ACL Injuries and the Benefits of Hip Strengthening

We frequently hear about those who have torn or sprained their anterior cruciate ligament.  The injury may have occurred during sport, recreation, or even a simple misstep on uneven ground.  There are common mechanisms of injury that can cause an ACL sprain or rupture. There is also important strengthening that can be done at the hip to help avoid or decrease risk for ACL injury.

 Anatomy

 The anterior cruciate ligament exists inside the knee joint to help stabilize against excess rotation and forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) on the femur (thigh bone).  The ACL runs from the posterior aspect, or further back, on the femur to the anterior aspect, or further forward, on the tibia.

Mechanisms of Injury

 The common mechanisms of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament include a twisting motion, a sudden change in direction, a sudden stop, landing from a jump incorrectly, or a collision that puts the knee into a rotational movement or moves the tibia forward compared to the femur.  A common motion that puts stress on the anterior cruciate ligament is internal rotation and adduction of the femur.  This means that the knee twists and moves inward toward the midline of the body.

Hip Strengthening

Hip strengthening and biomechanics training are important to help avoid or decrease that inward movement and rotation at the knee.  Large muscles at the hip such as the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius play an important role in stabilizing the position of the femur, thereby, controlling the position of the knee.  There are specific exercises that can be performed through instruction from your physical therapist that focus on strengthening these muscles.  In addition to those exercises, your physical therapist will help you to focus on correct body mechanics to avoid increased stress on the anterior cruciate ligament.  Self-awareness of body positioning during activity is important for long term benefit from strengthening and biomechanics training.  

Monument Health Physical Therapy staff will be happy to help you with your rehabilitation in the event that you have a knee injury or in your post-surgical care. 

Megan Quinn, DPT is a physical therapist at Monument Health Rehabilitation in Deadwood.