Damage to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries occur due to unexpected displacement of the joint surface of the femur and tibia beyond their physiological range or through excessive stretching in the knee joint. Such occurrences often take place during team sports such as football and rugby, when a blow to the front of the extended knee results in a ligament tear.

These days, we can treat cruciate ligament injuries by selecting from options like surgical or conservative methods... It turns out that the superiority of one over the other is a frequent subject of scientific research... So far, it's difficult to definitively determine which one is more effective.

The objective of a proper rehabilitation program following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery is to restore the patient's full physical and mental fitness, which they possessed before the injury. The prerequisite for returning to professional or athletic activity is the fulfillment of several conditions: absence of pain and swelling, full range of motion in the knee joint, restoration of muscle strength before injury, and normalization of gait.

It is currently assumed that there are factors that significantly increase the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. In particular, it has been observed that women are three times more likely to sustain these ligament injuries than men. This condition can be explained by anatomical differences, which include a wider pelvis in women, greater external rotation of the tibial bone, increased bowleggedness, and weak muscular development. Furthermore, a lower functional coefficient of the hip muscles in comparison to the quadriceps muscles may present an additional burden for the anterior cruciate ligaments. Women also exhibit increased joint laxity. By proper functioning of deep muscles (such as the diaphragm, transverse abdominal muscle, and pelvic floor muscles) the stability of the spine, pelvis, and thorax can be ensured, which plays a crucial role in preventing injuries and creating a solid foundation for the effective, safe, and dynamic execution of movements. By consciously combining the above-mentioned elements and gradually implementing them in accordance with the current functional capabilities of the patient, postoperative rehabilitation can enable a return to activity within 6 months and at the same time not cause further damage to the anterior cruciate ligaments.