The ACL is one of the major bands of tissue (ligaments) connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) at the knee joint. It can tear if you:

• Twist your knee while keeping your foot planted on the ground.
• Stop suddenly while running.
• Suddenly shift your weight from one leg to the other.
• Jump and land on an extended (straightened) knee.
• Stretch the knee farther than its usual range of movement.
• Experience a direct hit to the knee.

Symptoms

• Pain
• Pop in the knee
• Difficulty standing
• Putting pressure on the injured leg
• Swelling within 24 hours of injury
• Difficulty walking
• Limited range of motion

Therapy will restore your muscle strength, agility, and balance, so you can return to your regular activities. Learn ways to modify your physical activity to put less stress on your knee.

ACL Return to Sports Series

Optimal offers the ACL return to sports series each fall and spring. “ACL injury prevention programs reduce the incidence of ACL injuries by at least 50% in a variety of sports, and should be used for all athletes.” research NCBI

Benefits:

• Knee osteoarthritis prevention
• Risk reduction, 19% ACL injuries need subsequent surgeries
• Knee-related QOL (Quality of Life) was impaired five to 25 years after rupture, in both ACL-deficient and ACL-reconstructed subjects. Rehabilitation alone is an effective alternative to reconstruction for some patients.
• Ongoing impaired knee function throughout life.

Course Includes:

• Initial Assessment by Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Video Analysis of Your Specific Sports Movements
• 1 Sports Psychology session with a certified psychotherapist
• 2x/week for 6 weeks
• Covid Safe

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a major ligament located in the center of the knee joint. The ACL is one of four ligaments that hold the bones within the knee together, keeping the knee stable when running, jumping, and landing during sports.

Approximately 200,000 ACL injuries are diagnosed in the United States each year. It is estimated that there are 95,000 ruptures of the ACL and 100,000 ACL reconstructions performed per year in the United States.

High school athletes have a higher risk of suffering an ACL injury as their bodies change and develop. Studies show that high school female athletes have a greater rate of ACL tears than do high school male athletes. Female athletes between ages 15 to 20 account for the most ACL injuries. Certain sports contribute to a higher risk of ACL tear: girls soccer, boys football, girls basketball, and boys and girls lacrosse.

Click here to download ACL Health Information