Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL Injury)

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the key ligament which bonds together the upper and lower parts of the leg at the knee. ACL injuries account for more than two-thirds of all knee injuries in skiers and are fairly common in other sports such as volleyball, basketball, and racket sports. To prevent ACL injury it is important to have strong quadriceps and hamstrings. A ruptured ACL is typically diagnosed by a doctor - an MRI exam is advisable, as this can also identify whether the meniscus (cartilage in the knee that provides cushioning) is damaged as well. If your meniscus is damaged, you should definitely avoid exercises that could aggravate this condition. There are occasions where surgery is not necessary, or not worth the potential for further damage, as the ACL is not always crucial for people that do not exercise heavily. As with all recommendations for surgery, it is usually advised to get a second opinion.

Surgery and Recovery

If you have chosen to have ACL reconstructive surgery, remember that proper post-surgery rehabilitation is very important, perhaps even more important than the surgery itself. Activities should set out to promote healing, increase flexibility in the knee and strengthen surrounding muscles. Your physical therapist will probably set up a "passive range of motion" program, and put you in a hinged knee brace for a month or two to prevent hyperextension or hyperflexion in the knee. An important point for ACL patients to remember after surgery is that every effort must be made to increase range of motion and flexibility at the knee. Weakness in the knee can usually be eliminated by extra strengthening exercises, but increased stiffness can sometimes be permanent if not corrected by further surgery.

This is where a Portable Ultrasound unit can really help! Ultrasound Therapy increases tissue elasticity while promoting the flow of blood (filled with vital oxygen and nutrients) to your injured ACL. This cleans the injured area by getting rid of damaged tissue and reducing the inflammation surrounding the ACL and opening up the blood vessels to begin healing.

During the healing process, scar tissue builds on the ligament and can attach the ACL to the PCL or other surrounding tissue in the joint, limiting the flexibility in your knee. Fortunately, you can treat your ACL with therapeutic ultrasound to soften scar tissue and improve your range of motion.

Not only does ultrasound aid in the duration of healing, but it helps to prevent long term complications. Pain, scar tissue, lack of mobility and arthritis are some of the more common long term complications from an ACL injury. By treating your ligament with ultrasound, scar tissue is softened reducing the risk of chronic problems in the future.

Ask your physical therapist about ultrasound and if its right for your ACL treatment! As with all medical devices, make sure your physician is aware of any treatment plan you decide to take.

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