ACL Tear in Houston
ACL Tear Treatment in Houston
Has a torn ACL left you struggling with instability, buckling, or persistent pain and swelling in your knee? If so, you’re not alone – ACL tears are one of the most common knee injuries, affecting nearly 200,000 Americans each year. But there is hope. With prompt diagnosis and proper treatment from a specialized team, an ACL tear doesn’t have to mean the end of an active lifestyle. At Next Level Physical Therapy in Houston, our comprehensive ACL Tear Treatment services are designed to get you back to the activities you love, safely and reliably.
Who Can Benefit from Our ACL Tear Treatment
Our state-of-the-art ACL tear services are tailored to anyone dealing with the painful, destabilizing effects of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, including:
- Men and women with recently diagnosed ACL tears need treatment
- Athletes aiming to return to pivoting sports after an ACL reconstruction
- Individuals struggling with chronic ACL deficiencies and repeated giving way of the knee
- Patients experiencing recurrent swelling or instability years after ACL surgery
- Those needing revision ACL reconstruction due to a failed primary repair
With personalized care guided by advanced imaging and diagnostic technology, we create customized treatment plans to meet each patient’s unique needs, goals, and lifestyle.
The Impact of an ACL Tear in Houston
An estimated 80% of ACL tears occur in individuals younger than 35 – often athletes participating in pivoting sports like soccer, football, basketball, and skiing. Data suggests females suffer ACL tears at a rate 2-5 times higher than males playing the same sports.)
Beyond the acute pain and swelling caused by the initial injury, the instability resulting from ACL deficiency can have profound physical, psychological, and quality-of-life consequences. Without proper treatment, over 90% of ACL-deficient knees develop osteoarthritis within 10-20 years. Recurrent giving way episodes prompt many to scale back their activity levels out of fear of re-injury.
What Sets Our ACL Tear Treatment Apart
At Next Level Physical Therapy, we recognize every patient is unique – that’s why our orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and radiologists work together to deliver integrated, patient-centric ACL solutions, including:
Precise Diagnosis
- Detailed medical history, physical exam, and functional testing – Using advanced instruments like the KT-1000 Knee Arthrometer, our team thoroughly evaluates joint laxity and stability to quantify each tear’s severity.
- Weight-bearing X-rays and MRI – Advanced imaging provides critical data to identify associated meniscus, cartilage, and bone damage guiding surgical decision-making and rehabilitation planning.
- Evaluation of modifiable risk factors – For young athletes we screen for biomechanical, neuromuscular and training elements potentially contributing to injury risk.
Customized Treatment
- Accelerated rehabilitation protocols – Our award-winning PTs individualize progressive strengthening, agility, and plyometric programs while continually reassessing joint stability.
- Return-to-Sport testing – We objectively measure strength, balance, and movement patterns before clearing patients for safe activity resumption using advanced technology like force plates and motion analysis.
Long-term Ligament Care
- Ongoing monitoring for those opting for non-operative treatment – For individuals who forego ACL reconstruction, we craft tailored exercise programs and track outcomes over time to ensure knees remain stable.
- Rehabilitation tune-ups to prevent re-injury – Our staff provides ACL tear treatment check-ups to assess joint mechanics and fine-tune strength and conditioning for lifelong knee health.
3 Key Benefits of Our ACL Tear Treatment Services
1. Comprehensive Care
Our collaborative team of board-certified orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, radiologists, and athletic trainers work synergistically to deliver complete ACL solutions under one roof. By combining advanced imaging, precise surgical techniques, and evidence-based rehabilitation, patients benefit from coordinated care leading to faster recovery and reliably stable outcomes.
2. Reduced Re-Injury Risk
A cornerstone of our ACL treatment philosophy involves taking steps to prevent future tears and associated knee conditions like early-onset arthritis. We accomplish this through data-driven return-to-sport decision-making, ongoing movement analysis using advanced technology, tuned injury-prevention programs, and lifelong maintenance care when needed.
3. Confidence Restored
Our goal with every patient is to restore the confidence needed to fully engage in all the activities they enjoy – whether that be walking pain-free again, reliably navigating stairs, or returning to competitive basketball without worrying about the knee buckling. The treatment plans and education we provide allow nearly all of our patients to resume their normal routines.
Very professional, explanations for each step along the way. Each visit is like visiting friends. I had immediate improvement but continue to go so that I can strengthen the muscles and keep the pain from returning. Love these guys!
I have a bone spur in my right ankle, arthritis in both my knees and acute pain in both my shoulders. Needless to say how painful it was to walk and how I wobbled. My goal when I started seeing Dr. Wong was to be pain free and walk better. I have progressively achieved my goal since week two of therapy. I am amazed at how he has been solving my health problems. Highly recommend Next Level Physical Therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wondering if our ACL tear treatment services are right for you? Here are answers to some of our most commonly asked questions:
Can a torn ACL heal on its own?
While some mild or partial tears may heal without surgery, complete ACL ruptures very rarely heal on their own because of the knee’s poor blood supply. Without reconstruction, the risk of developing early knee arthritis is very high given the resultant instability.
Can you still walk with a torn ACL?
Many can walk, jog, and hike relatively normally early on because the other stabilizing ligaments help compensate. But over time, recurrent “giving way” episodes usually begin occurring during pivoting or cutting movements. These often prompt people to scale back activity over concern for knee buckling.
How long does an ACL tear take to heal?
Those electing ACL reconstructive surgery can expect a 9-12 month recovery on average to return to sports, but factors like graft choice and concomitant damage affect timelines. With non-operative treatment, dynamic stability helps many return to straightforward activities around 6 weeks, but restrictions often remain long-term.
Can you bend your knee with a torn ACL?
Early on, back-and-forth knee bending is often limited by pain, swelling, and muscle inhibition triggered by the injury. But once inflammation settles down, most regain normal knee flexion – the bigger limitation comes with rotational stability needed for pivoting sports. Proper rehab aims to re-establish this control.
Unsure if your symptoms warrant seeing a specialist? Call us today at {phone_number} for a free 15-minute consultation.
Meet Next Level Physical Therapy’s ACL Treatment Team: Next Level Physical Therapy’s multidisciplinary ACL tear experts leverage decades of combined experience and the latest medical advancements to deliver exceptional care and optimal outcomes.
Dr. Jorgeson Lucero, PT, DPT
A licensed physical therapist with experience helping patients through ACL injuries, they are well-trained and equipped to help with your condition.
About The Author
Jack Wong, a licensed physical therapist with experience in ACL tear rehab, puts patients at the forefront of their care. With years of experience, they guide individuals toward achieving their best selves. At Next Level Physical Therapy in Houston, Jack Wong crafts individualized plans using cutting-edge techniques, empowering patients to overcome limitations and thrive.
Ready to Get Started Today?
To learn more about our team or ACL treatment services, call us or book an appointment online to take the first step toward confidently resuming activity. We look forward to connecting and helping you on your journey to better health.