ACLR- ACL Reconstruction in the Professional or Elite Athlete

Anterior cruciate ligament injury is one of the most common sports-related injuries. Its incidence is increasing at all levels, and the patterns are also notable in elite athletes. The injuries are most notable during competition rather than during practice. This is because competitions involve movements that put a lot of stress on the knee, such as landing wrong after a jump, stopping suddenly, or changing direction quickly. In adverse cases, ACL injuries require surgery for an optimal healing process. This post will discuss ACL surgery or reconstruction.

What is Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a procedure used to replace torn ACL- a vital ligament in the knee. The surgery is performed by an experienced orthopedic surgeon. It focuses on restoring your knee stability and giving it the full range of motion it had before the injury. The practitioner uses either of the following surgical procedures depending on the severity of your injury.

• Autograft: In this case, the orthopedic surgeon uses tendons from another part of your body to replace the torn tendons on your knee.
• Allograft: Allograft involves using tissues from another person, for instance, a deceased donor.
• Synthetic graft: The procedure uses artificial materials to replace the tendon. Silver and silk were used in the 20th century, but more advanced materials such as carbon fiber are available now.

How Soon Should One Get ACL Reconstruction?

Elite athletes are more prone to complete ACL tears. Therefore, they need a reliable solution to return to their activities without their fear of future injuries. Most practitioners recommend having the surgery at least three to six weeks after the injury. This allows inflammation in the injured area to subside and prevents scarring after the procedure. However, a surgeon might gauge the timing depending on the patient’s level of pain, the physical appearance of the knee, and the range of motion and muscle control.

What is the Recovery Time for ACLR?

ACLR is an effective procedure to help elite athletes return to their activities. It takes about six months for the patient to return to participating in competitions after the procedure. However, the timing can depend on the level of competition and the activity. Patients can walk with crutches and a brace to keep the pressure off the knee after the surgery. Your surgeon will advise you to enter progressive physical therapy after a few days to restore strength and stability.

Should I Incorporate Sensory Performance Training Eyewear?

After ACL reconstruction, surgeons encourage various exercises to enhance your range of motion. While these exercises are practical, you can also include sensory performance eyewear from Strobe Sports eyewear for the best results. Our eyewear is designed to reestablish neuromuscular pathways often affected after the injury. The brain changes how it processes information from an injured knee, but our eyewear provides an ideal solution. They visually distract you so that your brain rewires back to its original state. The eyewear comes with an elastic strap that allows it to stay in place during exercise and a rechargeable integrated battery. Shop your strobe sport glasses right now.