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Why Physiotherapy After Knee Ligament Injury Is Important?

The doctor is speaking about physiotherapy after knee surgery. There are four important ligaments in the knee joint, one in the front and back called Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACM) and Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCM). The side supporting ligaments are Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) located on the inside and Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) on the outside. The physiotherapy for different types of ligaments post-surgery differs slightly. The most common injury is the one affecting the ACL. The physiotherapy for ACL continues for up to nine months after the surgery, after which the patient can start sporting activities. Immediately after the ACL surgery, the patient needs to be on a brace. Other exercises that are emphasized upon right after the surgery are static quadriceps exercises or thigh squeezed exercises. Along with this, slight hamstring exercises, assisted or passive knee bending and straightening exercises are also advised. The initial goal of physiotherapy is to get back the knee range of motion, reduce the pain and swelling and strengthen the muscles around the knee. After six weeks, the brace is discarded, and the next set of exercises like a stationary bike at the end of six weeks is advised. At the end of nine months, the patient should have free range of motion and resume sporting activities. After an ACL reconstruction, the newly inserted graft is at its weakest and after which certain exercises can be carried out.