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Acl Injuries Essay

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ACL Injuries

Anthony Romero KIN 461/462 Advisor: Dr. Michael Liang Date: June 15, 2010
Introduction

Kinesiology, often known as human kinetics, is the study of principles of anatomy, physiology, and mechanics in relation to human movements. This field of study is a regulated health profession that focuses on physical activity. These principles have drawn me into this field of study and have urged me to specialize in becoming a physical therapist’s assistant as a choice of profession. My internship takes …show more content…

An anterior cruciate ligament tear can be confirmed by the Lachman test, the dynamic extension test, and the Pivot jerk test. The Lachman test and dynamic extension test is helpful in, “making a diagnosis, particularly in the acute injury.” (1) The lateral pivot test reproduces, “the rotatory subluxation that occurs in ACL defiency. The test is difficult to perform and takes residents and fellows in my practice approximately three months of intensive training to be able to adequately perform the jerk test in the unanaesthetised patient.”(1) The test is important because the demonstration of the lateral pivot jerk is the replication of the instability that the patient has. The initial goals of treatment immediately after injury are to reduce pain, reduce swelling, regain range of motion, and strength. Even if surgery is needed, achieving as much knee motion and strength as possible can greatly reduce complications after surgery. Immediately after an ACL injury, the so-called R.I.C.E. treatment is recommended. R.I.C.E. stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. There are different techniques that repair a torn ACL. The popular method for surgeons is the patellar tendon graft procedure. This type of ACL replacement uses the middle third of the person’s own patellar tendon and replacing the damage tendon with it. The advantages are that the fixation is very strong and the patellar tendon replacing

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