ACL Injury: Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation

Why ACL Injuries Happen

Sports at Risk: Football, basketball, badminton, and cricket—popular across Bengaluru—feature sudden stops, direction changes, and jump-landings that strain the ACL.

Demographics: Young adults and teens, especially females, are most at risk due to biomechanics and development patterns.

Mechanics of Non-Contact Tears: Contrary to belief, most ACL ruptures don’t involve collisions, but awkward landings, pivots, and decelerations on the field.

Prevention: Building Smart Knees

Neuromuscular Training: Programs like FIFA 11+ use balance, plyometric, and strength drills to “teach” knees safe mechanics, reducing non-contact ACL injuries by up to 67%.

Strength and Symmetry: Gym routines focusing on hamstrings, quads, core, and hips build joint stability, lowering risk during competitive play.

Sport-Specific Coaching: At 5 Sports Health, Dr. Pooja Jhade’s physiotherapy team corrects faulty movement patterns and builds safe mechanics early, especially in adolescent athletes.

Treatment and Rehabilitation

Immediate Steps: Early control of swelling, pain, and range of motion sets the stage for recovery. Surgery may be recommended in high-demand athletes.

Specialized Physio: Under Dr. Pooja Jhade, rehab is goal-driven—first milestones include restoring full extension, activating quads, and walking without a limp.

Partial ACL Tears: Regenerative therapies such as PRP and stem cell treatment can aid healing in partial tears, reducing downtime.

ACL Reconstruction Surgery: When surgery is needed, Dr. Nataraj H M’s expertise in ACL reconstruction delivers precise, minimally invasive procedures that restore knee stability and help athletes return to peak performance.

Structured Rehabilitation: Every surgery is followed by an athlete-specific rehab program led by Dr. Pooja Jhade, ensuring complete recovery. Together, Dr. Nataraj’s precision surgery and Dr. Pooja’s rehabilitation protocols mean athletes don’t just recover—they return stronger than before.

Criterion-Based Progression: Instead of arbitrary timelines, return-to-sport decisions are guided by objective tests: single-leg hops, quad strength measures, and psychological readiness.

Mental Resilience and Return-to-Play

Psychological Support: Long rehabs test mental strength. 5 Sports Health integrates counseling and confidence-building support for athletes and families.

Gradual Re-entry: Rejoining sport happens step by step—from drills, to controlled contact, to full competitive play—always under therapist supervision with regular reviews.

ACL injuries are intimidating, but they are not career-ending. With Dr. Nataraj H M’s surgical expertise and Dr. Pooja Jhade’s rehabilitation mastery, supported by evidence-based protocols, a safe and confident return to sport is achievable.

Book your ACL prevention assessment or injury consult at 5 Sports Health today—and safeguard your knees for the long run.