02 9252 5770

Book now

Request a call back

Chat to Us

We are Open!
Sydney Physio Solutions
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Online Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770
  • About Us
  • Services
    • Physiotherapy
    • Telehealth Appointments
    • Pilates / Online Exercise Classes
    • Sports Injury Treatment
    • Massage Therapy
    • Men’s Health Physiotherapy
    • Women’s Health Physiotherapy
  • Locations
    • Macquarie Street
    • Castlereagh Street
  • Benefits
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Physiotherapy News
    • Press & Media
  • BOOK NOW
  • 02 9252 5770

Home » Blog » Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

June 15, 2018  |  By Dr Brad McIntosh In Uncategorized

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Last Updated on July 19th, 2019

The problem

  • The ACL is the stabilising ligament of the knee, and acts to prevent buckling of the knee
  • The mechanism of injury is usually from a pivoting action on a grounded foot, usually during sport
  • Injury can be a partial tear or total rupture and management may change according to degree of tear
  • When the ACL is completely torn, surgery is a possibility to reconstruct the ligament, but this is not always required. Your physiotherapist, GP, Sports Physician and/or an orthopaedic consultant may talk you through your options.

Interesting facts

  • A ‘pop’ or ‘crack’ sound is often heard during injury
  • Usually there is initial pain, although with a complete tear the pain can subside quickly (within minutes) but the knee often feels ‘unstable’, and may give way.
  • Often ACL injuries can occur in combination with injuries to other structures such as the medial collateral ligament or medial meniscus

What you can expect/look out for

  • Immediate swelling and bruising of the knee
  • Feelings of instability or  giving way 

Hints for self management

  • Initial injury management is as for most soft-tissue injuries;
  • Rest and immobilise, use crutches to assist with walking
  • Ice for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first 3 days
  • Compress the area to manage swelling, with a bandage or tight leggings
  • Elevation, as able, lying on your back with leg elevated
  • Seek diagnosis by seeing your GP or visiting one of the experts at Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions, and the decision to confirm with imaging such as MRI may be made at that time

Management options 

  • ACL tears may require review by an Orthopaedic Surgeon
  • The surgeon will discuss with you both conservative and surgical options
  • With a partial tear or in an individual who does not play high-level sports, it may be decided to manage the knee non-surgically with physiotherapy and exercises – you will want to seek an expert knee physio to guide you through this process
  • A full tear may be managed with a surgical reconstruction, using a patellar tendon or hamstring graft.
  • Surgery is not always required 

More information

  • A knee reconstruction will mean time away from sport and significant rehabilitation
  • Return to sport in most cases is after 9 months rehabilitation

 

At Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions our highly qualified physiotherapists specialise in the assessment, treatment and prevention of neuromusculoskeletal injuries.


Contact us today – 9252 5770

Author

Avatar

Dr Brad McIntosh

Although he is one of the most experienced and sought after Doctors of Physiotherapy in Australia, Brad makes all his patients feel like they are #1.

He also leads his team of caring reception staff and expert physiotherapists with the same degree of passion, which is why Sydney Physio Solutions has built the outstanding reputation it has.

Managing Director BSc (ExSci) MPT (Physio) DPT (Physio) CSCS APAM MSMA

See author's posts

Share this:
Previous StoryIliotibial Band Friction Syndrome
Next StoryHamstring Strains

Related Articles

  • Top Ten Tips For Marathon Recovery
  • Top Ten Tips For Marathon Preparation

Leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Book Online

Make A Booking

ABOUT US

Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions is trusted for the knowledge and experience of it’s staff members. We have physiotherapists who are experts in specific areas of the body so if you are searching for a physiotherapist, see an expert, not a generalist.

We have two physiotherapy clinics in Sydney CBD. All our clinics are staffed by highly qualified and expert physiotherapists whose motivation is to find the cause of your problem & return you to pre-injury fitness as soon as possible.

CATEGORIES

ARCHIVES

Contact Form

MACQUARIE STREET

Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
Level 1, 139 Macquarie Street
Sydney 2000
Tel : 02 9252 5770
Email : reception@ssop.com.au

CASTLEREAGH STREET

Sydney Physiotherapy Solutions
Level 8, 155 Castlereagh Street
Sydney 2000
Tel : 02 9264 4153
Email : castlereagh@ssop.com.au

 

Australian PhysioTherapy Association
cq5dam.thumbnail

Copyright ©2019 sydneyphysiosolutions.com.au. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy

Request a call back