Virtually every sport and physical activity comes with an inherent risk, however small, of some form of strain or injury. Whether a person is running marathons or sitting at a desk for nine hours a day, the many muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints of the body are under some form of pressure. Factor in the normal mechanical wear and tear over time as people age, and most people can expect to experience some kind of injury or strain at some point in time.
ACL Tear Prevention
ACL tears and ruptures (anterior cruciate ligament) can be common in professional athletes and people who participate in certain sports like basketball and baseball, but they can affect non-athletic people as well. Seemingly innocuous activities like running to catch a bus or stepping out of a car at an awkward angle can be enough to cause an ACL tear. The ACL is one of the largest ligaments in the human body, and a tear or rupture usually results from a forceful jarring or pivoting motion of the knee.
There are several steps people can take for ACL tear prevention.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
The first step most people should consider for knee, joint, and overall optimal health is to maintain a healthy weight. Extra weight obviously puts an added amount of strain on already overworked joints. Making appropriate adjustments to nutrition and incorporating an exercise routine under the advice of a medical or health professional is a wise investment for anyone looking to improve their quality of life and enjoy healthy, injury-free activities.
Stretch, Strengthen, Repeat
Staying in shape doesn’t have to involve running five miles a day or hitting the basketball court after work. Activities that incorporate cardiovascular conditioning, stretching, and strength training (like walking and yoga) can help to maintain strong, healthy joints that are less prone to injury.
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