ACL Injuries
What is an ACL injury?
An ACL injury is damage to your anterior cruciate ligament which is situated on the front of your knee joint. It typically occurs following sporting activity and can have a significant impact on your independence and mobility, affecting activities of daily living.
Often you don’t just damage your ACL and other structures are involved for example the meniscus and MCL are often damaged too.
The ligament injury can be categorised into 3 grades:
Grade 1: mild damage
Grade 2: partial ligament tear
Grade 3: complete ligament tear
What causes an ACL injury?
An ACL injury can happen if you:
- Over-extend your knee joint
- Quickly change direction or stop moving when turning, landing from a jump or running.
- Direct blow to the side of your knee such as a rugby tackle
Sports where ACL injuries frequently occur include: basketball, skiing and football.
What are the symptoms of an ACL injury?
Early symptoms of an ACL injury include:
- Knee swelling
- Pain, particularly when weight bearing on the injured knee
- A pop at the time of injury
- Tenderness along the joint line
- Loss of full range of movement
How is an ACL injury diagnosed?
Your physiotherapist can carry out a full knee assessment to determine whether or not you have an ACL injury. An MRI scan can confirm diagnosis and show the extent of the injury, it can also show if you have any other knee injuries.
If you suspect you have damaged your ACL, stop playing sports.
If the ACL injury is not too severe then it can be managed conservatively with bracing and physiotherapy. If you have a serious ACL injury, reconstruction surgery may be required to repair the ligament.
What treatment can Farrell Physiotherapy offer for an ACL injury?
There are several different treatment options available if you have an ACL injury and what treatments are used for you will be dependent on your assessment findings. Your physiotherapist will choose the most appropriate treatment options based on your symptoms and response to treatment.
Physiotherapy can include:
- Functional activities based on everyday activities
- Progressive strengthening exercises
- Electrotherapy
- Ice/heat therapy
- Balance training
- Range of movement exercises
- Strengthening exercises
Benefit of physiotherapy for an ACL injury?
Physiotherapy is important when you are recovering from an ACL injury in order to properly rehabilitate your knee and prevent the injury occurring again. The particular benefits you feel from physiotherapy will depend on your original symptoms and treatment goals.
Physiotherapy assists with:
- Reduced pain
- Reduced swelling
- Improved range of movement
- Increased muscle strength
- Improved balance and proprioception
- Enhanced general fitness
- Promotion of healing and a quicker return to sports
- Promotion of independence with activities of daily living
Don't let pain win...
Our Expert Physiotherapists in Witham and Chelmsford specialise in providing the latest treatments and techniques in order to get you pain free as soon as possible, cure the cause of your pain and help you to return to pre-injury levels of activity.
Furthermore, we'll also give you a bespoke exercise and rehabilitation program, and advise you on how to prevent re-injury and remain pain free.
Get in touch with us now on 01245 830280 or 07980 898212 or alternatively send us a message.
Insurance
At Farrell Physiotherapy we work with some of the uk's top insurance companies to ensure you're covered.
We can accept payment from AXA (PPP), Bupa, PruHealth, simplyhealth and Standard Life, if you have any questions about alternative payment methods, please get in touch with us using the contact form at the bottom of the page and we'll get back to you asap!
Where we are
We have two clinic locations within the Essex area. Physiotherapy in Witham and Physiotherapy in Chelmsford, please use the map below to view contact details for the clinic that you would prefer to visit.
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
6am to 9pm
Saturdays
9am to 12pm
Same day & Emergency appointments available most times.
Chelmsford
Unit 3b, The Old Coal Yard,
Little Waltham Road,
Broomfield, Chelmsford
CM1 7TG
Witham
Witham Leisure Centre,
Witham,
Chelmsford,
CM8 1EP
Get In Touch
If you have any questions prior to booking just send us a message using the form and we'll be in touch asap.
If you would prefer to talk to us on the phone we can be reached on 01245 830280 or 07980 898212 during business hours.