Cost: $120 (Celtic members get 20% OFF - $96)
What is an ACL?
• The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that help stabilize your knee joint.
• The ACL connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia).
When is it at risk?
• It's most commonly torn during sports such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball
• Most ACL injuries happen during sports and fitness activities that can put stress on the knee
• Suddenly slowing down and changing direction (cutting)
• Pivoting with your foot firmly planted (limit surface changes during season)
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Stopping suddenly
• Receiving a direct blow to the knee or collision
• Many people hear or feel a "pop" in the knee when an ACL injury occurs.
• Your knee may swell, feel unstable and become too painful to bear weight.
Two Types of ACL Injury
Contact vs. Non-Contact |
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Treatment Options
• Depends on the severity of your ACL injury
• Rest and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain strength and stability
• Surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation.
• According to the Mayo Clinic a proper training program may help reduce the risk of an ACL injury.
Initial Treatment
Prompt first-aid care can reduce pain and swelling immediately after an injury to your knee. Follow the R.I.C.E. model of self-care at home:
• Rest. General rest is necessary for healing and limits weight bearing on your knee.
• Ice. When you're awake, try to ice your knee at least every two hours for 20 minutes at a time.
• Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage or compression wrap around your knee.
• Elevation. Lie down with your knee propped up on pillows.
Why do ACL Injuries Happen?
• Abrupt start to seasons, with no preseason, or off-season conditioning
• Inactivity
• Muscular Imbalance
• Lack of in-season strength training
• Improper power positon biomechanics
• Change or direction
• Jumping
• Landing
• Stopping