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Sports injuries and surgery
ACL and knee ligament injury treatment in Shirley, MA
The short answer
Most ACL and knee ligament injuries happen from a quick pivot, a bad landing or a hit to the side of the knee. Many MCL sprains heal well with rehab alone, and some people with ACL tears do well without surgery, while others need reconstruction to get back to cutting sports. Either way, a steady rehab plan that rebuilds strength, balance and trust in the knee is what gets people back to the sports and life they love.
On this page
What usually causes ACL and knee ligament injuries
The knee has four main ligaments, the strong bands that hold the thigh bone and shin bone together. Most injuries to them follow a few familiar patterns.
- A sudden pivot or change of direction
- The classic ACL injury. The foot stays planted, the body turns, and there is often a pop followed by fast swelling.
- A bad landing
- Landing from a jump with the knee caving inward puts a lot of stress on the ACL, especially in soccer, basketball and volleyball.
- A hit to the side of the knee
- A blow to the outside of the knee often sprains the MCL, the ligament on the inner side. Many of these heal well with a good rehab plan.
- Strength and control gaps
- Weak hips and thighs, or tired muscles late in a game, make it harder for the knee to stay lined up when it matters.
- An old injury that never fully recovered
- A knee that was never fully rebuilt after a past sprain is more likely to get hurt again.
When to get it checked
Get your knee looked at if you felt a pop, if it swelled up within a few hours, if it feels loose or gives way, or if you cannot trust it on turns and stairs. See a doctor or go to the emergency room right away if the knee looks out of place or deformed, you cannot put any weight on it, your foot or lower leg goes numb, cold or pale, or the swelling is severe and getting worse fast.
What you can do at home right now
These are safe starting points for most people. They are not a replacement for a proper evaluation.
- Calm the swelling
- Rest from sports, use ice and keep the leg up above your heart when you can. Crutches are okay if walking is painful.
- Get the knee straight
- Gently work on getting the knee fully straight, like resting your heel on a pillow with the knee unsupported. A knee that stays bent gets stiff fast.
- Wake up the thigh muscle
- Tighten the muscle on the front of your thigh and hold for a few seconds, many times a day. It helps keep the thigh from shutting down.
How we treat ACL and ligament injuries at Whole Health Solutions
Your physical therapist is with you for the whole appointment, start to finish. Whether you are getting ready for surgery, recovering from it, or rehabbing without it, we build a plan from the day of the injury to the day you are cleared.
01
Relieve
Calm the swelling, get the knee straight again and get you walking normally, with hands on care and simple, steady exercises.
02
Rebuild
Strength for the thighs, hips and calves, plus balance and control so the knee stays lined up when you move, land and turn.
03
Perform
Running, jumping, cutting and sport specific drills, with testing along the way so you know when the knee is truly ready. When you are ready, our athletic performance coaches take you the rest of the way back to your sport.
04
Thrive
Stay with the team that knows you. Check ins, training and a quick tune up whenever something new comes up, so this stays in the past.
Thrive is not a finish line. When life brings something new, the loop starts again with the same team.
Common exercises for ACL and knee ligament injuries
These are a few of the exercises our team often uses for ACL and knee ligament injuries. Tap one to watch.
Please read first. These are not right for everyone. If a move brings on sharp pain, numbness or tingling, stop and talk to one of our physical therapists before you keep going.
Learn from our team
Short, free videos from our clinicians on questions we hear about ACL and knee ligament injuries all the time.
★★★★★
"As a very active person recovering from ACL surgery, WHS helped me develop a training plan that got me back to the sports I love."
Talk to a physical therapist
A free call to tell us what is going on and see if we are the right fit.
Common questions about ACL and knee ligament injuries
Can a torn ACL heal without surgery?
A fully torn ACL does not usually grow back together, but some people do well without surgery, especially if they do not play cutting or pivoting sports. A strong rehab plan is key either way. Your surgeon and physical therapist can help you decide what fits your goals.
Should I do physical therapy before ACL surgery?
Yes, it helps. Getting the swelling down, the knee straight and the thigh muscle working before surgery usually makes the recovery afterward smoother.
How long does it take to return to sports after ACL surgery?
It is different for everyone, and it should be based on how strong and steady your knee is, not just the calendar. Your surgeon and physical therapist will use strength and movement testing to decide when you are ready.
Do I need a referral for an ACL injury?
No. You can book directly with us. Most of our clients do use their insurance for reimbursement of our physical therapy services. We go over everything in the discovery meeting.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Everyone is different, so the best next step is an evaluation with one of our physical therapists.
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Serving 22+ nearby towns and beyond
2 Shaker Road, Suite C200, Shirley, MA 01464. Monday to Thursday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm, Friday, 5:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Saturday, 6:00 am to 1:00 pm.