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Can I Injure an ACL Lifting a Heavy Item?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) supports both lateral and non-lateral movement of the knee. Athletes and those who lead active lifestyles suffer the most ACL injuries. These injuries do not heal themselves, and any tear in the ligament requires surgery or extensive rehab. While the rehabilitation can take up to a year or more, understanding what causes ACL tears and how to prevent them can decrease your chances of injury in the first place.

  1. Causes

    • The most common causes of ACL injuries include abrupt movement and direct blows to the knee itself. A basketball player can sustain an ACL tear when quickly changing direction on the court, while a football player might be injured during a tackle. Research doesn't link lifting heavy objects with ACL injuries, but you should still practice proper lifting techniques as a severe twist of the knee can tear your ACL.

    Symptoms

    • You can sometimes feel the ligament tear at the time of injury and hear a ripping or popping noise. The painful aftermath makes walking on the injured leg difficult, if not impossible. An injured knee swells almost immediately. Constant pain, even when seated, indicates a serious knee injury. Doctors typically use an MRI scan to determine the extent of an injury.

    Treatment

    • In many cases, ACL tears don't heal without surgery. Non-surgical options such as bracing and physical therapy can stabilize the injury. The type of therapy you choose should depend on the severity of your injury and your doctor's recommendation. The surgical procedure involves taking a graft from a separate ligament and allowing the new ACL to grow around it. Recovery from an ACL tear varies significantly based on the individual and the type of treatment chosen.

    Prevention

    • ACL tears occur as the direct result of trauma to the area. Conditioning the ligament and the muscles surrounding it offers the best way to prevent injury. These types of exercises vary by sport, but drills focusing on agility, balance and muscle control stimulate and strengthen the area. According to MedLinePlus, knee braces have not been definitively shown to prevent or reduce the occurrence of ACL tears in athletes.

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