Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
ACL injury: a guide from the Bodyline Health team at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty.
What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally through the middle of the knee, connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It stops the shin sliding forward and helps control twisting.
Because of that job, the ACL is vulnerable in sports with jumping, landing and quick changes of direction – football, netball, basketball and skiing are common culprits.
ACL injury symptoms
- A pop or a feeling of the knee “giving way” at the time of injury
- Rapid swelling within a few hours
- Difficulty putting weight through the leg straight away
- A feeling that the knee is unstable when you turn or pivot
- Loss of full bending or straightening
What to do straight after an ACL injury
Rest from sport, use ice and compression, elevate the leg and use crutches if you cannot walk normally. Then get the knee assessed – an MRI arranged through your GP or a specialist is often used to confirm an ACL injury and check for other damage, such as to the meniscus.
ACL injury rehabilitation
Early phase
Settle swelling, restore full knee straightening and get the thigh muscles switching on again.
Strength phase
Progressive strength work for the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips and calves, plus balance training.
Return-to-sport phase
Running, landing, cutting and sport-specific drills, progressed only when strength and control tests are met.
Some people return to their activities with rehabilitation alone; others, especially in pivoting sports, choose ACL reconstruction. Either way, rehab typically takes many months.
Reducing the risk of an ACL injury
Warm-up programs that train landing, balance and strength reduce knee injury risk in sport. Ask us how to build one into your team training.
For other knee and leg problems, see our page on physiotherapy in Lower Plenty.
Who at Bodyline Health can help with an ACL injury?
Because our practitioners work under one roof, your care can be shared between people who talk to each other.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): ACL rehabilitation before and after surgery, and return-to-sport testing.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): assessment of the knee, hip and lower back and an exercise plan.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): soft tissue care for tight thigh, hip and calf muscles during rehab.
When to seek urgent medical help
Go to an emergency department if your knee is severely deformed, you cannot move it, your lower leg is cold, pale or numb, or the knee is hot and red with fever. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading: Knee injuries (Better Health Channel); ACL reconstruction (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
Can you walk with an ACL injury?
Often yes, once swelling settles, but the knee may feel unstable when turning. Get it assessed before returning to sport.
Do all ACL injuries need surgery?
No. Some people manage well with rehabilitation alone. The decision depends on your knee, your sport and your goals.
How long is ACL rehab?
Return to pivoting sport commonly takes nine to twelve months after reconstruction.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
