Some of the most severe and widespread injuries include injuries on the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) commonly experienced by athletes. However, the journey towards rehabilitation after ACL differs and involves surgery intervention, exercise and dedicated effort to rebuild strength. Technological developments in medical and rehabilitation procedures significantly improved ACL recovery, giving high possibilities and fast recovery results.

In this blog, we learn about the newest ACL injury rehabilitation technologies.

Understand ACL and the Nature of Injury
Advances in Surgical Techniques
ACL Rehabilitation Exercise
Rehabilitation Phase
Postoperative Knee Care
Did You Know
Myths and Facts
Conclusion
When to Seek Help
Frequently Asked Questions

Understand ACL and the Nature of Injury

ACL is a knee ligament that links the femur and tibia bones. This last muscle is significant in stabilising the knee joint during the movement. ACL injury occurs in activities involving stopping, pivoting, or extra load, such as jumping and landing. It can range from simple strain to severe ruptures that may require professional help.

Advances in Surgical Techniques

ACL injuries are common and can be challenging to rehabilitate. However, advanced ACL recovery methods have made the journey more manageable. Let’s explore the latest treatment options:

Minimally Invasive Surgery

The most significant innovation in ACL reconstruction is the development of minimally invasive surgery. It is Arthroscopic surgery in which the doctor can repair the ligament through small incisions while causing trauma to the tissues and increasing the time for recovery.

Robotic Assisted

Robotic instruments and wearable technologies are the new futures of the rehabilitation world. Knee management movement – robotic exoskeleton assists the patient in movement that offloads the joint and increases functionality.

Blended Surgical Thorough Techniques

The double bundle reconstruction used in surgery may reconstruct the anatomy of the ACL in the human knee. This method enhances knee stability and results in permanent positive outcomes.

Biological Grafts

The biological grafts, such as auto graft and allograft, mimic the innate features of the ACL. Research has found that utilising bioengineered material, such as scaffolds containing growth factors, fosters alignment regeneration and healing.

ACL Rehabilitation Exercise

ACL injury healing involves mobility, strength, and stability exercises that help the patient regain the use of the affected limb. A specific ACL rehab exercise puts pressure on the knee but does not stress it.

Heel Slides

This movement helps regain the range of motion within the limited movements that the joint perhaps covered earlier. Laying on the back, move the heel towards the bottom while ensuring the knee is bent without pain.

Bridge Exercises

Bridges are adequate for the hamstrings, and gluteal muscles are known as knee stabilizer muscles. Do the exercise in the supine position, increasing until the knees and feet are flat on the ground and the hips off the ground form a straight line between the shoulders and knees.

Quad Sets

It is suggested that the strength of the quadriceps is rebuilt during the first stage of the recovery process. While breathing in, balance on your straight leg, press the back of your knee into the ground and draw the thighs up as close to the chest as possible. The exercises allow for the prevention of muscle decrease and improvement of knee flexion.

Rehabilitation Phase

Physical therapy is the foundation of the treatment process, as the ACL recovery timelines are divided into three parts:

Early Rehab (0 to 3 Months)

Improve the range of motion of the knee joint, decrease joint stiffness, and increase the strength of the quadriceps muscle. Initially, controlled exercises such as straight leg raises, and partial weight training are included in the routine.

Intermediate Rehab (3 to 6 Months)

It advances towards strengthening and stability exercises. This makes for a significant stage of physical therapy as balance activity, resistance, and dictated actions are included.

Advanced Rehabilitation (6–9 Months)

It prepares the athlete for rigorous sports exercises in a sports-related event. Plyometric activities, agility conditioning, and fatiguing are incorporated.

Postoperative Knee Care

Knee surgeries are sensitive surgeries requiring time and basic care for the patient to get back on foot. Here are key tips for post-surgery knee care:

Manage pain and swelling
Follow a healthy diet regime
Engage in physical activity
Avoid overexertion
Follow doctor advice

Did You Know

Female athletes are at high risk of developing ACL injuries due to their body structure and hormonal changes.
Other non-surgical procedures, such as bracing and physiotherapy, are sufficient for healing with partial tears.

Myths and Facts

Myth 1: ACL tears may be chronic, and there are ways to treat them, but they cannot be fixed permanently.
Fact: Most patients can fully recover, including regaining complete knee flexibility, if they undergo the proper treatment and recovery process.

Myth 2: Wearing a Knee Brace stops all ACL Injuries
Fact: Bracing offers some support but doesn’t prevent one from sustaining an ACL while performing otherwise strenuous tasks.

Myth 3: It is through contact that one can develop ACL injuries.
Fact: Atraumatic ACL injuries are mainly degenerative and are caused by twisting movements, sudden change of direction, or sudden push-off during sports.

Myth 4: Injuries to the ACL always require surgical intervention to address the problem.
Fact: Not every given ACL injury requires surgical repair. Mild to moderate tears in sedentary patients may be managed with physiotherapy and a cast.

Myth 5: The authors state that an individual cannot recover fully after an ACL injury.
Fact: If this type of rehabilitation is done to a patient, then most patients will regain full functionality; some even get back on the playing field to participate in competitive games.

Conclusion

ACL injury comes with new revolutions, thanks to the improvements in surgery and treatment, physiotherapy, and stem cell therapies. The intended strategies of top-notch technologies and patient-centred care lead to an efficient recovery. By introducing such innovations, patients can bounce back from ACL injuries with confidence and conviction.

When to Seek Help

Seek help during ACL rehabilitation if you experience persistent pain, swelling, knee instability, or difficulty regaining mobility. Delayed recovery progress or signs of infection, like redness or fever, also warrant immediate medical attention.

Remember, early intervention ensures a smoother recovery.

Schedule a consultation today at our leading Orthopaedic Department for personalised treatment plan and care— Call us @ 08068617735

Table of Contents

Understand ACL and the Nature of Injury

Advances in Surgical Techniques

Minimally Invasive Surgery

Robotic Assisted

Blended Surgical Thorough Techniques

Biological Grafts

ACL Rehabilitation Exercise

Heel Slides

Bridge Exercises

Quad Sets

Rehabilitation Phase

Early Rehab (0 to 3 Months)

Intermediate Rehab (3 to 6 Months)

Advanced Rehabilitation (6–9 Months)

Postoperative Knee Care

Did You Know

Myths and Facts

Conclusion

When to Seek Help