(08) 7008 7566
(08) 7118 5399
physio@upplus.com.au
177 Trimmer Parade, Seaton SA 5023ACL Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the main stabilisers inside the knee, usually injured in a twisting or landing movement rather than a collision. Whether or not you have surgery, rehabilitation determines the outcome — and the decision itself depends on your age, sport and how the knee behaves, not on the scan alone. Both routes need a long, structured program.
What causes it
- A twisting movement with the foot planted
- Landing awkwardly from a jump
- A sudden deceleration or change of direction
- A direct blow to the outside of the knee
- Higher risk in women, and in sports with pivoting
What you might notice
- An audible pop or a sense of something tearing at the time
- Rapid swelling within a few hours
- A feeling that the knee will give way, particularly turning
- Difficulty fully straightening or bending the knee early on
- Reduced confidence taking weight, beyond what the pain accounts for
How we treat it
- Settling swelling and restoring full extension early, which matters more than most people realise
- Progressive strengthening through the quadriceps, hamstrings and hip
- Balance and landing control work
- Pre-operative rehabilitation if surgery is planned, which improves the result
- A criteria-based return to sport rather than a time-based one
- Coordination with your surgeon and any imaging
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap between conditions, so the right treatment depends on an assessment. If your pain followed a significant injury, is getting worse, or comes with numbness, weakness or unexplained weight loss, please see your GP.
Rehab decides the outcome, with or without surgery
Getting full straightening back early and building strength before any operation measurably improves how you finish. Start sooner rather than waiting on appointments.
Or call us on (08) 7008 7566 — we see patients across Seaton, Modbury and Stepney.