I attended the Chargers-Vikings game at the new SoFi stadium. Very impressive facility. The game exciting with the Vikings coming out on top 27-20. The speed of the game is impressive, and you can really appreciate the toughness of the players. Injuries will always be a part of the game. I wrote about hamstring injuries in last month’s blog. This month, another high-profile athlete sustained an injury.
Last week we heard the news that one of the LA Rams’ talented wide receivers, Robert Woods, went down in practice with an ACL tear. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is located in the center of the knee. Like all ligaments, its job is to connect one bone to the other. The ACL connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). It keeps the knee stable during running, jumping, pivoting and twisting activities. If the knee bends or twists beyond what the ACL can withstand, a tear will occur. Patients typically describe sudden pain, hearing or feeling a pop, followed by swelling in the knee. With some ACL tears, patients can walk off the field but cannot continue to play the sport due to a sense of instability. When an injury occurs, see an orthopedic sports medicine specialist. Initial treatment will include ice, anti-inflammatories, and possibly a brace. An MRI will confirm the diagnosis. Gentle physical therapy can begin to aide in range of motion. In general, patients who desire to continue sports will require surgery for a torn ACL.
How could a well-conditioned professional athlete sustain one of these injuries during practice with all the training and strengthening they do? Unfortunately, 70% of ACL injures are non-contact and can happen to anyone, anytime. There are ways to help prevent ACL tears through exercise and improving running, jumping, and landing mechanics. These ACL injury prevention programs are offered by most physical therapy offices around LA.
Hopefully the LA teams can stay healthy and make a run to the playoffs!
Dr. Ryan Morgan, MD