Torn ACL: Alternative Treatments
Torn ACL: Alternative Treatments
Almost everyone who has played sports is familiar with an injury known as a "torn ACL". From baseball pitchers to basketball players and runners to bikers, an ACL injury is one of the more common sports-related conditions.
ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament. A ligament is a tissue that connects one bone to another, and they are found throughout the entire body. The ACL is located in the knee and is one of the four ligaments that stabilize the joint and connect the femur to the tibia (upper leg bone to lower leg bone). The ACL runs from the back of the femur (thighbone) to the front of the tibia (shinbone), and it helps prevent the tibia from moving too far forward.
A torn ACL is exactly what it sounds like - the ACL becomes torn. The most common causes of injury to the ACL are sports that require quick movement. Basketball, soccer, football, skiing, baseball, and biking are all sports in which one might experience a lot of ACL injuries. Twisting motions are also a common culprit, which can happen in almost any activity. Sudden deceleration, awkward landings, and accidents are also common causes.
An ACL injury is categorized into three grades by the modern medical system. Grade one is an injury in which the ACL is stretched but not torn. where Grade two is an injury the ACL is partially torn. A completely torn ACL with instability of the joint is a grade-three injury.
Symptoms of a torn ACL include pain in the knee, immediate swelling, and a feeling of looseness in the joint. People who tear the ACL often feel a pop or snap in the knee, and within a few minutes, the person will be unable to walk on that leg.
MODERN MEDICAL TREATMENT
When one injures their ACL, the medical system urges him to go to the doctor right away. In the meantime, one is instructed to follow RICE (rest, ice compression, and elevation) for two to three days. If there is popping upon movement or extreme pain, one is told to go to the emergency room.
Diagnosing a torn ACL will begin with an interview about how the injury happened. After getting the history, a doctor will perform diagnostic tests to confirm if the ACL is torn or if it Is just sprained.
Lachman's test - the patient lies flat on his back with the knee bent at a 30-degree angle, with the foot flat on the table. The lower leg will be moved forward at the knee - if it moves forward without reaching a firm endpoint, the ACL has been torn.
Pivot shift test - the knee is extended and the foot is rotated while pressure is applied to the outside of the knee and the knee is slowly bent. If the shinbone shifts abnormally on the thighbone, the ACL is probably torn.
MRI - an MRI allows the doctor to evaluate the severity of the torn ACL.
X-Ray - a doctor will take x-rays to check for fractures in the knee.
According to the modern medical system, once an ACL is torn, it has no way of regenerating itself. There are many ways that the modern medical system treats a torn ACL, but they fall into two categories: surgical and non-surgical. The choice of whether to have surgery is usually not a complicated one - those who are determined to return to their normal levels of activity (especially those who play sports) that are strenuous on the knee usually always opt for reconstructive surgery, as many people who live with a torn AC cannot resume their same lifestyle. Other considerations for surgery are the extent of damage to the knee and the level of commitment to rehabilitation.
If one opts not to have surgery, lifestyle changes are certain. Changes to one's activities, including sports, leisure activities, and possibly work, may be required.
Nonsurgical Solutions
Nonsurgical rehabilitation is usually chosen when the knee is stable during normal activities, the cartilage has not been damaged, and the patient does not want to continue with activities that involve jumping, cutting, pivoting, and quick movements. Physical therapy is the focus for nonsurgical treatment. The goal of physical therapy is to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee to make up for the absence of an intact ACL. The targeted muscles are the hamstrings, quadriceps, calf, hip, and ankle. Rehabilitation begins with re-establishing the motion of the knee and continues with strengthening and balancing exercises. Finally, exercises specific to one's sport or work activities are the focus so that further injury can be prevented. Nonsurgical options allow one to continue with normal activity within a month, but rehab will continue for many months. Patients will have to discontinue high-risk sports like skiing, football, and basketball and will probably have to wear a knee brace when exercising or participating in any sport.
Surgery
Surgery is the treatment option that is preferred for people who are not willing to discontinue strenuous sports. It is also recommended when one's knee gives way in daily activities or there is damage to the meniscus (cartilage in the knee at the top of the shinbone). The goal of surgery is to give the patient the most stable knee possible so he can return to his normal sporting activities with a minimum risk for future damage. The ACL is replaced with another tendon, either from your own body or from a cadaver. The surgery is done either under epidural or general anesthesia. After surgery, the knee is bandaged, braced, and elevated, and months of physical therapy are needed. After the rehabilitation period, one usually is able to continue with all activities without a brace.
ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS
Acupuncture
Studies have shown that acupuncture is an effective pain-reducing technique. Acupuncture decreases pain and stiffness in the knee while increasing muscle strength and flexion. It can be an alternative to surgery, depending on the willingness of the patient to change his behaviors and risky activities.
Magnets
Magnetic therapy has helped some ACL sufferers. One man wrapped magnets around his knee for a few weeks and was able to continue with his normal activities without surgery.
TRADITIONAL AFRICAN HEALING
"Contrary to how we feel about it, a torn ACL is not that common. In fact, you can call it an illness of the modern lifestyle," said Traditional African Healer Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig. "People in modern societies have a tendency to be detached from their own body. Coupled with the fact that they tend to put the body under lots of demand and trauma, torn ACLs are a risk."
According to Traditional African Healing, a torn ACL is not incurable - the ligament can grow back if given the right environment. One needs to set the proper conditions for the body, and if this is done, the ACL can reconnect itself and heal.
The first condition that prepares the body to heal is the application of heat to the area. This helps bring blood to the knee, which facilitates healing. If you ice the knee as the medical system advises, you will be drawing blood and thus healing and life) away from the injured ligament.
An amateur treatment for a torn ACL involves massaging the area after it has been heated. It is important to massage in the direction of the muscle; "if you are massaging from the bottom, massage up downwards, but if massaging from the top, massage from the bottom up". This will help align and lengthen the tendon so it can connect and heal.
Essential oils are also very helpful. A mixture of a few drops of camphor mixed with a few drops of eucalyptus in any oil or shea butter will help melt and soften the tissue so it can heal.
Professional healing uses the roots of a tree that is found in semi-equatorial areas. This tree can absorb water from the air as well as the soil, so it has roots underground and on its branches. The roots from the branches are ground and used as a paste on the knee. Ankhkasta Natural Healing, a network of Traditional African Healers with offices in Chicago and New York, has other rare herbs that will heal a torn ACL without surgery. It requires a small incision on the area, and when the herb is applied and enters the bloodstream, healing will be quick. For more information contact Ahnlife.org