Effects Of Tearing The ACL

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Tearing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is referred to as an athletes nightmare because of its devastating effects. People ages 15-25 are most at risk. Throughout this paper I will state how it is possible to tear the ACL, how to prevent it, as well as what's done in surgery and therapy. Proper diagnosis is key to repairing the anterior cruciate ligament injury. Here are some facts about the ACL.
Many people don't know that doing anything can tear the ACL. Though it more commonly happens while playing a sport, just falling down and have it happen. Injuring the ACL in one of two ways. Direct impact to the ligament or sudden twisting while your foot is planted on the ground. When somebody does tear their anterior cruciate ligament they say that they hear a “pop,” from within the knee. Most times the pain comes immediately. After hurting your knee doing such things, the first thing to do is the R.I.C.E method. R.I.C.E stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation. Then if it doesn’t get better it is crucial to see a doctor. The doctor will do a series of motion tests, and in some cases summit you to and MRI. MRI stands for magnetic resonance dimensional image, which is an advance x-ray of the knee. It allows the doctor to see the ligaments, bones, and fluid within the knee.
After proving that you have indeed injured your anterior cruciate ligament , what kind of tear it is needs to be determined. ACL injuries range from mild tears, to severe tears. A mild tear is when the ligament is only partially tore, and a severe tear is when it completely rips in half. This injury occurs in basketball, football, and soccer the most. There are many ways to prevent a tear. Warming up and stretching before activities can help prevent...

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...nd surgery you may eventually develop osteoarthritis in the knee. Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage in a joint becomes stiff and loses elasticity, making it more at risk for damage. If the condition gets bad enough, it could cause the bones to rub against each other.
There are still many things unknown about ACL tears, but we have a good grasp on what we should and shouldn't do. I have given ways to prevent a tear, stated who is most at risk for a tear, and what happens throughout surgery and therapy. More knowledge about something can help avoid something major. Repetitive exercise and common sense can help to prevent an anterior cruciate ligament injury. If you think an injury may have occurred contact your physician or physical therapist at your earliest opportunity. When diagnosed remember to exercise and follow the directions of your physician and therapist.

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