An ACL injury is one that you would never wish on anyone but it is very common in Australian sporting culture. If the ligament is fully torn, it is an injury which generally requires surgery if you are an active person who plays sports requiring twisting and turning. The surgery is relatively simple these days and even some surgeons can have you out of the hospital on the same day but it is the rehabilitation which can take a very long time. Rehabilitation should be administered by a physiotherapist and for your average person, it can take anywhere from 6 to 9 months to get back to your chosen sport. Athletes can do it in a shorter time as they are able to concentrate on getting better everyday of the week without the hassles of full-time work or study. What is the ACL? It is the most important ligament in your knee as it is vital for maintaining a stable knee joint. It stops the knee joint from over twisting and thus “dislocating”. It also prevents the shin from moving too far forward on the thigh bone. Sports where this injury is prevalent include rugby, Aussie rules football, soccer, netball, skiing and basketball. When should you suspect an ACL injury? You should suspect an ACL injury if: the injury occurred whilst twisting you hear or feel a “pop” or “crack” in the process of injuring your knee there is immediate swelling in the knee joint (however, it is possible to have an ACL tear without any swelling) there are episodes of giving way or instability after the injury.
