The Dreaded ACL Tear And How Physical Therapy Can Help Each year, more than an estimated 350,000 people are sidelined by an ACL injury, many of them forced to undergo surgery to repair the delicate structure of their knee. And even after surgery, studies show that 20 percent of them re-injure themselves all over again. Occasionally, an ACL tear can be so severe that patients are advised to abstain from their favorite sport entirely, a devastating blow to anyone passionate about physical activity and competition. Luckily, these cases are few and far between, and whether you’re recovering after surgery, seeking less invasive treatment, or — your best option — correcting your risk factors for ACL injury before they put you on the sidelines, physical therapy can help. Your knee is composed of three bones, connected by a complex network of ligaments. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally across the middle of the knee, and keeps your shinbone from sliding out in front of your femur while maintaining the stability of the structure during rotation. But if you suddenly change direction or stop, land poorly after a jump, or suffer a traumatic impact to the leg, it can put undue pressure on the ACL, potentially spraining or even tearing it. Often, the injury is accompanied by a “pop” and overwhelming pain, and it can lead to massive swelling, difficulty walking, and restriction of your range of motion.
If the ACL is torn and not just sprained, you’ll almost certainly need surgery. But if it’s
simply damaged — or if you’ve recently been through surgery — physical therapy is vital to help you restore full function and increase the strength of the muscles that support it, healing the structure and preventing further injury. However, studies suggest that the best way to treat ACL tears may be to address risk factors for injury before they become a problem. Physical therapists can assess your body’s anatomical disposition toward injury and put you through a series of sport-specific exercises to determine whether you’re regularly overextending your knee or moving in a way that poses a risk to your ACL. Then, we can create a treatment program to correct these issues before they result in ACL damage. If you’re a high-level athlete seeking to prevent injury before it happens, a postoperative patient in need of comprehensive rehabilitation, or looking to heal a minor ACL injury without surgery, call the experts at Focus Physical Therapy today at 949.709.8770.
BALSAMIC CHICKEN WITH BACON AND APPLES
HAVE A LAUGH
With this one-pan wonder, you can complete an entire meal in under an hour. It tastes delicious and makes your kitchen smell heavenly.
Ingredients
sheet. Add chicken and pour any extra marinade over the top. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Bake 20–25 minutes until chicken is cooked through. For extra crunchiness, turn the heat up to 425 F for the last 5 minutes. 4. Transfer to platter and serve immediately. • 10 ounces Brussels sprouts, halved, stems removed • 2 apples, cored, peeled, and coarsely chopped • 6 slices bacon, cut into squares • Kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast, cut into pieces • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar • 1/2 cup olive oil • Juice of 1/2 lemon • 2 cloves garlic, crushed • 1/4 cup rosemary, finely chopped 1. Blend balsamic vinegar, olive oil, lemon, rosemary, and garlic to create marinade. Pour into bowl or sealable bag and add chicken. Marinate for at least 5 minutes or up to 12 hours. The longer you marinate, the more flavorful the chicken will be. 2. Heat oven to 375 F. Spread Brussels sprouts, bacon, and apples on a baking Instructions
Focus Physical Therapy • Call 949.709.8770 • 3
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