What is an ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament is a band of tissue that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. This ligament, along with several other ligaments prevents excessive motion at the knee joint.
Unfortunately, an injury to this ligament typically results in too much motion and will ultimately need to be repaired
What Causes an ACL Tear?
There are two types of ACL Tears. Non-contact and Contact.
Contact ACL tears are the result of a fall or a traumatic blow to the knee. Non-Contact ACL tears have become more common and are typically the result of a rapid cut, deceleration, or change of direction.
Athletes who participate in Soccer, basketball, football, and skiing are more likely to experience a tear than athletes in other sports. However, this can occur in many people.
What are the Symptoms of an ACL Tear?
Typically you will experience the following symptoms: Stiffness, Swelling, Limited Range of Motion, and Feeling of Instability.
If you are feeling any of these symptoms you must seek medical help. Delaying treatment can result in further damage to the knee.
How is an ACL Tear Diagnosed?
The gold standard for diagnosing an ACL tear is the use of an MRI. Your physical therapist or your doctor will also do a physical exam to determine if excessive laxity is present. If the patient’s history and physical exam indicate a possible tear they will be sent for an MRI
Will I be able to return to my sport or activity after surgery?
Most patients go on to return to their previous level of activity. This is typically after a lengthy bout of physical therapy of 6-12 months. It’s imperative that throughout the process you have a solid doctor and a solid physical therapist.
How to find a great ACL tear Physical Therapist and Surgeon?
There are many great options for ACL tear surgeons and ACL rehab Physical Therapists in the Nashville Area. The key is for you to ask questions and make sure that they are sport-minded and sport-focused. Your surgeon should be performing many of these every year and your physical therapists should have a history of working with athletes in your sport.
Where can I receive ACL Treatment and ACL Rehabilitation in Nashville, TN?
We help athletes every single day in our practice. You can receive the best ACL tear rehabilitation in Nashville or Brentwood, TN. It’s our highest priority to not only get you back but to make you stronger than you were before surgery. Call Be Ready Performance Therapy to make an appointment for one of our ACL tear rehab specialists. We can also provide you with a recommendation for great local ACL tear surgeons that we trust.
