Ligament Injuries - Allied Health Professionals

Anterior cruciate ligament tears:

Tears to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are not uncommon. They can occur in sports players where there is a sudden change in direction (i.e. football). Likewise, they can occur in the general population, specifically when the lower leg extends forward too much or the knee rotates inwards under load.

Image – Anterior cruciate ligament injury

Assessment
Treatment

Treatment:

Initial management should involve protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation (PRICE), issue of crutches.
Painful activities should be avoided
Progressive loading of the knee through active rehabilitation
The treatment regimen can be summarised as follows:

0-48 hrs:

PRICE
Active pain-free exercises (gentle range of movement)

After the first 48 hrs:

Gradually increase strength:
Active knee flexion and extension
Knee brace, active single leg raise and inner range quads.
Hamstring and gluteal strengthening
Progress loading – Chair/wall squats and stair step-ups
Knee stability exercises (e.g. pulleys with other leg, one-leg squats)
Low impact cardio, cycling and swimming, lower limb strengthening exercises if access to a gym

Functional Strengthening:

Bike
Pool running
Jogging
Swimming

Sport Specific skills:

Jumping and landing
Running-straight line
Running-figure of eight
Rapid changes of direction (cutting drills)
Kicking-gradual increase

References

Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC
Image from OpenI – Licensed by CC