Everything You Need to Know About Physiotherapy and ACL Injuries

Experiencing an ACL tear can be a daunting setback–especially for an athlete. While you may be able to rehabilitate with physiotherapy alone in some cases, most athletes opt for ACL repair surgery to return to their chosen sport. Regardless of which path you take, physiotherapy for ACL injuries at Rhema-Gold Physiotherapy is here to help.

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a band of tissue that connects the shin bone to the thigh bone and prevents the knee joint from moving too far out of range. Tears to the ACL typically occur during activities that involve sudden stops, jumps, or changes in direction, which is why they’re so common among athletes.

Physiotherapy for ACL injuries involves a structured and strategic plan to help you regain strength, stability, and confidence to return to your favorite activities. Today, we want to explore our role in rehabilitating after an ACL tear, regardless of whether or not you opt for surgical intervention.

Keep reading to learn how physiotherapy can help you recover from an ACL tear and return to an active lifestyle.

The Three Grades of ACL Injuries

Not all ACL tears are the same. Experts categorize them into three grades based on severity. Your pain levels, symptoms, and treatment options will vary based on which grade of ACL tear you’ve experienced:

Grade 1 (ACL Sprain)

• This is the mildest form of an ACL injury. The ligament is overstretched with several micro tears but can still help keep the knee joint stable. You’ll experience minor swelling and pain, but the knee remains relatively functional. You can typically resolve a Grade 1 tear with physiotherapy alone.

Grade 2 (Partial ACL Tear)

• This is a moderate ACL injury, in which only a portion of the ACL is torn–enough for the ACL to become loose and cause some instability in the knee. You’ll experience more pain and swelling, and athletes will generally need to seek surgical intervention to resolve the injury.

Grade 3 (Complete ACL Tear)

• This is the most severe type of ACL injury, in which the ligament is completely torn into two pieces. Symptoms include significant pain, swelling, and the inability to bear weight on the affected leg. You will likely require surgery to address it.

Physiotherapy for ACL Injuries: What to Expect

Physiotherapy’s role in addressing an ACL injury is similar whether or not you underwent an ACL repair surgery. In both cases, we’ll help you manage pain, improve mobility and strength in the knee, and restore balance, gait, and overall function. However, the exact details and timeline of your rehabilitation will vary.

Here are a few of the treatment methods we might incorporate:

Manual Therapy

• Manual therapy includes different hands-on techniques, such as soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilization. It can help manage pain, improve mobility, and facilitate your body’s natural healing processes. If you’re recovering from surgery, it also helps prevent the formation of scar tissue, which can cause issues down the road.

Therapeutic Exercise

• Targeted, progressive exercises are crucial in ACL tear rehab. We’ll start with mobilization exercises to improve range of motion before moving on to strengthening exercises to build up the muscles that surround and support the knee. Early mobilization and movement are especially important if you’re rehabilitating after surgery.

Functional Training

• In addition to general strengthening and stretching exercises, we’ll guide you through exercises that mimic your day-to-day movements to help you “train” for those everyday activities. For athletes, this includes sports-specific movements, but even if you’re not an athlete, we’ll help you relearn how to walk, climb stairs, and more. We’ll also help you restore your balance and stability.

Return-to-Activity Schedules

• We know you’re eager to get back to your favorite sports and recreational activities! To ensure you don’t do too much too soon and injure yourself, we’ll provide you with a personalized return-to-activity plan, including movement modifications and other strategies to help you stay safe, active, and injury-free.

Personalized Physiotherapy for ACL Injuries at Rhema-Gold Physiotherapy

No matter your ACL tear rehabilitation needs, our physiotherapists are here to help. We’ll work with you and other care team members to develop a treatment program that addresses your specific injury and recovery goals.

To get started with physiotherapy for ACL injuries, schedule an initial consultation today!