The body is a complete, balanced system composed of many ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These are connected in different ways to facilitate movement and various body actions. When there is an injury to any of these parts, it causes pain and discomfort that might become too difficult to bear. In this article, you will learn more about ACL tears, their causes, symptoms, and what to do if you suffer a knee sprain. We'll also recommend an expert in Sports Medicine in New Orleans to help you treat your knee pain.
The ACL is short for the anterior cruciate ligament. It is one of four ligaments that connects your thigh and shin bones. The ACL is made up of connective tissues, elastic fibers, and collagen. It is located at the center of the knee, and it helps you rotate and move your knees forward. It works alongside other ligaments to stabilize your knee.
A tear to your anterior cruciate ligament occurs when the ligament is overstretched or forced to move suddenly due to actions like running, squatting, or jumping while doing sports. Usually, injuries that occur to ligaments are termedsprains or tears. The sprains are not as complicated as the tears and can easily be treated without requiring surgery.
The anterior cruciate ligament can either be torn partially or entirely. Complete tears are quite frequent compared to partial tears, and doctors specializing in sports medicine can treat these common injuries in New Orleans.
ACL injuries usually happen to people who engage in sporting activities like football, baseball, basketball, or soccer. A tear occurs when an external force suddenly hits a stable knee or when you try to change direction abruptly. The sudden change in movement can cause you to overstretch the ACL, thereby resulting in injury. ACL tears can also occur due to accidents while working. Female athletes are more prone to get them than male athletes due to less muscle mass around their knees.
Some of the visible signs of an ACL tear include the following:
If there is a tear to your ACL, the affected area might swell within 24 hours, causing discomfort.
When you try to move your knee, there might be popping sounds in your knee.
Knee pain is one of the most experienced symptoms of ACL tears. The pain is severe and renders you unable to continue physical activity.
Generally, if there is an injury to a part of your body, moving that body part becomes quite difficult or intolerable. The same thing applies to an ACL injury. Your ability to flex the knee becomes impossible, causing you to maintain a static position.
Your physician will conduct tests and x-rays to determine the severity of a given injury, administering various treatment methods depending on your need.
Some of the treatment methods include:
Injuries are inevitable as you go about your daily activities, especially when playing sports. If you have tried at-home ice packs but swelling, pain, and discomfort don't let you flex your knee, please visit Orthopedic Center for Sports Medicine. Dr. Luis Espinoza, alongside his team of highly qualified specialists at OCSM, has years of experience successfully treating ACL
tears and other orthopedic issues that affect their patients’ mobility and cause them pain. Book your appointment by clicking here, or call (504) 217 5319 for a torn ACL treatment in New Orleans.
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