You will notice that your range of motion is significantly limited immediately after an ACL injury. In most cases, simple range-of-motion exercises are recommended early on with the aim of restoring normal range of motion. You may hear terms like “heel slides” and “quad sets,” two very simple, low-load exercises designed to help you regain flexion (ability to bend the knee) and extension (ability to straighten the knee). to get.
When performing these types of exercises, keep in mind that the goal of prehab is to reduce the guarding mechanisms the body has developed as a result of the injury. Try to only work within a range of motion that does not increase pain levels above 2/10 and breathe well. If you are in a lot of pain and holding your breath, you may find that these exercises are not as effective.
Immediately after an ACL injury occurs, the brain changes the way it uses the muscles in the affected area. Over a short period of time, these muscles begin to lose strength. When muscles lose strength, they are unable to create and absorb force as efficiently, putting joints, tendons and ligaments at greater risk for injury. Therefore, strengthening exercises are necessary to build strength in the affected muscles.
In general, strengthening exercises involve moving a resistance load through a range of motion. You can use a number of items for resistance, including your own body weight (think a simple squat pattern), resistance band, a set of weights, or even the preferred form of resistance for Accelerate ACL, electricity.
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