You Won't Recuperate With No ACL Physical Therapy

The ligament attaching the femur and the tibia bone is what we call the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. This ligament is situated diagonally in the middle of the said bones. This is an important ligament because it provides steady support to the leg and helps the rotation of the knee. A number of studies and surveys have reported that thousands of people every year actually have to go through an ACL renovation surgery. What happens following an ACL surgery is also vital. Patients have to undergo a series of ACL physical therapy so that the knee may recover properly in time. There are individuals who need to have the therapy for a period of 4 to 6 months but it also will depend on how fast the patient progresses.

Generally, it is right after the surgery that the individual is scheduled to have a post operative treatment. The doctor will be the one to recommend a physical therapist, whom the patient will need to visit around three times each week. Eight weeks following the initial treatment, the appointments can be decreased to twice each week. During the first weeks of the therapy, the patient is asked to do some strengthening exercises, which supports reduce the knee’s inflammation. These types of exercises can also tone the injured knee’s muscle tissues.

After around 8 weeks of ACL physical therapy, or even as soon as signs of recovery of the knee appear, the physical therapist will begin giving much more intense conditioning workouts. At this point of the therapy, the patient is going to strength train and do a couple of cardio exercises like using a bike or a treadmill. There may also be some new exercises aimed at restoring the balance and stability of the knee.

The last stages of the therapy, usually the last 2 or 3 months, will include exercises to promote balance, stability and knee muscle strength. There are many different exercises for this phase, but one of the most common may be the box jump. With this exercise, the patient will need to jump sideways onto a wooden container, which will be put near the patient. After jumping on to the box, the patient will be asked to jump once again landing on the other part of the box. It is necessary that both feet land together.

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