. Eight weeks following the initial treatment, the appointments can be lowered to twice per week. During the first weeks of the therapy, the individual is asked to perform some strengthening exercises, which will help reduce the knee’s inflammation. These types of exercises can also tone the injured knee’s muscles.

After around eight weeks of ACL physical therapy, or as soon as signs of recuperation of the knee appear, the physical therapist begins giving more intense conditioning exercises. At this stage of the therapy, the patient is going to strength train and do a handful of cardio exercises such as using a bike or a treadmill. There may also be newer and more effective exercises aimed at restoring the balance and stability of the knee.

The final stages of the therapy, usually the last two or three months, will include workouts to promote balance, stability and knee muscle strength. There are various workouts for this phase, but one of the most common is the box jump. With this exercise, the patient will need to jump sideways on to a wooden container, which will be put near the patient. After leaping on to the box, the individual will be asked to leap once again landing on the other part of the box. It is important that both feet land together.

These workouts may be difficult at first, but after the patient has regained the entire functioning of his or her knee, it will be easier to leap on the other side of the container. It is natural to feel some pain and discomfort during the course of the ACL physical therapy. This is because the knee and the muscles surrounding it are still on the way to recovery.