Bio-Structural Integration™ sets the new standard of rehabilitation that is unique, effective and provides quick relief of pain! It is a unique, trademarked process at Osteoklinika!
Over 15 years ago we discovered that therapy centered around only one system simply does not work. Why? The body functions as a unit. When we get injured the central nervous system may be affected, the joints will develop misalignment, the muscles will be in spasm, connective tissue and fascia become tight, the inflammatory process sets in, even internal organs can be affected. Every cell in our body works synergetically together to maintain homeostasis.
When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ we address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment Cranial Osteopathy is used to release central nervous system lesions. After that Osteopathic Structural Adjustments are used to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and Electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle.
Low Intensity Laser Therapy
Low Intensity Laser Therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation, while stimulating healing. It isn't a magic cure however; in cases where surgery is recommended, Laser Therapy applied prior to and after surgery will improve healing and get you back to the things you enjoy faster!
When one system is disturbed the other cannot function properly. In our method of Bio-Structural Integration™ we address the dysfunction at every level. Within one treatment Cranial Osteopathy is used to release central nervous system lesions. After that Osteopathic Structural Adjustments are used to correct the joints, followed by Myofascial Release of connective tissue. Neuromuscular Massage is implemented to reduce muscular tension, and Electrotherapy helps to interrupt the pain cycle.
Low Intensity Laser Therapy
Low Intensity Laser Therapy can effectively reduce pain and inflammation, while stimulating healing. It isn't a magic cure however; in cases where surgery is recommended, Laser Therapy applied prior to and after surgery will improve healing and get you back to the things you enjoy faster!
What Is An ACL Injury?Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries are common in contact sports and those involving a sudden change of direction. Often an ACL injury will occur in combination with injury to other structures in the knee joint.
Torn ACL symptoms
At the time of injury, symptoms of an anterior cruciate ligament sprain will include extreme pain in the knee. There is likely to be a lot of immediate swelling from bleeding within the joint which will feel warm. There may be an audible pop or crack at the time of injury and a feeling of instability.
Often an athlete will seek professional advice at a clinic the next day or two after injury. By that time there will be considerable swelling making it very difficult to diagnose exactly what is wrong with the knee. After a few days when the swelling has gone down it will be easier to examine the knee joint. Symptoms will include restricted range or movement with particular difficulty straightening the leg. It will be tender all around the knee joint. There will be positive signs in the Anterior Drawer test and Lachman's test.
Anterior Drawer Test
With the patient laying on their back with the injured knee bent to 90 degrees and the foot flat on the table. The practitioner may stabilize the foot by sitting on it.The practitioner will grasp the upper Tibia (shin bone) with both hands. They will then attempt to pull the Tibia forwards, towards them. A positive result is if the Tibia moves excessively forwards.The injured knee should always be compared to the healthy knee for 'normal' movement.
Lachman's Test
The patient lies on their back with the knee flexed between 15 and 30 degrees. The practitioner grips the outside of the lower femur or thigh bone with the upper hand and the inside of the upper Tibia with the lower hand. The femur is stabilized with the upper hand as the lower hand applies an anterior force on the tibia. A positive result is found if the tibia moves excessively forward compared to the healthy knee.
As well as the tests described above, the practitioner may also test the range of motion at the joint, the strength of the surrounding muscles, and test for associated injuries such as meniscus tears.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Explained
A torn ACL is an injury or tear to the anterior cruciate ligament which is one of the four main stabilizing ligaments of the knee.
The ACL attaches to the knee end of the femur or thigh bone at the back of the joint and passes down through the knee joint to the front of the flat upper surface of the tibia or shin bone. It passes across the knee joint in a diagonal direction and with the posterior cruciate ligament passing in the opposite direction forming a cross shape, hence the name cruciate ligaments.
The role of the anterior cruciate ligament is to prevent the tibia bone from moving forwards of the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament does the reverse preventing the shin bone moving backwards. Together these two ligaments are vitally important for the stability of the knee joint, especially in contact sports and those that involve fast changes in direction.
A torn ACL usually occurs through a twisting force being applied to the knee whilst the foot is firmly planted on the ground or upon landing. A torn ACL can also result from a direct blow to the knee, usually the outside, as may occur during a football or rugby tackle. This injury is usually seen in combination with a medial meniscus tear, articular cartilage injury or medial ligament sprain.
Immediate treatment for ACL injuries
If an ACL injury or knee joint sprain of any kind is suspected then stop play or competition immediately, assuming you have a choice! Apply the PRICE principles of protection, rest, ice, compression and elevation. Applying ice and compression will help limit pain and stop bleeding and swelling. Some professional therapists at pitch side will immediately apply a compression wrap fairly tightly to prevent the knee swelling up however this should only be left on for 10 minutes at a time to avoid stopping blood flow completely and causing further injury. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Ice can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every hour for the first 24 to 48 hours although not directly against the skin. There are a number of commmercially available cold wraps which are excellent for knee joint injuries as they provide compression as well as cold at the same time. Elevating the limb will also help swelling and tissue fluids drain away from the site of injury.
What can a Professional do?
A doctor or sports injury professional is not likely to be able to do much the day after an injury. The joint is likely to be too tender and swollen to properly assess. Once the swelling has died down then a more accurate assessment and diagnosis can be done. An MRI scan can confirm the diagnosis and an X-ray eliminate an avulsion fracture where the ligament pulls a piece of bone away.
It is likely the doctor will refer for ACL surgery if required as well as advice on a pre-surgery rehabilitation program in order to strengthen the knee and reduce the swelling in preparation for surgery. This will help produce the best results following surgery.
When is ACL surgery required?
The decision whether or when to operate to reconstruct a torn anterior cruciate ligament is a controversial one. Surgery can be performed shortly after injury, a few weeks or even months after injury or not at all.
The decision of whether to operate is based on a number of factors, including the athletes age; lifestyle; sporting involvement; occupation; degree of knee instability and any other associated injuries. Older people who are less active and perhaps injured their ACL following a fall as opposed to during sport may be unlikely to undergo surgery.
A younger, fit person who regularly plays sport or needs to be active for work and would be more likely to adhere to a complex rehabilitation program is more likely to be offered surgery. Other factors include whether a meniscus repair is required or any other joint injury and the degree of instability in the knee.
After Surgery?
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