WHAT IS AN ACL & PLC?
The ACL and PCL are two of four ligaments that stabilize the knee joint, allowing the knee to move forward and backward without moving side to side. The ACL is located in the center of the knee just in front of the PCL, keeping the shin bone (Tibia) from moving too far forward, while the PCL keeps it from moving too far backward. The ligaments cross over each other, and along with the MCL and LCL, work to stabilize the knee joint. Injuries to these ligaments are more often sprains than tears, although partial or full tears can occur to either ligament.
HOW DID I INJURE MY ACL / PCL?
ACL and PCL sprains and tears can occur when the knee joint twists abruptly and forcefully while the feet remain planted on the ground. In addition to a sudden twisting of the knee, ACL injuries can also occur when an individual changes direction, pivots, slows down suddenly or misses the landing of a jump. PCL injuries, on the other hand, are more likely to occur when the front of the knee sustains a sudden and forceful impact or when the knee is hyper-extended. ACL injuries are often the result of involvement in sports and don’t require physical contact, while a PCL injury is more likely the result of forceful contact or a collision.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Your ACL / PCL is part of an important group of control and stability ligaments that maintain “centralization” of your knee joint. In other words, it keeps the knee from hyper-extending or hyper-flexing.
Researchers have concluded that it is important to follow the below stages to effectively rehabilitate these injuries and prevent recurrence.
- Early Injury: Protection, Pain Relief & Anti-inflammatory Treatment
- Regain Full Knee Range of Motion
- Restore Knee Strength
- Restore High Speed, Power, Proprioception and Agility Exercises
- Return to Sport or Work
For more information of the different treatments offered at our practice, please see the pages labeled Graston Therapy, Rapid Release and Ultrasound.