Before doing any physical activities such as exercises and sports, it is important to condition your body first. Doing stretching exercises, for example, can help lessen the occurrence of injuries. However, a lot of people still tend to skip these warm-up exercises and go ahead with their usual routine. As a result, they may end up having injuries and body pains that can affect their physical performance.
Among body injuries that athletes dread is getting an ACL injury. Short for anterior cruciate ligament injury, it refers to a sprain or tears on that specific knee part commonly caused by intense physical activities. ACL injuries usually happen in sports that involve sudden stops and swift changes in movements such as basketball, soccer, and downhill skiing. When this happens, you may have to consult a doctor specializing in ACL surgery in Provo.
How do you know if it’s an ACL injury?
Those who have experienced an ACL injury remember feeling or hearing a “pop” in the knee area. Afterward, you will notice swelling and pain in the knee area. It can be very painful; you may not be able to stand on your own.
ACL treatments may depend on the severity of the injury. It can be anywhere between simple rest and some rehabilitation exercises, to surgery in worst cases. Aside from the popping sensation, other symptoms of an ACL injury may include your inability to retain body balance and stability.
In such cases, it is important to seek immediate medical care if you have the abovementioned symptoms of ACL injuries. Our knees are an important part of our bodies because it helps keep our balance and enables us to move around. If our knees are injured, we will be deemed immobile and end in walking in crutches or wheeling around in a wheelchair.
It is also said that women are more prone to ACL wounds due to a difference in their muscle strength and anatomy. Professional basketball players, gymnasts, and soccer players may also be more prone to ACL injuries. Even wearing ill-fitting footwear can cause knee injuries, especially if you use it in physical activities.
How can you avoid ACL injuries?
While ACL injuries can be managed through rest, rehabilitation exercises, and surgeries, it is still better if you can avoid it. Here are some tips you can do to prevent such debilitating injuries.
- Make sure to do some warm-up exercises before engaging in a major physical activity or sport. For example, you can do some stretches and squat exercises to condition your knees, legs, and other parts of your body.
- If your sport involves frequent jumps like gymnastics or basketball, you should regularly practice proper jumping and landing techniques. This will help lessen the occurrence of injuries that can affect your performance.
- To lessen the impact on the knees, make sure to bend your knees and hips when you turn around during physical activity.
In any physical activities, it is important to take extra precautions to avoid injuries. The above tips will help you avoid ACL injuries and enjoy an injury-free play.
