Knee Arthritis|Knock Knees|Virtual Knee Surgery

An MCL injury can be one of the things that will keep you from playing tennis.

Have you ever injured your knee ligaments and are now looking for ways to help yourself get back on the court?

1.) Introduction

When it comes to tennis, we both might agree that playing the sport is more fun than watching from court side. If you want to help yourself get back to playing sports, and tennis in particular, you should seriously consider getting a low profile, light weight knee support. When you get the correct knee brace it can be the one thing that will help secure your knee while you are active. It can also help to reduce your pain because of an injury and when you get meaningful support, this can help you to begin the healing process with much less worry.

2.) Tennis Knee Braces To Protect Your MCL

Many athletes have used a knee brace while they were recovering to help them get back into their sport. We are not saying that a knee brace will heal you the moment you put it on, but we are saying that it is the one thing that will help support and protect your injury while you recover. The great thing about knee supports is that you may temporarily forget that you have an knee injury, from time to time, but the knee brace (if worn properly) will not forget that you have the injury. It will help to restrict unwanted movements that will put your healing knee injury in jeopardy.

3.) Your Choices When It Comes To Soccer Knee Support

If you want moderate to top of the line knee support, you will most likely want to look at knee supports that use a hinge on either side of the knee. Attached to these hinges is an upright that goes below and above the knee. You have probably seen different kinds of knee braces before, so this should not be anything new. However, this hinge mechanism can help to stop excessive movements that can make your injury worse! If you have a mild knee injury then you may want to look at elastic knee supports that act as a reminder to you, not to make dangerous movements. However, if you want more support for soccer, it is time to look at a well designed hinged knee brace.

* This is health information. Our experience has shown that knee braces can be of great assistance to soccer players and other athletes, but we do have to refer you to your doctor for medical advice for your particular knee injury first.

A very common ailment for people as they get older is knee pain. As you get older your body begins to wear down and your muscles usually begin to deteriorate. As a result, many people suffer from different pains and ailments throughout their body. Bad pain in the knee is usually a result of arthritis in the knee. People who have arthritis are probably aware that it will cause knee inflammation and severe pain.

People who suffer from arthritis are probably aware that one of the best ways to treat this pain is to focus on strengthening the muscles that surround the knee. Being proactive and building up your muscles can help stabilize the weakened knee. It can also help to relieve some of the pressure that is being put on your knee. It is important to realize that finding a good exercise routine for your knee is not only a good way to treat current problems, but it is a good way to treat future problems.

If your body is healthy and strong, you will be less likely to develop any ailments or pains. Focusing on trying to treat the causes of knee inflammation means that you can work to prevent it from occurring. If you are looking into pain killers to help your pain, you should be aware that painkillers are not a long term solution. Most pain killers will only act to mask the pain that you are experiencing. You need to find a good knee pain treatment program that will comprehensively help you eliminate the swelling and pain.

A spa might give you unexpected relief from arthritis pain.

Soft bones or osteomalacia means that you experience extreme pain when you put pressure on the bones. Likewise osteoarthritis of the knee means that you are not in a position to do conventional exercises. That is why osteoporosis patients have sometimes turned to spa baths as one of the ways in which they can get relief. In the Edwardian age, many members of the upper classes thought that these spas could treat the symptoms of Paget's disease of the bone even if they were not yet clear about the sources of that condition. Some people suffered from Patellofemoral pain syndrome. This was characterized by knee pain in young adults. Spas have been recommended for Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), dermatomyositis and Polymyositis. Some of the benefits reported include:

1. Soothing effects on the bones: Although the scientific research on this is rather sketchy, some patients claim that they get relief from the spas. The bones are excruciatingly painful when you suffer from arthritis and therefore the anecdotal evidence has to be taken at face value. Patients are the best source of information about their symptoms because they feel the pain.

2. Relieving muscle tension in the body: Sometimes the arthritis patient will not get a chance to move their muscles about. That will lead to tension and the infamous muscle pull. Bathing in a spa will relax these muscles and give them some pain relief. It might be necessary to stretch after the treatment in order to maximize the benefits.

3. Dealing with aching joints: Often arthritis patients will complain of chronically aching joints. It is important that there are different options in addition to the non steroidal ant inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Spas have been known to provide relief for aching joints.

4. Reducing insomnia: The intensive pain that is felt by arthritis patients might lead them to suffer from insomnia. This is a debilitating condition because the patient will always feel tired and yet they have no means to rest. Bathing in a good quality spa might induce sleep and reduce the incidence of insomnia.

Although spas might be considered to be ancient techniques with little scientific research, the reality is that many people swear by them. You can go on a warm spa in order to warm up your bones in the winter. It is also a good way to get out of the house and exercise those bones in a safe manner.

The Multi-Disease

The "Arth" in arthritis literally means joints, while "itis"refers to "inflammation. Arthritis encompasses over 100 variants, making it a multi-disease. It can afflict people of all age ranges, including up to 300,000 children.

Warning Indicators Of Arthritis

Watch for these warning signs of arthritis:

• Pain


• Swelling


• Stiffness


• Difficulty of joint movement

If symptoms continue over a two-week period necessitate a visit to your doctor.

Most Common Kind Of Arthritis

Of the more than 100 types of arthritis, the most common is osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disorder which is also known as "wear-and-tear" arthritis.

This type of arthritis afflicts over 20 million people in the United States. It is usually associated with advanced age, but can also be caused by obesity and athletic injuries.

Rheumatoid Arthritis: The Autoimmune Disease

Another common type of the disease is Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder suffered by 2.1 million of the United States population. Rheumatoid arthritis causes the bodys' immune system to attack joint, cartilage and ligament cells, resulting in chronic inflammation which damages the joint and its surrounding areas. Apart from the systemic effects of the disease in severe cases, deformity and disability can occur.

No Known Cure

Medical science has yet to discover a cure for arthritis. The most that can be done to remedy the disease is to alleviate the accompanying pain while preventing the occurrence of deformity and debilitation. Successful management of arthritis depends on two crucial factors: early diagnosis of the disease and administering an aggressive treatment plan.

Undertaking An Aggressive Treatment Plan

During the process of diagnosing and evaluating your condition, your physician may recommend an aggressive type of treatment to manage your symptoms. While prescriptive drugs like aspirin, Tylenol or NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may provide mild relief, this conservative form of pain and inflammation relief may not be enough, particularly for more severe or advanced cases of arthritis.

Aggressive treatment may involve prescribing methotrexate or Arava. These two medications fall under the classification of DMARDS (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs).

Your doctor may also advise incorporating TNF blockers of biologics, a more recent class of anti rheumatic drugs, like:

• Enbrel


• Humira


• Remicade

Another kind of medication, Prednisone, is also used for aggressive reduction of arthritis. At present, there are drugs currently under development to treat the disease. Meanwhile many other different remedies like exercise programs, physical therapy, surgery and other supplementary care regimens may be used as complimentary support in the management of arthritis.

Diagnosing Arthritis

If you have been suffering from arthritic symptoms for over two weeks, or suspect that you have the disease, you should schedule a visit to your doctor. You doctor will conduct a thorough examination and assess your medical history. If necessary, you will need to have x-rays and submit to laboratory tests for a more accurate and comprehensive diagnosis. Expect to undergo basic and complicated lab and x-ray checks to confirm any indications of abnormal inflammation or signs of damaged or eroded joint tissue.

Seeing A Rheumatologist

Doctors who treat arthritis and arthritis-related disorders are called Rheumatologists. Their specialty is the diagnosis, treatment and management of arthritis, and your internist or family practitioner may refer you to one.

Arthritis Fast Facts

• In the United States, an estimated 66 million adults in 2005 reportedly suffer from arthritis and other chronic joint symptoms.


• Of these 66 million, nearly 43 million have been medically diagnosed as arthritis.


• The remaining 23 million continue to suffer chronic joint pain without consulting a medical professional.


• The disease has been considered the number one cause of disability among Americans 15 years and older.


• Arthritic sufferers are predominantly women.

Everyone loves 9 years old Allison. Allison lives with Mark, a confirmed bachelor. The story goes that when Alison's parents died in an auto accident, her parents identified Mark as the guardian in their will. Allison's biological family hates it. Mark discovers that Allison is dying. Everyone has an opinion. No one can agree on the best solution. This creates a very stressful time in Mark's life. Any decision he selects will generate criticism. As Mark ponders these thoughts in his heart, he wonders if he will survive this crisis.

The Panic Button

How do you deal with a serious crisis? Does it bring you to tears or do you grow stronger? How does a person make a critical decision with little time on their hands? That is the question that I pondered in my heart as I reflected on the many critical decisions made over the last several years. Unfortunately, many of those decisions were life threatening ones that required immediate action.

As I think about my decisions as the head of my household, I knew everyone did not agree with my decisions and as a consequence created strained relationships. In the role of a church leader and in my job, I constantly come across people who must make decisions in a crisis. Decisions made in very short timeframes create much anxiety. Some of these decisions relate to personal health, death in a family, relationship drama, and financial obstacles.

Any of these situations can knock a strong person to their knees. Before I discuss some helpful tools, let's discuss some practical facts that make a crisis difficult for us. A crisis is defined as a decision point in an unstable condition involving an impending abrupt or decisive change. Living in a crisis can cause an emotional or traumatic change in a person's life.

A decision is defined as an act of reaching a conclusion or making up one's mind. When you add a crisis, with its emotional baggage, to a decision, you have created a situation that most people find difficult to cope. Dr. William Black, author of Finding Strength, explains, "The reality of our existence is that life can be hard. We have difficulties to face....For each of us, life's trials may be detrimental to our ability to function in everyday life."

The Crisis Club

If you are a human being, your life will include of a series of easy to complicated decisions. Some critical decisions include selecting your life insurance, buying a home, or accepting a job offer. A rational approach to decision-making under a normal situation would be: (a) define the problem, (b) weigh the pros and cons, and (c) select the best solution. Given this simple process, what then makes a crisis difficult? There are several things that make a crisis a challenge for most people, which are: (a) shortness of time, (b) the emotional component, and (c) the immediateness of a response by the individual involved.

Wouldn't it be easy to just deal with a crisis in a logical manner? In most cases, this is difficult to do. For example, a doctor is faced with disconnecting his mother from life support. His head tells him that it's the logical thing to do, but his heart tells him that she's his mother. Therefore, the emotional drain and the additional adrendine clouds our sense of judgment in a crisis. However, individuals can take comfort that you can take some positive steps in making a good decisions. Here are some proven methods for getting through these crucial times:

• Seek comfort through pray and meditation. These solutions have stood the test of time.
  


• Determine how much actual time you have to make the decision. If possible, use all of the time you have to make a good decision.
  


• Write down the problem. Can you define the actual decision that needs to be made?
  


• Write down the possible options to your problem. Do you have enough information? Is more research needed?
  


• Weigh your options by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages.
  


• Get advice from reliable sources you trust. Can you trust Aunt Susan to give you her best advice when she's emotionally attached to your problem (she may)?
  


• Trust God. Although this may not be popular in our culture, the reality is that people, as humans, are limited. It better to believe that God will correct the situation.
  


• Make the best decision, move on, and accept the consequences.
  

Fortunately, a crisis is not the end of the world. You might actually view it as a new beginning because you will gain strength through these ordeals. There are countless stories of marriages torn apart and families destroyed due to a faulty decision mode in the heat of a crisis. Don't make that mistake. Keep a positive outlook on life. Start today!

Consider planning out how you will address a crisis before it happens. Talk with others who have been "battled tested" through a crisis and learn from them. Remember, good things can come from bad situations. Be encouraged and start planning today.

The following information has been collected from various sources (see references on the Advanced Nutrition UK website) and has been backed up by the rapid recovery of my son-in-law following a serious operation to his jaw. My wife and I have also experienced the benefits of pure collagen capsules (most notably for arthritic pain and when kneeling down to play with our grandson!). I feel that many people could benefit from this awareness and hope the following is helpful.

In recent years Collagen Hydrolysate (CH) is increasingly being used as a nutritional supplement, especially for the treatment of degenerative joint diseases and for the management of skin care.

Numerous international clinical studies have been able to confirm the positive effect of Collagen Hydrolysate in the treatment of degenerative joint disease. It is important to note that ordinary collagen cannot be absorbed readily into the body and the hydrolysate process is what makes this possible.

Clinical Studies

In clinical studies involving over 2000 patients with diagnosed Osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain, a decrease in the consumption of analgesics and improved mobility in patients who had received a daily dose of CH over a period of at least 3 months. Overall, treatment of the patients involved with CH over a longer period of time was regarded as being remarkably successful, with more than 75% of the patients reported improvement of symptoms.

Comparable results were obtained with a number of observational studies on persons suffering from painful joints or athletes whose joints were subject to increased mechanical stress. In these cases too the administration of Collagen Hydrolysate resulted in substantial pain reduction and improved mobility. Recently, these results could be confirmed in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study conducted at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania on 147 athletes.

In addition to the reported efficacy of CH on joint health, clinical studies also indicated a positive effect of CH on tendons demonstrating a significant improvement of tissue strength.

Studies relating to skin care revealed a pronounced improvement of skin function and increased skin hydration after CH ingestion on a regular basis.

Ingestion and Distribution of Collagen Hydrolysate

Intestinal absorption of Collagen Hydrolysate could be demonstrated by means of a commonly accepted experimental model. It could be shown that more than 90% of the orally administered CH is rapidly absorbed by the intestines and appeared in blood plasma, accounting for a high bioavailability. These results were confirmed by a study performed on healthy human volunteers in which major constituents of CH derived peptides were identified in human serum and plasma after oral ingestion.

Investigations on the qualitative absorption revealed that CH is not completely broken down by the digestive system, but that a variety of collagen fragments, including up to 10% high molecular form peptides are absorbed following oral administration of CH, with some individual variability.

In additional studies with labelled CH, it was shown that a significant amount of collagen peptides could be detected in skin and cartilage tissue after one single administration, indicating an accumulation of these peptides within the connective tissue.

Mode of Action

In addition to obtaining proof of clinical efficacy of Collagen Hydrolysate, a significant number of research projects have been started worldwide with participation by a number of international institutes of repute with the goal of investigating the mechanism of action of the substance.

Cell culture experiments investigating the efficacy of HC revealed that the treatment of the cartilage cells with CH induced a statistically significant, dose-dependent increase in type II collagen synthesis of chondrocytes compared to the untreated controls.

These results clearly indicate that CH has a stimulatory effect on both important structural macromolecules of the ECM - collagen and proteoglycans, and thus might be of therapeutic relevance to slow or even halt the progressive degradation of articular cartilage tissue in osteoarthritis.

Beside the impact of CH on cartilage tissue, preclinical studies suggested positive effects of a CH treatment on tendons and skin.

Investigations on skin seem to indicate that the administration of Collagen Hydrolysate enhances the hydroxyproline content in the soluble fraction of skin, which may be related to skin collagen synthesis. Moreover, it was stated that CH treatment might increase the water binding capacity of the epidermis. More recently, it was reported that the ingestion of CH induces increased fibroblast density and enhances the formation of collagen fibrils in the dermis.

Safety of Collagen Hydrolysate Ingestion

In numerous investigations it could be shown that collagen hydrolysate has an excellent safety profile.

Collagen hydrolysate is a food product, and the FDA lists it as GRAS (generally recognized as safe), the highest possible safety category. Moreover, the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices and the Ministry for Consumer Affairs in Germany as well as the World Health Organization, have also confirmed that CH is safe and that there is no risk involved in consuming larger quantities on a regular basis.

Summary

Numerous preclinical investigations have demonstrated the positive effect of Collagen Hydrolysate on the metabolism of connective tissue. The results seem to indicate that CH treatment stimulates the synthesis of cartilage tissue, affects the size of collagen fibrils and the composition of glycosaminoglycans in the Achilles tendon, enhances the collagen synthesis and the formation of collagen fibrils in the skin and increases the water binding capacity of the epidermis.

Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of CH in the treatment of degenerative joint diseases. Moreover, CH ingestion seems to have positive effects on tendons as well as on skin function and hydration.

Based on these results and due to its excellent safety profile a treatment with Collagen Hydrolysate on a daily basis might well be of particular importance for the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissue.

There seems to be excellent scientific and corroborative evidence that Pure Collagen Hydrolysate can be beneficial to joint pain, recovery from injury involving connective tissue (Achilles tendons, ligaments) as well as improving the elasticity and health of the skin, hair and nails.

It does seem as though pure collagen hydolysate (types 1 & 2) capsules can in many cases have a noticeable beneficial effect on joint health & strength, as well as reducing the pain associated with forms of arthritis. In addition, many celebrities endorse the anti-ageing properties of proto-col pure collagen capsules.

One of the more fun and fashionable trends you'll see these days is that of thigh high socks and stockings being worn by all kinds of women for all kinds of occasions. From the convenience and warmth they offer to the fun, playful options available, above the knee socks and hose have come a long way. But just how far have they come? Let's take a brief look at the history of socks and stockings.

While the first socks were quite a bit different than what you think of today, they actually date all the way back to the stone ages. At that time they were simple animal skins that were gathered around the foot and tied around the ankles. And there is evidence that the ancient Egyptians had some form of knitted sock already (really not too surprising when you consider how advanced they were in so many ways. The fact that they had knitted socks just fits in with the rest of the story of these amazing people).

By the 8th century BC the Greeks started using a form of socks that were made from the matted hair of animals. While it isn't clear whether these were worn by the general public, it seems that perhaps they were limited to use in theatrical plays, and more specifically in comedies. I guess matted animal hair socks are pretty funny looking if you think about it.

Much later, by the late 1400's, pants and socks became a single unit which later became known as 'tights'. Most often they were made from fine silks, wool and/or velvet of many different colors. In fact, it wasn't unusual to have each leg of the tights being a separate color.

Up to this point in time, these kinds of tights or 'hose' were worn primarily by the wealthy. But a hundred years later, by the late 1500s, the invention of knitting machines allowed for more mass production of the garments, making them more accessible to more people.

By the 19th century in the United States, we began to see the creation of full on knitting mills, pushing production levels even higher and accessibility to even more common folk. At the same time, fashion was leading to men's pants to become longer and longer which caused stockings to become shorter and shorter. In fact, as the stockings continued to get shorter, the name was eventually shortened as well to simply 'socks'.

I'm a big believer in bodyweight exercises, particularly Hindu Pushups and Hindu Squats. However, many people do not even want to try Hindu squats as they believe that as the knee extends beyond the knee, this is dangerous. It will somehow "shear the knees."

There is no doubt in my mind that you want to treat your knees with care. The knee is a delicate joint and may be one of the biggest trouble spots for people (next to back pain). When you lose the cartilage in your knee, it's gone for good. I speak from experience on this. On the right side of my right knee there is cartilage that is severely damaged. What happened to me?

Well, it certainly wasn't Hindu squats. I used to be a big time runner and I suspect all of the "pounding the pavement" I did really pounded the heck out of my knees. I also really twisted my knee over 20 years ago playing football in a park. I didn't think of it at the time, but my doctor suspects this is where the initial damage occurred. So, when it comes to knee pain and damaging your knee, I think I know something about it.

From my experience with Hindu squats, they strengthen the knee. When I first started with this exercise there were some aches and pains, not to mention snapping and popping sounds. However, I took it easy and kept at it. After about a month of consistent training (meaning, training everyday) the pain seemed to go away. It took some time, but this kind of bodyweight exercise, like all of them , not only strengthen the muscles and help you build endurance, they also strengthen the ligaments and tendons. This is something that weight lifting doesn't do.

Some people have told me that baseball catchers have terrible knees. Supposedly, they got this way from all of the squatting they do. This sounds like an old wives tale to me. The people who tell me this can't offer up the actual names of any baseball catchers who believe this. Until they do, I will remain highly suspicious of this claim.

But there is another factor in my thinking here. The fact of the matter is that a good portion of the world sit in a catcher's position on a regular basis for their entire lives. If you've ever been to Asia, you'll see people squatting like this all the time. I'm willing to bet that these people have far healthier knees and backs than North Americans. If there was any truth to the "knee sheering" theory, you'd think there would be an epidemic of shot knees through Asia. It just hasn't happened.

In conclusion, from my experience, Hindu squats do not damage your knees. In fact, just the opposite. They can actually help you strengthen your knees and get rid of chronic knee pain. You just have to work at it.

Having pain in your joints now and then is common but when you wake up one morning and every joint hurts, where your toes may twinge and your knees and arms are constantly hit by sharp jolts, you have grounds to be concerned.

Arthritis however may not be the problem here, a viral, kidney infection or tendonitis could be the cause, in which case anti-inflammatory drugs maybe prescribed for the very short term until the symptoms subside and you recover.

If however some form of arthritis has not been detected, then it's obviously crucial that your doctor advises you to see a rheumatologist.

Also, be sure to keep a diary of the pain you're experiencing so in case blood tests don't reveal the cause as is often the case when trying to detect this disease, you have some detailed notes which will help your doctor pinpoint what illness you have.

Here's an example of how almost every joint in your body may hurt:

From head down:

• No pain above neck level, no fever, no headache, no sickness.


• Pain across shoulders when you try to raise an arm or turn your head.


• When you clench a fist there's a pain in the elbow joint.


• Rotating wrists causes pain.


• Straightening or bending the joint will cause additional elbow agony.


• A strong ache in the lower back when you sit or stand up.


• Standing causes discomfort in the knees.


• The hip may be tender to touch.


• Curling your toes causes pain along with trying to point your feet up in the air.


• Rotating the ankle can be excruciating.


• When sat down if you try and cross your legs the knee's may crack and also feel hot and inflamed and tender to touch around the knee joint and surrounding muscle.

If you are experiencing something close to or all of these symptoms across your whole body, then you will most definitely get referred to a rheumatologist - a rheumy.

To help speed up the diagnosis, along with keeping tabs on the joint pains you are experiencing and at what particular time, keep a list also of the foods you've been consuming as gluten foods for example can really inflame joints where as fresh fish and certain vegetables can help reduce the swelling and pain.

By doing so your rheumy will be able to connect the dots. You will also be asked to bring a urine sample and the list of medications you've been taking.

ACL tears are one of the most common forms of knee injuries, especially for athletes involved in high-risk sports like basketball, skiing and football. Recovering from an ACL injury can be a very difficult and long journey. In this article we will examine the entire process, from injury through recovery, and discuss what an individual who has recently sustained an ACL tear can expect during each phase along the way to help make the recovery process more manageable.

Causes of ACL Tears

ACL tears often are the result of a sudden change in direction, such as pivoting, cutting, awkward landings or sidestepping moves made in sports like basketball, skiing or football. Of course an ACL tear can also occur in non-sports settings as well.

The anterior cruciate ligament (or ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee that connect the tibia and femur bones that help form the knee joint. Torn ligaments, such as the ACL, cause the knee to be unstable.

Immediately following the injury, the patient usually will experience some pain as well as swelling and instability in the knee. To properly diagnose an ACL tear, a physician will usually order either x-rays or an MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

Treatment Options

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatment options available for ACL tears. The best form of treatment will largely depend on the person's activity level and the severity of the injury. For those who live fairly sedentary lifestyles non-surgical treatment may be an option, depending on how serious the injury is. Children may also need to forgo surgery because there is a risk of plate damage since their young bodies are still growing.

A non-surgical treatment program will involve extensive physical therapy and education. The patient may also wear a hinged knee brace to help with instability and prevent further injury.

For serious athletes and those with physically demanding jobs or active lifestyles, surgery is most likely the best option. For full ACL tears or combined injuries, surgery is also usually recommended.

ACL Reconstructive Surgery

Surgical treatment of a torn ACL involves reconstructive surgery where the damaged ACL is replaced with a graft made from tendon. The most common grafts are from a patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or tendon from a cadaver. ACL reconstruction surgery does have a high success rate. Before undergoing surgery, the patient may be sent to do some physical therapy for a few days or weeks first.

Recovery from Surgery

After surgery, the patient will normally spend a few days lay in bed to recover. Once out of bed, he or she will most likely will be using crutches for a few weeks and after that may wear a functional hinged post-op knee brace.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

Rehabilitation usually starts several days after surgery. The main focus is on strength and mobility. The major goals are to strengthen the damaged knee and muscles surrounding the knee, such as the quadriceps muscle, as well as work on restoring range of motion and stability.

Physical therapy does involve doing lots of repetitive exercises and does require plenty of determination and focus. Serious athletes will spend almost every day, or at least several times a week, in the training room working on strengthening their knee. It is very important that the patient is willing to spend several months of hard work to restore their knee to full strength.

The rehabilitation process will generally last from six to nine months before an athlete is cleared to play contact sports again. The physician and trainer may also suggest that the patient wear a knee ACL ligament brace while playing to help protect and provide stability to the knee.

ACL reconstruction surgery does have a high success rate. A full recovery mostly depends on the severity of the patient's injury and the dedication put into the rehabilitation process. It may take six months to a full year and a lot of hard work to regain full strength, but it is possible to recover from an ACL tear.