Your ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is amongst the most essential ligaments found in your knee since it helps in the stability and also movement of the joint. This ligament joins the tibia bone to the shin bone. When your ACL is torn or injured, you need to undergo ACL physical therapy even if you do not need any surgery. This type of rehabilitation includes both weight bearing and non-weight bearing exercises and also closed and open kinetic chain exercises. If these exercises are done right, you will see great improvement on you knee in terms of its stability, movement and strength. Below is the set of typical exercises used in such therapy. However, it is still best to speak to your therapist for the exercises suited to you.
Increase Stability
The exercises to boost your knee’s stability need you to be in weight bearing or standing position. Because your knee is injured, you may use a table or chair to hold on to while carrying out the exercises. These include step downs and also single leg balance. For step downs, you must stand on a step and after that bend the injured knee gradually while positioning your other leg down the step. For the single leg balance, you have to stand on one leg for around sixty seconds. Use your injured leg when performing this exercise. This may be done two or three times a week.
Strength
Exercises which are non-weight bearing and open kinetic are executed to strengthen the knee. You have to do straight leg raises which entail lifting your leg while seated and holding it for five to ten seconds. You have to perform this with your legs straight. Another exercise is called bridges. In this exercise, you need to lie down with your knees bent and your feet must be on the floor lifting your butt for ten seconds. Throughout your ACL physical therapy, your exercises will progressively become intense as your knee gets stronger.
Mobility
If you have an ACL injury, the injured knee gets swollen which could bring about stiffness and restricted movement. During the first stages of the therapy, your physical therapist will massage it and will make an effort to move your knee to enhance its flexibility. Once the movement of your knee improves, you’ll be made to perform some heel slides and props exercises. Your heel will be positioned on a rolled up pillow or towel. You will slide your heel whilst bending your knee. This exercise shouldbe performed almost every day.
These are generally some exercises which can help you recuperate in case you have an ACL injury. It is therefore necessary to have ACL physical therapy for you to restore the normal functioning of your knee.




