Cruciate ligament rupture
A cruciate ligament tear is a serious injury to the knee joint that often requires long and intensive rehabilitation. Therapy and rehabilitation depend on the severity of the injury, age and physical condition of the patient.
Most ACL tears require surgery to repair or replace the torn ligament. After surgery, the patient may wear a splint and receive physical therapy to restore muscle strength, mobility and joint stability. Rehabilitation can take several months and often includes exercises to improve mobility, balance and coordination. It is important that the patient works closely with an experienced physical therapist during rehabilitation and performs all exercises regularly to achieve a full recovery.
Upon completion of rehabilitation, the patient will usually be able to resume normal activities. However, it is important that the patient continue to treat the knee joint with care and perform exercises to maintain muscle strength and joint stability to minimize the risk of re-injury.