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ACL injuries are amongst the most widespread types of damage to the knee. The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, joins the upper leg bone with the lower one. While minor tears can sometimes heal on their own with time, a more severe rip can require a lot of orthopedic rehab. Keeping your body strong and flexible will give you more control over its movements and help prevent the chance of an injury. There are three important habits you can adopt to decrease the likelihood of an ACL tear.

Avoid Orthopedic Rehab: 3 Tips to Prevent Injuries to Your ACL

1. Stretch Your Upper & Lower Legs 

Maintaining flexibility is one of the best ways to keep your body’s movement smooth and accurate. Flexibility will help promote ideal form when you’re playing sports and reduce the likelihood of tearing the ACL from muscle tightness. 

2. Strengthen Your Leg Muscles

orthopedic rehabStrengthening the lower and upper legs will help provide stability so the surrounding muscles can properly support the knee. There are many different exercises you can do, including squats and walking lunges. Both of these help build the quadriceps and hamstring muscles, which are the key players in preventing ACL injuries. 

3. Avoid Twisting or Turning When Your Foot Is Planted

Sports such as soccer, running, skiing, and football are the biggest causes of ACL tears because they set up situations that involve a lot of twisting, turning, and maneuvering at high speeds. When the foot is firmly planted on the ground, and the knee is straight or slightly bent, a sudden force hitting you can cause a tear. For sprinters, the constant start and stop sets them up for situations that put stress on the ACL. 

While the best way to prevent ACL injuries is to keep your body strong and avoid aggressive sports, when damage does occur, physical therapy treatment provides the best form of rehabilitation. Physical therapists will give you the knowledge and tips you need to not only heal your injury but also help you prevent ones in the future.

 

Are you suffering from an ACL injury that just won’t heal? Get the orthopedic rehab you need from the certified physical therapists at Source Therapy in Gig Harbor, WA. Call them at (253) 857-4870 to schedule an appointment, or contact them online today.

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