If you participate in sports, there are many kinds of injuries that you can potentially suffer as a result of playing. From professional athletes to beginners, sports-related injuries are incredibly common and can sometimes be severe. One of the most common sports-related injuries is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, also known as an ACL. The ACL is an important stabilizer in the knee and can rupture due to a sudden impact or forceful motion.
According to the CDC, over 200,000 athletes every year suffer from an ACL injury in the United States. Many ACL injuries will require surgery, which can take you out of the game for a long time. However, experts in physical therapy suggest that visiting a physical therapist before your ACL surgery can have many benefits.
Why do I need physical therapy before ACL surgery?
Most patients assume that physical therapy is used to help you recover after surgery. While this is correct, physical therapy can offer a host of benefits to athletes before they undergo ACL surgery. Here’s how experts say you can benefit from physical therapy before surgery:
- Reducing your pain — By strengthening and stretching your muscles, tendons and ligaments, physical therapy can help remove pressure from the sensitive areas of your body. This will also provide more structure and support for your body during recovery.
- Improving your mobility — It can be hard to get around or do anything on your own after your surgery, but pre-surgical rehab can help restore your mobility, so you can be more independent during your recovery.
- Improving your recovery speed — Pre-surgical rehab has been shown to improve the rate of recovery after surgery. Patients who do not have pre-surgical rehab often have longer hospital stays than those who do.
- Preventing re-injury — Strengthening the area around your injured knee will not only help to get you back on the field more quickly but can also help to prevent your knee from becoming re-injured during your recovery. Stabilizing and strengthening exercises before surgery can greatly decrease the chances of re-injury.
Where can I find quality pre-surgery rehabilitation for my ACL injury?
Before you schedule your ACL surgery, talk to the experts at Excel Sports & Physical Therapy about pre-surgery rehabilitation. Our team of experienced physical therapy specialists can help to speed your recovery using proven methods and individualized care.
A free screening at one of our many clinics in the greater St. Louis area can help us to determine the best treatment plan for your needs. Talk to your primary care provider or surgeon about pre-surgical physical therapy today.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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