Been told you have damaged your ACL? In some cases surgery may be required to restore the passive stability of the knee after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture. This is not always essential however, a detailed assessment is required to help direct this decision and ensure the best possible outcome for you. ACL reconstruction is a fairly complex but not an uncommon operation, as around 250,000 are performed in the US alone each year.
If surgery is not deemed appropriate then specific ACL rehabilitation is important to maximise knee function. This will help you return to daily life or your favourite sport in the safest possible way. Similarly the outcome of surgery is greatly enhanced if physiotherapy has started prior to surgery.
After ACL reconstruction, rehabilitation is essential to restore the dynamic stability of the knee. Without a comprehensive rehabilitation process the risk of ACL re-injury is unfortunately high. Research shows that re-rupture rates are alarmingly high and, you are deemed 15 times more likely to re-rupture than sustain an initial ACL injury.
The rehabilitation process should address the underlying risk factors for ACL injury. This can be a challenging process that requires significant guidance. James Vickers, Darren Chin & Tom Jackson at Marylebone Health (CHHP) are physiotherapists with a special interest in lower limb & ACL injuries. James has lectured on ACL injuries and advised national sporting bodies in developing their ACL pathways.
The team work closely with some of the UK’s leading orthopaedic surgeons to maximise outcomes whether you’re an elite athlete or aiming to maximise the long-term health of your knee after injury.
We also offer a second opinion service for those patients who are not progressing as expected with their rehabilitation.
Please contact us to discuss booking a consultation where our team of physiotherapists would be happy to help.
