Got an ACL Injury? Considering surgery? DocJen & Dr. Dom address it all in this PT Pearl. After describing the anatomy and function of the ACL, they explain the different degrees of the ACL injury and the tests that are used to diagnose an ACL injury. They name the signs and symptoms associated with an ACL injury and who is at higher risk. Then, they take a deep dive into surgery. Debunking the common misconception around absolutely no stability around the knee with a torn ACL, they explain what the ACL reconstructive surgery consists of and re-shape the narrative around ACL and surgery. With an overarching emphasis on function, they provide insight into the importance of proprioception and strength in and around the knee, the different components of stability around a joint, and why function is so important for ACL rehabilitation. They address laxity at the knee with no ACL, the association between ACL and Knee Osteoarthritis, and the controversy around Knee valgus. Finally, DocJen & Dr. Dom gift you with the ways you can begin to approach your ACL injury, empowering you with knowledge around joint proprioception, muscular coordination, and neurological control in optimizing your rehabilitation, regardless of if you get surgery or not. Tune in!

Vivobarefoot Shoe Discount:

Foundations. Our feet are our base of support, our foundations. DocJen & Dr. Dom live in their VivoBarefoot shoes. No matter what your foot looks like, VivoBarefoot shoes will help your feet return to optimal function and train that joint sense, coordination, control, and strength we have been honing in on in this PT Pearl. With 100 days to return the shoe, give your feet time to transition and adapt in style. Use code ‘TOB’ to get 15% off! 

What You Will Learn In This PT Pearl:

2:08 – ACL Anatomy.

3:27 – Degrees of ACL Injury

4:20 – Tests to determine ACL Injury

5:07 – Signs & Symptoms

5:55 – Who is at higher risk?

7:28 – ACL Reconstruction Surgery - what’s the process?

10:12 – The literature on surgery vs PT, and associations with Knee OA

12:28 – Addressing the laxity associated with torn ACL

13:27 – Components of stability

14:03 – Prevalence of Re-injury

16:54 – Why Function is so Important

20:12 – Allow the knees to cave in or not?

22:37 – Your ACL Rehab Guide

26:08 – Get your own Physical Therapist!

To Watch the PT Pearl on YouTube, click here: https://youtube.com/watch/

For research and full show notes, visit the full website at: https://jen.health/podcast/128

Thank you so much for checking out this episode of The Optimal Body Podcast. If you haven’t done so already, please take a minute to subscribe and leave a quick rating and review of the show!