Before tearing knee ligaments

Immediately after ACL injury, the knee may swell, feel unstable and too painful to bear weight. Many people hear the "pop" in their knee occurs when an ACL injury.

Define

C aggression injured ACL is torn ligament before, inside the knee joint. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports-related sudden stops and changes direction, such as basketball, football, tennis and volleyball.


Immediately after ACL injury, the knee may swell, feel unstable and too painful to bear weight. Many people hear the "pop" in their knee occurs when an ACL injury.

Depending on the severity of ACL injury, treatment may include surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation exercises to help regain strength and stability. If your favorite sport involves jumping or pivoting, appropriate training programs can help reduce the risk of ACL injury.

The symptoms

At the time of ACL injuries, signs and symptoms may include:

A big sound "pop".

Pain.

Swelling of the knee is more severe for hours after the injury occurs.

The feeling of instability or carrying a heavy object.

Most people seek medical care immediately after ACL injury.

Cause

A ligament is a tissue connected to other bones. ACL, a ligament in two cross in the middle of the knee, femur bone connecting tube (tibia) and helps stabilize the knee joint.

Most ACL injuries occur in sports and fitness activities. Ligaments can tear when running a sudden change of direction or office with feet planted, twisted or stretched too much knee.

Ha from a jump can hurt ACL, possibly during downhill skiing. Football or motor vehicle accidents can cause ACL injury. However, most ACL injuries occur without such contact.

The risk factors

Women are particularly likely to have ACL tear than men participate in the same sport. Women tend to have an imbalance of power, with the engine at the front of the thigh (quadriceps) muscles stronger in the back of the thigh (hamstrings). The hamstrings prevents the tibia sliding too far forward. When down from a jump, some women may be lower in a position to increase tension on the ACL.

Complications

Those who underwent ACL injury risk for developing high knee osteoarthritis, in which cartilage degeneration and loss of smooth rough surfaces. Arthritis can occur even with surgery to reconstruct the ligament.

Tests and diagnosis

Usually the diagnosis can be made ​​based on clinical examination, but may need tests to rule out other causes and to determine the severity of the injury.

X-rays. X-rays may be necessary to remove a bone fracture. However, X-rays can not visualize soft tissues such as ligaments and tendons.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce images of both hard and soft tissues in the body. MRI can show the extent of the injury and whether the ACL knee ligament or cartilage injury.

Ultrasound. Using sound waves to visualize internal structures, ultrasound can be used to test the injury ligaments, tendons and muscles of the knee.

Arthroscopy. During arthroscopy, the doctor inserts optic cable and other tools in the knee through a very small incision. This allows the physician to directly see the damage, in many cases, repairs done at the same time.

Treatments and drugs

Initial treatment for ACL injuries aim to reduce pain and swelling in the knee joints regain normal movement and strengthen the muscles around the knee.

The doctor will then decide if you need surgery plus rehabilitation or rehabilitation alone. The choice depends on many factors, including the extent of damage to the knee and is willing to modify the operation.

Athletes need of sports involving cutting, pivoting or jumping usually surgical reconstruction to prevent instability. Sedentary - often able to maintain stability for the knee rehabilitation.

Therapy

Treatment and rehabilitation will be required to have knee surgery. Treatment will include:

Using crutches and can double knee.

Range of motion exercises to regain full knee motion.

Exercise increases muscle strength and stability.

Surgery and other procedures

Arthrocentesis. ACL injuries tend to cause bleeding inside the knee, which can lead to significant swelling. This swelling can be reduced with arthrocentesis, a procedure in which the needle is put into the knee joint to collect the excess fluid.

Surgical reconstruction. ACL tear can not succeed when sewn together, so the ligament is replaced by a piece of tendon from another part of the foot. This surgery is usually performed arthroscopically through small incisions around the knee. A camera is used to guide placement ACL graft.

Lifestyle and remedies

If you choose non-surgical treatment of ACL injury, should avoid participating in sports activities in the future related to the pivoting or jumping.

Self-care treatments can be used at home include:

Rest. Using crutches to avoid bearing the full weight on the knee after ACL injury.

Pressure. Try getting knee at least 20 minutes every two hours at a time.

Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage or wrap around the knee compression.

Improve pillow. Lie down with a knee resting on the pillow.

Analgesics. Analgesics such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) when necessary.

Prevention

To reduce the chance of ACL injury, follow these tips:

Impro training. The training program has been proven to be effective in helping to reduce the risk of ACL injuries often include exercises to strengthen and stabilize, plyometric exercises, "jump training and risk awareness training. Exercise improves balance can also help to implement training combined with other exercises.

Strengthening hamstring. Especially women athletes should be sure to strengthen the hamstrings and quadriceps.

Use proper technique. If the sport involves jumping, learn how to land safely. Studies have shown if the knee collapses inward from a jump, are more likely to ACL injury. Technical training with some of hip strengthening can help reduce this risk.

Check device downhill, be sure to ski binding is adjusted correctly by a professional.

Even double knee has not been found to be useful in preventing ACL injuries.