Your knees are one of the most hardworking body parts that undergo a lot of stress daily. It receives four times the amount of your weight as you walk, stand, jump, or perform other movements involving your legs. Its complex network of bones, joints, and muscles is also prone to injuries if you make unnatural movements or wear the wrong shoes. However, you can keep your knees healthy by eating right, exercising regularly, and visiting an orthopedic doctor in Singapore.
Your knees are susceptible to various illnesses and injuries. Your kneecap could break or shatter after a fall, or your joint or cartilage could swell and cause pain due to old age. But among the many conditions your knee could encounter, the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL injury is arguably one of the most common ailments. Have questions about ACL injury? Check out this article by Ray of Health.
What Is An ACL Injury?
The ACL injury, as its name suggests, affects the ACL or the anterior cruciate ligament. According to the Mayo Clinic, it is one of the four ligaments that links your thigh bone or femur to your shin bone or tibia. It provides your joint with stability while controlling your knee’s back-and-forth movements.
The ACL injury occurs when a sudden blow hits your knee while your leg is still or slightly bent, causing your ACL to tear or get stretched too much. This condition could also trouble you if you abruptly changed your foot’s direction or landed on your weak leg.
If you suspect that you have an ACL injury, you should visit a Singapore medical centre as soon as possible. You can immobilise and use ice to reduce the size of your inflamed knee, but you should see a specialist to understand your injury’s severity and receive appropriate treatment.
What Are The Available Treatments For An ACL Injury?
Experiencing an ACL injury can be troublesome and daunting. Fortunately, a knee specialist in Singapore can give you several treatment options to address and resolve this condition. Scroll through to learn about the four remedies that will free you from the pain and difficulty of having a torn or stretched ACL.
1. Medications And RICE Method
Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs can lessen the discomfort that results from your ACL injury. You can also raise, put ice, compress, and elevate your affected knee to reduce swelling and pain. However, these methods are insufficient for treating an ACL injury. Doctor appointments are necessary to address this condition.
2. Use Of Medical Devices
If your knee specialist thinks you can benefit from a brace, they will ask you to wear one for a few weeks, months, or while you are participating in strenuous activities. These medical devices can help heal your torn or stretched ligament and stabilise your leg.
3. Physical Therapy
An orthopedic doctor may treat ACL injury cases in Singapore with rehabilitation or physical therapy. A therapist will teach and help you perform exercises that strengthen your knees and help them regain flexibility.
4. ACL Surgery
If your ACL cannot heal through non-invasive methods, your specialist will ask you to undergo an operation. This treatment may involve reconstruction and replacement procedures for your knee ligament through surgery.
You can find out which ACL injury treatment in Singapore suits your case by consulting a specialist at Advanced Orthopaedic and Sports Centre. Visit their website to learn about their expertise in resolving ACL issues.