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ACL Injury Prevention

Woman who needs ACL Injury Prevention in Baltimore, MD

ACL injuries are common, but preventable. If you’re an avid athlete, active individual, or have suffered from ACL injury before, you may benefit from our ACL Injury Prevention program at Peake Physical Therapy, Baltimore, MD.

At Peake PT, we employ several evidence-based modalities to help prevent ACL injury or re-injury from occurring. These modalities include a biomechanical assessment, neuromuscular control training, and sport-specific strength and mobility training. And you work with a board-certified physical therapy specialist every step of the way.

Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our ACL injury prevention specialists at Peake PT:

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Why ACL injury prevention is crucial

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a vital part of knee stability, especially in athletes and active individuals. Long-term complications can follow an ACL injury, resulting in chronic knee pain, osteoarthritis, and reduced mobility. Not just for maintaining a sporting edge, ACL injury prevention is vital for quality of life.

Statistics on ACL injuries in the United States

ACL injuries are worryingly prevalent in the United States. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) reports that:

  • About 200,000 ACL injuries take place every year, with many of them necessitating surgical repair.
  • Female athletes are two to eight times more likely to incur an ACL injury as compared to their male counterparts, and they do so in the contexts of a few particular sports that seem to demand more from the knee than others, like soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.
  • The cost of surgical repair, followed by rehab and time lost at work, adds up to more than $2 billion annually.

These figures compel attention toward the development of promising prevention programs.

Reference: aaos.org/

What is a Biomechanical Assessment?

A comprehensive evaluation of an individual’s movement patterns, muscle strength, and joint stability is referred to as a biomechanical assessment. This assessment aims to identify any deficiencies or imbalances that may increase the risk of an ACL injury. The first step involves analyzing several qualitatively different movement tasks:

  • walking or running (gait)
  • jumping (takes off)
  • landing (comes down)

Movement analysis is essentially a method of observing and describing human movement, and our trained therapists at Peake PT employ a range of techniques and levels of technology to achieve this.

What is Neuromuscular Control Training?

Neuromuscular control training (NCT) focuses on enhancing the communication between the brain and muscles, thereby improving coordination, balance, and stability. For athletes, this is vital because it translates to improved movement patterns and a type of reaction time that is essential for preventing ACL injuries. NCT exercises may include:

  • balance drills
  • agility training
  • plyometric activities

What is Sport-Specific Strength and Mobility Training?

Training that is specific to the strength and mobility required for a sport involves targeted exercises. These are designed to enhance the physical abilities necessary for the demands of the sport. The focus of this training is on building strength in the key muscle groups that are activated during the sport, enhancing flexibility, and developing functional movement patterns that closely mimic the sport’s demands. By “underloading” certain muscles and utilizing these programs to address the specific needs of the athlete, we can help improve their performance and reduce the risk of an ACL injury.

Who can benefit?

Programs designed to prevent ACL injuries confer benefits on a variety of people, including:

  • Athletes: Both recreational and competitive athletes in sports with high rates of ACL injuries, such as soccer, basketball, and skiing.
  • Active Individuals: Anyone involved in physical activities that call for jumping, pivoting, or making sharp turns.
  • Coaches and Trainers: Professionals across the spectrum who want to implement effective injury prevention strategies within their teams or training programs.
  • Rehabilitation Patients: Individuals recovering from ACL injuries who want to ensure that they do not reinjure themselves, regain their strength, and regain their range of motion.

The people above can enhance their performance and live a more active lifestyle if they participate in ACL injury prevention programs.