--- title: ACL Tear description: Learn what the ACL really does, how it can tear, and what to do afterwards to quicken your recovery. image: https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/ACL%20tear.jpg --- [Skip to content](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/acl-tear#main-content) [![Glackin_Logo](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Glackin_Logo.png?width=197&height=52&name=Glackin_Logo.png "Glackin_Logo")](https://www.glackinpt.com) - [About](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [About Us](https://www.glackinpt.com/about/) - [Approach](https://www.glackinpt.com/approach) - [Rates and Insurance](https://www.glackinpt.com/fees/) - [Products](https://www.glackinpt.com/products) - [Blogs](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog) - [Conditions We Treat](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [Physical Therapy for Runners](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-runners) - [TMJ Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/tmj) - [Neck Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-neck-pain) - [Shoulder Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-shoulder-pain) - [Chest Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-for-chest-pain) - [Back Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/back-pain) - [Pelvic Floor Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/physical-therapy-pelvic-pain) - [Hip Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/hip) - [Knee Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/knee) - [Ankle Pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/ankle-pain) - [Additional Services](https://www.glackinpt.com/additional-services/) - [FAQs](https://www.glackinpt.com/faq) - [Online Scheduling](https://scheduling.go.promptemr.com/onlineScheduling?w=1081&s=DL) - [Contact](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) - [ACL](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/acl), - [ACL Tear](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/acl-tear), - [physical therapy in brookhaven, GA](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-in-brookhaven-ga), - [physical therapy for acl tear](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy-for-acl-tear) # ACL Tear ![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/ACL%20tear.jpg) - January 18, 2021 [Glackin Physiotherapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/author/glackin-physiotherapy) Chances are if you follow any types of sports, you have heard of an ACL tear. Your ACL is a ligament within the knee joint that stops your tibia or shin bone from sliding forward, and limits rotation within the tibia. ## How do ACL tears happen? ACL tears happen with sports that involve running and cutting. They can be caused by a blow to the knee, but a lot of times the ACL can tear without any contact. There are certain risk factors that increase the risk of an ACL tear. These include: - **Playing lacrosse, soccer, basketball, football, or other run heavy sports ** - **Female athletes** - **Wider pelvis to knee angle (also called Q angle)** - **Weak hamstrings** - **Landing with stiff knees and hips** ![Soccer players are at a higher risk for ACL tear](https://www.glackinpt.com/hs-fs/hubfs/soccer-players-team-group-isolated-on-black-background-1.jpg?width=500&height=375&name=soccer-players-team-group-isolated-on-black-background-1.jpg) ## How do I avoid an ACL tear? Recent studies have shown there are effective programs to prevent ACL tears, especially in female athletes. These programs include: - Dynamic stretching of the lower limb - Cone drills involving changing or speeds and directions - Plyometric with emphasis on controlled and soft landing Surgery after an ACL tear usually happens for athletes wanting to return to their sport. But the decision to have surgery depends on age, goals, and fitness level. ### In addition to strength and range of motion, is there anything else that can help my ACL recovery? If you sustain an ACL injury, you may be at risk for later development of arthritis within the knee joint. Whether you are getting surgery or not, make sure to look into the following after an ACL tear. - Gentle quadriceps (with knee straight) and hamstrings strengthening - Look into a NMES or electrical stimulation unit for your quadriceps - Swelling management - Gently improving the range of motion of the knee with stretching ## Can a sports physical therapist help me recover from an ACL injury? Yes! All of these things, surgery or not, will help you on the road to recovery. Remember, it is hard to manage an ACL tear on your own. It PAYS to have a trained sports physical therapist familiar with orthopedic rehabilitation to manage your recovery, especially after surgery. DON’T leave your rehab to chance. ## Sports physical therapy for ACL tears in Atlanta, GA If you recently tore your ACL or already had your ACL surgery, [contact our office](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) to set up an evaluation and get started in an orthopedic rehabilitation program. Blog Post ## Related Articles Read more blogs from GlackinPT! [![Mayo Clinic's photo of a knee replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Knee%20replacement.webp)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) [Knee Surgery](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-surgery), [Knee replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-replacement) ### [Knee Replacement](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) January 11, 2021 If you are at the point of considering a knee replacement, odds are you have had a lot of issues with your knees. A... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-replacement) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/CT_and_X-ray_of_spondylolisthesis%2c_and_post-operative.jpg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/lumbar-fusion) [low back pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/low-back-pain), [Physical Therapy](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/physical-therapy), [lumbar fusion](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/lumbar-fusion), [low back surgery](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/low-back-surgery), [fusion](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/fusion) ### [Lumbar Fusion](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/lumbar-fusion) March 22, 2021 Sometimes, despite all of our best efforts and intentions in life we can become injured or suffer an unfortunate... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/lumbar-fusion) [![](https://www.glackinpt.com/hubfs/Knee_pain.jpg)](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-arthritis) [Knee pain](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-pain), [knee arthritis](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/tag/knee-arthritis) ### [Knee Arthritis](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-arthritis) December 21, 2020 Knee arthritis is one of the fastest growing orthopedic problems in the United States. People are living longer today... [Read more](https://www.glackinpt.com/blog/knee-arthritis) Check all articles ### In need of physical therapy after an ACL tear? Reach out to us via our contact page! [Contact us!](https://www.glackinpt.com/contact/) Subscribe for ### Our Blog Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. ### Contact Us! 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