Torn ACLs are a common injury often caused by sports or exercise. In recent studies, it’s predicted that around 250,000 ACL injuries occur each year in the United States. Today, we’re sharing how to prevent this injury. Once the ACL is torn, your chances of injuring it again are increased significantly. This is why prevention is so important.

1. Many ACL tears are preventable if the muscles surrounding the knee are strong and flexible. This is why it’s incredibly important to train year-round. Many injuries occur after a period of inactivity, which leaves muscles and ligaments tighter than they would have been if consistent training and exercising had been continued throughout the year.
2. Properly warm up. Warming up before any exercise will help to decrease your risk of an ACL injury. Don’t rush through your warm-up, take the time to ensure your muscles and ligaments are ready for more vigorous activity.
3. Focus on strengthening your hamstrings and quadriceps. These muscles are located on the front and back of your leg and work together to straighten and bend the knee. As these muscles are strengthened, you’ll protect your knee from injury.
4. Make sure you’re maintaining proper form while working out/participating in a sport. Practicing proper form will decrease your risk for injuries in general as well as help to prevent an ACL tear.
5. Maintain your nutrition. Eating healthy and ensuring you’re eating enough proper foods to fuel your body will help prevent an ACL tear or other sports injuries. If you’re in a calorie deficit and/or not fueling your body properly, it can cause fatigue which often causes someone to focus less on their form during exercise, which leads to ACL tears.

Symptoms of a Torn ACL

If you suspect that you’ve torn your ACL, here are a few of the common symptoms that you may experience:

• A loud “pop” or a “popping” sensation in the knee
• Severe pain and inability to continue activity
• Rapid swelling
• Loss of range of motion
• A feeling of instability or “giving way” with weight bearing

If you experience these symptoms, don’t hesitate to give us a call to schedule your appointment. A proper diagnosis, as well as prompt treatment, will ensure that you have a smooth recovery and will be able to return to activity and exercise.

Based on the severity of the ACL tear, Dr. Larson will recommend a treatment plan to best fit your needs. Treatments can range from rest and physical therapy to a surgical procedure to repair this. You can trust that the treatment recommended for you will be in your best interest and will help you recover most effectively from your ACL tear. Dr. Larson has advanced training with these types of injuries, you can trust him to provide the highest quality of healthcare.

To schedule your appointment with Dr. Larson, please give us a call at 435-774-8512.