ACL Injuries Running

In the United States alone there are over 400,000 ACL reconstruction procedures each year. Once you tear the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee your world will change forever. You might feel nervous about the future, but it doesn’t have to be that way if you have the right physical therapist to guide you through the process.

At Excel Sports and Physical Therapy, our physical therapists will provide you a thorough and complete program customized for the patient in order to put them in the best position to succeed. We do this by using a progressive and systematic rehabilitation program that allows for some flexibility with each patient. Included in this program are progressive strengthening exercises, neuromuscular reeducation, plyometrics, agility training, core strengthening, functional training and sport-specific training.  Research has shown that jump training mitigates some risk factors for re-injury and osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction by improving mechanical and neuromuscular deficits.

Once the athlete approaches a return to sport, they are put through a battery of tests to ensure that the involved knee is close to the level of the uninjured knee. Research suggests that the surgically repaired knee performs to at least 90% of the uninjured knee during testing before returning to sport. We also do a complete and full biomechanical assessment that includes evaluating the athletes running form, jumping and landing form, and cutting/pivoting form. These tests can be performed with video analysis so that we can slow down and break down the movements at trunk, hip, knee, and ankle.

We put a lot of time and effort into researching and developing new ways to treat our athletes and to get them back to where they want to be. We are passionate about returning our patients to levels beyond their previous level of function with a proper rehabilitation plan to prevent re-injury.  When you choose us for your post-surgical rehabilitation, know that you are dealing with a group of experts you can trust. For more information, Contact Us today at St. Louis, Creve Coeur, Ellisville, Saint Peters, O’Fallon, Saint Charles, Warrenton & Wentzville, MO Centers.