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Getting Active Again After an ACL Tear

Getting Active Again After an ACL Tear

Your knee joint is highly complex, consisting of a range of bones, ligaments, and muscles wrapped around a hinge that’s extremely flexible and strong. However, sports can put undue strain on this complicated mesh of tissues and cartilage, causing severe damage during a too-fast pivot or a hard impact. 

One of the most vulnerable points in the knee is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). When the ACL is torn partially or all the way through, you need an orthopedic surgeon in San Francisco to assess and repair the damage.

The Institute for Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine (IASM) is the office of Dr. Jeffrey Halbrecht, a renowned knee doctor in San Francisco, California. Under his guidance, our experienced team can evaluate your ACL injury, recommend surgery and/or rehabilitation, and work to restore your former level of performance.

Understanding the anterior cruciate ligament

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) forms an X with the posterior cruciate ligament inside the knee joint. This allows your knee to move back and forth without letting the tibia (shin bone) slide in front of your femur (thigh bone).

Men who suffer ACL injuries typically play highly demanding sports like football, soccer, and basketball. Women are even more at risk for ACL injuries, and can be injured playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball.

The most common moves that cause a torn ACL include suddenly slowing, stopping, or changing direction from high speed, or landing wrong after a jump into the air. A direct collision to the knee, usually from the side, can also tear the ACL. It’s common to see damage to the ACL at the same time as a meniscus tear or damage to the articular cartilage.

Activity after an ACL tear 

As a qualified knee surgeon in San Francisco, Dr. Halbrecht is experienced in handling all types of knee injuries. He can inform you if you need surgery for a severely torn ACL or if a more conservative ACL treatment will suffice.

In either case, the way you return to activity after an ACL tear is critical to your full recovery. Dr. Halbrecht, as your sports medicine doctor in San Francisco, creates a specific plan for you that may start with bedrest and very limited activity to avoid further injuring your knee. 

Patience is key. We may recommend a custom-fitted knee brace to provide extra support as you slowly become active again. We also set you up with a regimen of stretches, and slowly add in strengthening exercises, taking care not to overwhelm the load-bearing capacity of your knee joint.

Finally, Dr. Halbrecht assigns a specialized rehabilitation and therapy plan tailored to your anticipated return to your sport of choice. Your entire recovery time from a severe ACL tear can mean you’re out for the season, but you’ll have a better chance of returning strong and healthy again for the next.

If you’ve suffered an ACL tear, get in touch with Dr. Halbrecht and the team at IASM. You can schedule a consultation by calling 415-233-7996, or book online with us today. 

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