Understanding ACL Injuries and the Critical Role of Physical Therapy- Part 2: How are ACL Injuries Diagnosed and Treated?
Once an ACL injury occurs, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial in determining the appropriate treatment and recovery strategy. Whether the injury requires surgical intervention or can be managed conservatively (without surgery), physical therapy plays a key role in rehabilitation.
Diagnostic Process
The process of diagnosing an ACL injury generally involves:
- Physical Examination: The healthcare provider will assess the knee for signs of instability, tenderness, swelling, and range of motion limitations. Special tests like the Lachman test or Anterior Drawer test can help assess ACL stability.
- Imaging: An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is typically used to confirm the diagnosis, as it provides a detailed view of soft tissues like ligaments. X-rays may be taken to rule out bone fractures, though they cannot detect soft tissue injuries like ACL tears.
Treatment Options: Surgery vs. Non-Surgical
Treatment options for ACL injuries vary based on the severity of the injury, the patient’s activity level, and other individual factors. Generally, there are two primary treatment approaches:
Non-Surgical Treatment
For some patients, particularly those with partial ACL tears or those who are less active, non-surgical treatment may be sufficient. This typically involves:- Rest and Activity Modification: Avoiding high-impact activities while allowing the knee to heal.
- Physical Therapy: Focused on restoring strength, flexibility, and knee function to prevent further injury.
- Bracing: In some cases, a knee brace may be used to provide additional stability.
Physical therapy is essential in these cases to help individuals regain strength in the quadriceps and hamstrings, as well as improve knee proprioception (the sense of joint position). Without this rehabilitation, the knee may remain weak, putting the individual at risk of further injury.
Surgical Treatment
For individuals with complete ACL tears or those who wish to return to high levels of physical activity, surgery is often recommended. ACL reconstruction surgery involves replacing the torn ligament with a graft, usually taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). The goal of the surgery is to restore stability to the knee and allow the individual to return to their pre-injury activity levels.
Post-surgery rehabilitation is a lengthy process, with physical therapy being crucial for a successful outcome.
In the next part of the series, we’ll discuss how physical therapy aids in recovery following an ACL injury, whether the treatment is surgical or non-surgical.