Ask an athlete about their most-feared sports injury and many will give the same answer - the ACL tear. Common in sports ranging from skiing to football to soccer to judo, a third-degree anterior cruciate ligament injury requires reconstructive knee surgery and will often sideline an athlete for over a year. To ensure the fastest possible return to activity and the minimum possibility of re-injury, a well-planned ACL injury rehabilitation program must be followed.
Types of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
ACL injuries are categorized into three levels, depending on the severity:
First-Degree Tears - This very common sports injury is the least serious anterior cruciate ligament injury and involves a partial (longitudinal) tear of the ligament. Does not require knee surgery.
Second-Degree Tear - A more serious tear where the ACL is stretched slightly more than a first-degree but remains intact. Reconstructive knee surgery is rarely used.
Third-Degree Tear - A complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament, resulting in severe destabilization of the knee joint. ACL reconstructive surgery is recommended in the majority of cases.
Preparing for Knee Surgery After an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
- The stronger the muscles surrounding knee joint are pre-surgery, the better position the patient will be in to begin ACL injury rehabilitation after reconstructive knee surgery.
- The quadriceps, hamstring, groin, and calf muscles work together to support the knee joint and must all be kept strong. Consult a sports injury specialist to create a program.
Points to Remember Before Reconstructive Knee Surgery
- Maintain a maximum range of motion of the knee joint through stretching and low-impact activities. Try riding a stationary bike and slowly lowering the seat.
- When working the quadriceps, pay attention to fully straightening the leg. This ensures full contraction of the muscle. However, full leg extension may not be possible if the meniscus cartilage is also torn.
Knee Surgery Rehabilitation Strategy Following ACL Reconstructive Surgery
Because reconstructive knee surgery involves building a new ACL, the structures of the knee joint will be delicate for some time. For this reason it is always best to work with an experienced sports injury specialist when beginning a knee surgery rehabilitation program. The priorities for ACL injury rehabilitation are:
- Scar tissue will form quickly in the knee joint after surgery, inhibiting range of motion. It is vital to start working on range of motion immediately after ACL reconstructive surgery.
- Strengthening the muscles surrounding the knee joint will support the joint and protect the knee ligaments from injury in the future. Work the quadriceps, hamstrings, groin, and calf muscles.
- Maintaining flexibility of the muscles will reduce tension on the joint and protect the anterior cruciate ligament from future injury.
- The ligaments of the knee joint are extremely delicate following surgery. Don’t risk re-injury by pushing the recovery program. Perform every exercise in a controlled manner.
ACL Knee Surgery Rehabilitation is a Game of Patience
Athletes who rush their knee surgery rehabilitation program and return to activity too soon after reconstructive knee surgery run a serious risk of suffering another anterior cruciate ligament injury. The fastest and safest way for an athlete to return to their sport is by focussing on slowly strengthening the knee joint and following the advice of an experienced sports injury specialist.
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