Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in adolescent athletes, but just about anyone can hurt their ACL under the right conditions. If you have suffered an ACL injury, you can always count on Injury Medicine who are experts in ACL injury treatment in Greenville, SC for effective treatment.
Call us today at 864-866-PAIN to schedule an appointment so that we can develop a plan to help you recover.
What Is the ACL?
The knee’s bone structure is made up of 3 parts: the tibia, the femur, and the patella. The ACL is one of the ligaments in the knee that forms a cross. It connects the tibia to the femur and ensures that the knee stays stable during quick changes of direction. Such stability is important for pivoting and activities in sports such as basketball and soccer.
How Do ACL Injuries Happen?
ACL injuries can happen when you are playing a sport and collide with another player. They can also happen when you suddenly stop or change direction, land improperly, or slow down while you are running.
What Are the Treatment Options for ACL Injuries?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can be treated using both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. While surgery is sometimes necessary, not everybody that suffers an ACL injury is a candidate for surgery.
Nonsurgical treatment options such as braces help protect from instability while physical therapy helps strengthen the surrounding ligaments and provide better stability. Still, surgical reconstruction of the ACL is sometimes necessary to restore the internal structures of the knee to ensure maximum stability.
Nonsurgical Treatment Options for ACL Injuries
Immediately after the ACL injury, management consists of the RICE method:
- Rest: Activities likely to cause knee pain, such as walking or running for long periods of time, should be avoided until the symptoms are relieved.
- Ice: You may be directed to apply ice packs to the affected area to reduce the swelling and pain. Ice packs should be applied throughout the day for about 20 to 30 minutes at a time.
- Compression: Wrapping a tight, elastic bandage around the affected area can help manage the swelling.
- Elevation: To help alleviate the swelling, consider keeping the affected knee supported above the waist.
Ultimately, your choice of treatment will depend on several different factors such as your age, the severity of your injury, and your activity level. The team at Injury Medicine in Greenville, SC can make a determination regarding the most suitable treatment option when you come to us.
Have You Suffered an ACL Injury in Greenville, SC? Call Us Today!
If you have suffered an ACL injury in Greenville, SC, you shouldn’t put off getting treatment, even if the pain isn’t particularly terrible. Your mobility and stability both require having a healthy anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
You can schedule an appointment for ACL injury treatment in Greenville, SC at Injury Medicine by calling us at 864-866-PAIN. Regardless of the severity of your injury, you can always count on our experienced team to develop a plan to help you recover.
