What is a contusion?

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

What is considered a fracture?

What are stress fractures?

When is heat used to help an injury?

When are cold treatments used to help an injury?

What is arthroscopy?

What is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

How is the ACL injured?

What treatment options are available for an ACL tear?

How long is the recovery after an ACL reconstruction?

What is a contusion?

A blunt force such as a kick, fall or blow often causes a contusion, or bruise, to soft tissue. Contusions usually produce discoloration, swelling and pain. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation (R.I.C.E.) is one treatment for contusions.

What is the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain is an injury to a ligament often caused by a wrench or twist. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees or wrists. The treatment for a sprain includes Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (R.I.C.E.). If the ligament is torn, surgical repair may be necessary.

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by stretching, force or overuse. A treatment for a strain is R.I.C.E, but if there is a tear in the muscle, surgery may be necessary.

What is considered a fracture?

Fractures occur when a bone breaks from a blow or a fall. A fracture may be classified as a hairline fracture (a thin fracture that may not run through the entire bone), a displaced fracture (the bones are out of place) or a compound fracture (the broken bone protrudes through the skin).

What are stress fractures?

Stress fractures are weak spots or small cracks in the bone caused by continuous overuse. There usually is no swelling, but pain and tenderness often increases during movement.

When is heat used to help an injury?

When muscles are tight, heat can help an injury by reducing joint stiffness and muscle spasms.

When are cold treatments used to help an injury?

Cold treatments help to:

• relieve pain by numbing the affected area
• reduce swelling and inflammation
• reduce bleeding

What is arthroscopy?

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive operation. Using a teeny video camera and pencil-sized instruments inserted through small incisions, your surgeon can see inside your joint to diagnose and fix problems. Arthroscopy can help doctors diagnose and treat many problems including torn cartilage, torn ligaments and joint instability. It can also help doctors decide if joint replacement is a good option for you.

What is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the stabilizing ligaments of the knee. There are four main ligaments that help to stabilize the knee during various activities. The ACL prevents anterior (forward) shifting and rotation of the lower leg in relation to the thigh.

How is the ACL injured?

The ACL may be torn through contact or non-contact injuries. The ACL is most commonly injured during pivoting, twisting or deceleration when the foot is planted. Hyperextension or contact to the outside of the knee can also injure the ACL.

What treatment options are available for the patient with an ACL tear?

An ACL tear does not mean that surgery is required. Patients whose lifestyles do not involve pivoting sports or do not require pivoting or knee stability in their jobs or daily activities may not require surgery. These patients may attempt a non-operative rehabilitation program to strengthen the leg muscles and possibly wear a brace to provide stability to the knee. Patients who participate in pivoting sports or who have episodes of instability in their daily activities despite a rehab program should consider undergoing reconstruction of their ACL. This surgery will restore stability to the knee and decrease the risk of re-injury.

How long is the recovery after an ACL reconstruction?

Recovery periods vary from person to person. In general, the patient is allowed to walk immediately after the surgery with crutches and a knee brace (that allows the knee to fully extend). Crutches and the brace are used until the patient walks comfortably and has regained good control of the quadriceps muscles.

Physical therapy should begin immediately after surgery to restore the range of motion and muscle tone in the leg. Under the close supervision of a therapist, the patient can generally reduce swelling and restore range of motion in the knee within a couple of weeks.

Stitches are removed from the leg within 10 to 14 days. Stationary cycling begins early in the rehab program and jogging is allowed at approximately eight to12 weeks after surgery. Pivoting activities in a controlled setting begin around 16 weeks after surgery. Full return to all activities and sports occurs approximately six months after surgery provided the patient has regained nearly full muscle strength in the injured leg.