One of the most common sports-related knee injuries is damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL is the ligament that connects the upper leg bone (femur) with the lower leg bone (tibia). High demand sports, which emphasize stop-and-go movements, jumping, or weaving through other players or obstacles, provide an increased risk for ACL injuries.
Physical therapists can teach athletes strengthening and flexibility exercises to prevent knee injuries as well as offer proprioceptive therapy, which teaches an athlete how to jump, land, and pivot more efficiently. Physical therapists also play an important role in the rehabilitation of a knee injury, whether it was treated surgically or not.
Prevention
The best way to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is to stretch and strengthen the leg muscles, especially the front and back muscles of the thigh (quadriceps and hamstrings).
Other precautions that may help prevent ACL injuries include:
- Avoid running downhill unless you are fully conditioned.
- Avoid wearing shoes with cleats in contact sports.
- Avoid wearing high-heeled shoes.
If you have already had an ACL injury, you can avoid another ACL injury by:
- Strengthening the injured knee through rehabilitation exercises.
- Changing your sports techniques to avoid motions that might stress the injured knee.
- Changing your lifestyle to avoid sports that have a high risk of injuring your knee further, such as skiing, football, soccer, or basketball.
- Wearing a knee brace during high-risk activities. However, braces should be used only if rehabilitation is also being done. Wearing a brace alone may be of little benefit and may give you a false sense of security.
Programs to prevent ACL injuries generally emphasize injury awareness, avoidance techniques, and stretching, strengthening, and jumping exercises to help reduce ACL injuries. Tips to prevent ACL injuries include practicing landing after jumps with the knees bent and crouching when pivoting and turning.
If you have questions regarding an ACL injury or other injuries to your knee, contact your nearest BaySport office and speak with a licensed physical therapist. Complimentary injury screenings are available.
