Not so long ago twin sisters aged fifteen years of age in the same sport at the same game injured their ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in their knee. One did the left knee the other her right. An ACL injury causes the recipient to be restrictive when it comes to any side way movement, in others words you cannot side shuffle, change direction quickly, step to either side and also you cannot weight bare. ACL damage is one of the most common knee injuries equated to running, jumping and contact sports for males or females. These particular twins were playing the sport of choice netball, which has a lot of stop start movements as well as plenty of jumping and running and the occasional contact.
So with this journey into the unknown of a ACL injury we had plenty of questions that needed answers, so we could get to the end with the correct results.
What can cause this injury?
The surgeon explained that an ACL knee injury happens due to incorrect weight allocation to the knee area from down would force of your bodies movements. For example being tackled in a rugby game and being pushed back in a kneeling position backwards with your thigh area going the wrong direction to your knee and lower leg. Side stepping with the wrong weight distribution. Also playing netball and when landing after jumping having your weight go the wrong way you want causing you to twist your knee. Being over weight and trying to train again with not enough support from your thigh, calf and hamstrings to your knee.
How could this been prevented?
Preventative measures for this injury means having to build up and strengthen the muscles in your quad (thigh), calf and hamstrings. By incorporating exercises to suit these muscle parts you will have an excellent chance of non-injury in that area. Also technique is a vital ingredient to support this, executing the correct movements with the right about of force will lessen the risk of injury.
Take a look at the top sprinters in the world, look at the development of their quads, calves and hamstring areas, they are unbelievable, but this is why they can run at super human speeds. They have bi-o-mechanically changed their body shape to cope with the G-forces they put out when they run.
How do you treat this injury?
According to the surgeon the treatment depends a lot on the severity of the injury. An x-ray followed by a MRI may be required to fully assess the damage and give the best course of what is needed to sort out the injury surgically. This operation consists of cartilage (ligament) replacement; grafting mainly from your hamstrings does this and the new ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is fastening to the femur (thigh bone) and the fibula (lower leg) by staples or screws.
What is the next step after surgery?
Rest period of around two weeks keeping leg elevated, also at the same time try to slowly weight bare with the use of crutches when going to the bath or moving around, remembering to only do what you can depending on how much pain you can tolerate. The main reason for this is to get the walking movements back, because the surgery would have caused your knee to cease up. Once you and your physio are confident in your progress rehab in the gym can start.
What does the physio offer?
Firstly you get an expert in the field of Anatomy and physiology that means they have the best knowledge of what the human body can and cannot do. They will put you through the right program for your knee recovery, explaining why you must do certain exercises for your rehab. They also have the ability to tell if you are not doing your program to the best of your capability. The physio is your ticket to a speedy recovery, but only if you have the commitment and determination to do the work.
When can one go back to physical activities?
Once you have done all the work required and the physio is happy with the progress, only then can he determine whether or not you are ready for that big step back into physical activity. Some of the factors may be that your muscle development from surgery has finally improved to a state where you can now begin to train and exercise more frequently. Also that you are able to increase your work load in your sessions, like weight training-lifting more, running longer and more importantly have less uncomfortable pain from you injury. Lastly the fact that your visits with your physio have gone from everyday to one visit a week shows him you are do the work not just with him, but also at home.
So these are just some of the questions you may want to ask your surgeon and physiotherapist if you are ever in this situation requiring an ACL knee injury.
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