Athlete’s guide to ACL injuries – New Delhi, India

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 22, 2011 -- An ACL injury is an injury involving a ligament in the knee known as the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is on the inside of the knee joint. This ligament is necessary for knee stability. An injury is often a tear and the tear may need surgery. Surgery is the only way to ensure that this sports injury will be best healed. A tear may be complete or partial.
Common Causes of ACL Injuries

A non-contact or a contact injury can injure the ACL. For example, if a football player is tackled and during this tackle he suffers a blow to the side of his knee, the ACL may be torn. About 80 percent of ACL tears that occur in sports are non-contact related.
ACL injuries may also stem from coming to a quick stop along with pivoting, overextending the knee joint, directional change when running, or landing from a jump.
Football, skiing, basketball, and soccer are all sports where ACL injuries are common.
Symptoms of ACL Injuries
At the time of injury, athletes often report hearing a loud "popping" sound. The pain is typically severe. The knee may give away or feel unstable with weight. The knee is usually swollen and after a few hours, the swelling is usually worse.

Treating and Rehabilitating ACL Injuries
Athletes should consult a doctor immediately following this injury. A knee brace and crutches will often be used as the knee heals. Pain medications are also common.

Surgery is generally recommended for athletes because it offers the greatest at chance at regaining knee stability. Surgical procedures that may be done include surgical reconstruction or arthrocentesis. Arthrocentesis may be done to reduce swelling. Surgical reconstruction is what is done to actually repair the injured ACL. This involves taking a piece of tendon from elsewhere in the leg and using it to reconstruct the ACL ligament because the ligament itself cannot be just simply sewn together.
After recovering from the surgery, rehabilitation can begin. This involves a variety of exercises to strengthen the knee and regain full range of motion.
Possible Complications of ACL Injuries
An athlete with this injury is at a higher risk of experiencing osteoarthritis of the knee, in which the smooth surface roughens and joint cartilage deteriorates. Even if the athlete has surgery, there is still the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee.
Dr.Prateek Gupta
M.S., M.ch-orth(Livepool),FICS(USA),
D.Orth.(London), F.R.C.S - Orth(London),

Consultant Orthopedics & Sports Surgeon
Visit: http://www.sportsmedicineclinicdelhi.com
Call at : 0091 9810052876, 011-26517776, 9810852876
For Online Appointment : http://www.sportsmedicineclinicdelhi.com/appointment.aspx

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