The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is vital to the stability of the knee, and it’s often injured by the sudden stops and changes of direction required by many sports. In cases where the ACL is strained or partially torn, physical therapy can help people avoid ACL surgery. However, there are three factors that can affect torn ACL recovery time without surgery.
1. Weight
The ACL and other knee structures are greatly affected by how much you weigh. This means that your weight can have a lot to do with how long your recovery time for a torn ACL takes without surgery. A Harvard Medical School article reports that the knee joint feels a strain equal to 1 ½ times your body weight when walking on level ground. This means that a 150-pound person’s knees feel 225 pounds of pressure.
As you can imagine, the higher your weight, the more pressure your knees must deal with, and this can definitely affect ACL tear recovery times. In fact, some recovery plans may include helping you find ways to lose some weight. That way, there will be less stress on your healing ACL.
2. How well you stick to the recovery program
Another factor that affects torn ACL recovery time without surgery is how well people follow their recovery plan. For example, an important part of your plan is the rest period. This rest period gives the ACL time to begin healing, but many people allow frustration and impatience to cut this rest period too short.
Also, it can be helpful to do your therapy exercises as often as instructed. While missing them occasionally may be unavoidable, you should make a serious effort to do your exercises the prescribed number of times every day. After all, these exercises are designed to help increase support for your joints and reduce pain. If a person feels unable to do their exercises as often as they should, they may want to consult their doctor or physical therapist.
Treat your torn ACL without surgery with help from Excel Sports & Physical Therapy
Torn ACL recovery times without surgery can be hard to predict, but Excel Sports & Physical therapy can build you a recovery plan designed to help you heal as quickly as possible. Our plans can provide this faster recovery because they use the most effective therapy techniques for you, and the techniques in your plan can include:
Trying to shorten your recovery time as much as possible? Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.
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