“Can you walk on a torn ACL, partial or full ACL?” This is one of the most common questions that I hear as a physical therapist and rehabilitation specialist. Most people have a limited amount of knowledge about the ACL (auxillary cruciate ligament) and how it is injured.
ACL stands for adhesive capsulitis elastic ligament. It is an incredibly important structural ligament of the human body and is found in the lower portion of the anterior cruciate ligament, which is the front part of the knee. The ACL is important in the rotation of the knee, but it is also responsible for a lot of movement in the lower extremities, particularly the ankles.
The ACL is injured by a direct impact to the anterior cruciate ligament when it is being stretched or contracted during an activity. When you are experiencing this type of pain, it is possible you pulled your ACL.
If it is a minor tear, then most people will be able to return to their normal activities fairly quickly. If it is a severe tear, then the results can be severely limited. If it is a combination of a minor and a major tear, then a person will have a much more difficult time being able to return to their normal activities.
When asking can you walk on a torn ACL, the short answer is yes, you can. The long answer is not as simple. If you have suffered a tear in your ACL, you should know that there are a variety of different surgical procedures that can repair the damage. Most of these repairs will require you to be put on a period of physical therapy for several weeks to a few months before they are successful.
Before any surgery can take place to repair your acl, you will have to seek out the help of a physical therapist. They will perform a number of different exercises to strengthen the surrounding area around the ligament. Along with strengthening the muscles around the injury area, they will also be instructing your body on how to move without the use of your legs.
This is very important because the longer you can keep your legs moving the less likely you are to damage your ligaments to the point where they become ineffective. Your therapist may also instruct you on stretches that can be used to keep your ligaments operating at optimum efficiency.
If the doctor orders an MRI to find out the severity of your tear, then he will be able to determine whether or not surgery is warranted. The MRI scan will help the doctor evaluate where the damage is located in order to decide if he wants to remove the ligament. You will have to discuss this extensively with your doctor before you go under the scalpel.
If you have any health conditions, such as diabetes, then your doctor will need to run tests to make sure that the damage is not caused by an underlying medical condition. Although torn ligaments can occur for many reasons, it is rare for them to be caused by obesity, lack of exercise, or any other medical condition.
If your doctor decides that surgery is necessary, then he will have to work with you on a schedule to ensure that you heal correctly. Most people who have torn acl recover fairly quickly and don’t miss any workouts. As soon as you get home from the hospital you should start a program of stretching. Stretching can be done on your own at home and at the office, or it can be done with a therapist if you want to ensure that you heal correctly.
As soon as you complete your recovery, you will likely be told to start walking and build your strength back up. Walking can strengthen your acl muscle and improve your flexibility as well as your range of motion. The best time for a patient to start walking again is following surgery.
However, if you can’t bear to do it on your own you may want to discuss your options with a physical therapist who can recommend physical therapy and advise you on what to expect after you have had any surgery.