News & Blog
Cruciate ligament injury – a story from the clinic
From the Clinic: A torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament!
Rob came to Sports and Spinal Physio on the recommendation of Mr Ali a local Orthopaedic Surgeon. While skiing in France in February of last year, Rob had twisted his left knee and completely torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee and additionally damaged some cartilage as well! After some physiotherapy treatment to reduce the swelling and pain, restore his range of movement and strengthen his muscles Rob was able to return to his passion, cycling. Unfortunately without the anterior cruciate ligament Rob’s knee was a bit unstable and likely to give way with sudden or twisting movements and as Rob is a keen skier it was decided that he would undergo reconstructive surgery to repair the torn ligament. Mr Ali repaired the ligament (using a section of his hamstring tendon) in August of last year and Rob then underwent an intensive physiotherapy programme at Sports and Spinal Physio. Our initial aim was to restore his range of movement and quadriceps and hamstring muscle control. Within 2 weeks Rob begun cycling on a static bike and by 6 weeks he was back out on his road bike. His treatment progressed over the next five months and by the end of this time he was performing single leg balance work, squats, lunges, core stability work and had returned to straight line running. As you can imagine he was chomping at the bit to ski again and ordinarily we advise against this in the first 12 months. However due to his very fast recovery and a light weight aluminium knee brace that we fitted him with, he skied again in February of this year only 11 months after the injury took place. Fortunately Rob’s knee held up and he came through unscathed without any additional injuries. Rob continues to train and cycle and I imagine will be skiing again this time around! “You achieved my expectations – skiing just under 6 months from my op. Well done and thank you. ‘Till next time…” Rob Brentwood Essex.
If you have a problem with your knee please see our website for details about our FREE pain and injury assessment www.sportsandspinalphysio.co.