Book An Appointment

ACL INJURIES: Prevention, Treatment and Recovery

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

What is an ACL Injury?

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a strong band of tissue located within the knee joint, connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). Its main function is to stabilize the knee during movements that involve pivoting, twisting, and sudden changes in direction. ACL injuries occur when the ligament is stretched beyond its normal limits or torn, often during activities that require rapid deceleration, such as sports like soccer, basketball, football, and skiing. However, ACL injuries can also result from non-contact movements, such as landing from a jump or making a sudden change in direction.

Understanding The Impact

An ACL injury can profoundly affect a person’s life, encompassing physical and emotional dimensions. Initially, symptoms typically involve intense pain and instability within the knee joint, sometimes accompanied by a noticeable “popping” sensation upon injury, and approximately 70% would experience instant swelling from hemarthrosis. As time progresses, individuals may encounter challenges with walking, engaging in physical pursuits, or executing routine activities. Furthermore, neglecting to address ACL injuries may result in long-term complications, such as chronic pain, knee instability, and early-onset osteoarthritis.

Prevention Strategies

While it is not always possible to completely prevent ACL injuries, there are several strategies that individuals can implement to reduce their risk:

  • Plyometrics: Implementing plyometric exercises with a focus on correct technique and body mechanics has the potential to decrease the occurence of severe ligament injuries, specifically ACL injuries.
  • Neuromuscular Training Programs: These programs have gained recognition for their effectiveness in reducing the risk of ACL injury. Its aim is to enhance the capacity to produce optimal muscle activation patterns, enhance dynamic joint stability, and execute movement patterns and skills required for both everyday activities and sports. These programs typically include plyometric exercises, balance training, and technique drills aimed at improving neuromuscular control and biomechanical alignment during dynamic movements. Through this training, individuals can enhance their postural control and address any asymmetries in lower extremity measures.
  • Strength Training: Individuals can engage in a comprehensive strength and conditioning program that targets the muscles surrounding the knee joint, including the quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and hip abductors. Strong muscles provide greater stability to the knee and help absorb the forces that would otherwise stress the ACL.

Certain prevention programs employ a variety of methods, including a multi-faceted or neuromuscular approach, while others focus on strengthening and plyometrics. Among these, programs combining strength training with neuromuscular training yielded the highest effectiveness, particularly when introduced at a younger age for injury prevention. Despite variations in program duration, studies generally recommend 20–30 minute sessions several times per week for optimal results.

Is a heart attack treatment Medisave claimable?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

  • Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
  • Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
  • Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
  • His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible. 

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan. 

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Contact Us
Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

  • Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
  • Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH, where he successfully employed ERAS, benefiting more than 2,000 patients thus far.
  • Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases and return to their active lifestyles.
  • His clinical interests include Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for Hip and Knee, Sports Injuries, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Robotic Surgery.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible. 

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan. 

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Contact Us
Has this article been insightful? Share it!

Dr Jerry Chen

MBBS (S’pore), MRCSEd, MMed (Ortho), FRCSEd (Ortho)

Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Medical Director

  • Before starting Alps Orthopaedic Centre, Dr Jerry Chen was a Consultant at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), where he accumulated over 13 years of experience in Orthopaedic Surgery.
  • Having performed over 500 surgeries in a year, he has been instrumental in helping numerous patients recover from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
  • As a driven and valued member, Dr Chen spearheaded the workgroup for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) for hip and knee replacement surgeries at SGH.
  • Over the course of his career at SGH, Dr Chen has successfully employed ERAS and reduced the average hospitalisation stay for hip and knee replacement surgeries.
  • Going through these ERAS day surgeries has benefited more than 2,000 patients thus far, enabling them to suffer from less pain and recover faster.
  • The Alps team is committed to providing specialised orthopaedic care tailored to your unique condition. We offer comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Why Alps Orthopaedic Centre?

At Alps Orthopaedic Centre, we specialise in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS). Performed as a Day Surgery, the ERAS Direct Anterior Approach in Total Hip Replacement (THR) technique as well as ERAS Total Knee Replacement (TKR), reduces the average hospitalisation stay, utilising techniques which enable the patient to suffer from less pain and recover faster. We are an Orthopaedic clinic in Singapore, which specialises in ERAS and do our utmost to enable patients to return to everyday activities as early as possible. 

Our Orthopaedic clinic provides specialised diagnosis and effective treatment of musculoskeletal problems, especially Day Surgery / Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) For Hip and Knee Surgery, Sports Injuries and Trauma Fractures. If you are considering hip or knee surgery or minimally invasive treatments, book an appointment with our experienced Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr Jerry Chen, for a thorough assessment and treatment plan. 

Our aim is to boost patient well-being, optimising every aspect of the surgical journey. By minimising the recovery period, patients are able to go back to activities that they love. The Alps team offers comprehensive financial counselling sessions to ensure our patients understand their options and make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans.

Contact Us