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Health & Wellness • N E W S L E T T E R • ACL Tears: One of the Most Commonly Occurring Sports Injuries

Do you ever experience instability or a feeling of your knee giving out on you? Have you had continual severe pain and instability of your kneewith weight bearing activities? Has your knee ever popped loudly during activity? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may have suffered an ACL tear. The ACL, or the anterior cruciate ligament, connects your femur (thigh bone) to your tibia (shin bone). This ligament is one of 4 ligaments responsible for stabilizing your knee joint during weight bearing activities. Most ACL injuries occur during sports and fitness activities that place added stress on the knee joint. Athletes who participate in high-demand (or high-contact) sports such as football, basketball and soccer are at a higher risk of experiencing an ACL tear due the stresses placed on the knee during participation in these sports. Most ACL injuries occur with a direct blow to the knee, such as a tackle during football; landing incorrectly after jumping, such as descending from a jump shot in basketball; and suddenly cutting and changing direction, such as pivoting with your foot firmly planted on the ground in soccer or basketball.

Risk Factors for ACL Injuries Females are 5 times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than males. This is due to their broader pelvic structure, which results in their knees being more turned in toward the mid-line of the body. Female athletes also have a tendency to land from a jump with less bend in their knees, causing the knees to lock out. This increases stress on the knee joint as well as the ligaments supporting the joint. Females also have a tendency to have a greater strength imbalance between their quadriceps (muscles in the front of the thigh responsible for extending your knee) and their hamstrings (muscles in the back of the knee responsible for bending your knee). When the quadriceps are stronger than the hamstrings, the knees can hyperextend in weight- bearing positions, increasing the risk of an ACL injury. Management of ACL Injuries Conservative, non-operative treatment, such as physical therapy, is an option for ACL sprains. In an ACL sprain, the ligament is overstretched but is not completely torn. A stringent physical therapy

s t r eng t h en i ng and stabilization plan can also benefit those with partial ACL tears; athletes who participate in lower intensity sports, (those that do not involve running, jumping, and pivoting). Elderly patients or young adolescents who may not be strong candidates for surgery due to age-related healing complications will also benefit from a physical therapy strengthening and stabilization program. When cons e r vat i ve

necessary to get you back on the field, track or court. At Loudoun Sports Therapy Center, our hands- on physical therapists and athletic trainers have advanced training to ensure you’ll be able to return to your favorite sport following an ACL injury, whether or not surgical intervention is necessary. If you have had any of the previously mentioned symptoms and suspect an ACL injury, call our experts today and we’ll get you on the road to recovery.

treatment is not successful or when there is a complete tear of the ACL, surgical intervention is recommended to repair the damaged ligament. The standard surgical repair involves a graft of the patellar tendon located in the front of the kneecap, which has been proven to be the strongest, most effective ACL reconstruction method for long-term results. Following ACL repair surgery, extensive physical therapy is necessary for regaining range of motion and strength in the muscles surrounding the knee joint. Additional functional return-to-sport training will be

By Kate Zanoni, PTA

What is our purpose? What is our purpose? At LSTC we are always striving to make improvements, adding staff, starting new programs, and even making more information available to our patients and the community. But one thing hasn’t changed and it never will: our strong purpose in helping others. Mike and I have always put patient care first and we continue this by only hiring teammemberswho have this same purpose. Ensuring that you get the care you need is of utmost importance to us here at LSTC. We strive daily to make improvements in our care, our services, and even our training.

your care with us. At the end of the day, I can say with certainty that each and every patient is extremely important to us. Helping youmeet your goals and providing a welcoming environment for your care should be the norm at all provider’s offices. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case. Please know, that nomatter what other changes may occur here at LSTC, we will ensure that you get the care you need and deserve. Wishing you well today and always, Dee

Our front office members work to make you feel welcome and answer your questions so you start off on the right track. We not only offer a highly skilled clinical team, but they were each hired for their strong interest in helping others; their desire to give back. Several years ago we developed a patient rep position, which Sarah currently holds. The patient rep’s main purpose is to make sure that you are happy with the care that you are receiving, that our clinicians are working with you toward your goals, and that you stay informed about LSTC’s offerings even after you’ve finished

21251 Ridgetop Circle Suite #140, Sterling, VA 20166 www.LoudounSportsTherapy.com 703-450-4300

Our Pat ient Spot l ight

I feel so much better! “I am a dancer and I’ve been having a hard time turning and jumping. It turned out that I had micro tears in my tendons. Loudoun Sports Therapy Center helped me stretch my tendons andmake my legs stronger. I feel somuch better andmy dancing has improved so much. Now I’m off to Philadelphia for a ballet intensive and I know I’ll do great thanks to Loudoun Sports Therapy Center and their amazing staff.” Emre came to Loudoun Sports Therapy Center because of pain in both of his knees. As a dancer, this impacted his ability to perform. He worked hard, completed his plan of care with LSTC and is back to dancing pain free and setting his sights on Broadway!

Pat ient Resul ts

I feel 10 times better! “Before I came here I had trouble playing soccer, running and playing basketball. It hurt to go up stairs. Now I feel somuch better playing soccer, running, going up stairs and playing basketball. All the therapists were amazing, nice and kind. I feel 10 times better. Loudoun Sports Therapy Center was very kind to me and I recommend coming here.” ~ KRISTEN

100% turn around! “From the moment I walked through the door at LSTC I was greeted each time with a friendly help and a smile by everyone. I started here prior to a total knee replacement - preparing for surgery. I have made a 100% turn around. I feel somuch better when I walk, ride a bike and all my other daily activities. All of the therapists and physical trainers pushed me to my limits and I thank each

Back on the dance floor! “I sprained my knee while dancing and was unable to do my everyday activities without knee pain. During therapy, I gained knee strength, knee stability and increased my range of motion. Now, I amable to get back on the dance floor and perform salsa, bachata, meringue and reggae.” ~ ALFONSO C.

and every one!!!” ~ LEIGH ANNE D.

You too can have success with physical therapy! Call now to schedule!

21251 Ridgetop Circle Suite #140, Sterling, VA 20166 www.LoudounSportsTherapy.com 703-450-4300

Ask your question by posting it on our Facebook or twitter page. • Q: I have Type 1 Diabetes and want to start a work out routine. Is there anything I should be aware of before I start to exercise? Ask a PT: Have a question about physical therapy, an injury or a pain you’re feeling? Clinic News What’s happening at LSTC...

How to choose an insurance plan that is best for you.. Some of the questions to ask yourself while looking for a new plan: What is most important to me regarding my next insurance plan? •Would I rather have low

• A: In general, exercise lowers blood glucose levels. When muscles contract during exercise, glucose is taken up by cells in your body to use for energy. The effect depends on how long you exercise as glucose levels are lowered for twenty four hours or more after exercise. With Type 1 Diabetes, hypoglycemia is a concern, so be ready to treat this when you exercise. Have a sports drink or glucose tabs ready if you experience low blood sugar. You should then wait up to 20mins and recheck your glucose levels. Be sure to eat regular meals and snacks after exercise to keep your glucose levels up! Remember to ‘LIKE’ us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ LoudounSportsTherapyCenter for the latest LSTC news, health tips, workshop information and more! Don’t ‘FALL’ into lower back pain injuries

monthly premium payments and a high deductible or am I willing to pay a higher premium to have a lower deductible and lower office visit copay? • Does anyone onmy plan have health issues that may result inmonthly office visits, and if so, will the plan cover it? • Is my physician in-network with this plan? • Does the plan offer out-of-network benefits? •Will authorization be required to see specialists? • I take a certain medication, how will it be covered under this plan? • If needed, are there maternity benefits for this plan? • If needed, what happens if I need care while traveling abroad? When looking for a healthcare plan: • Find your market place: your employer or via the web. Note, while using an agent may increase your premium, one benefit is that they can shop for the best plan for you that meets your needs. • Compare different types of insurance plans. Depending on your needs, there are many different plans available. • Compare the networks available from each company: PPO, HMO, EPO, and POS in-network benefits. Each of these has specific benefits but they will also have specific requirements when seeking care. • Compare out of pocket costs for each plan you’re interested in. Make sure you get the details on what is and is not covered on each plan. • Compare at least 3 different plans to find the one with the best benefits for you. • Consider an HSA plan - Health Savings Account plans offer you the opportunity to save for times when you need more care. They transfer over from year to year AND if you change plans or jobs you can take the HSA with you and use it for your healthcare.

Raking leaves is often a common cause of lower back pain and injuries this time of year. However, they can be easily prevented if you use correct body mechanics. Try these tips while you’re tidying up your yard:

1. Choose a Rake that Works with Your Body • A rake that has an adjustable handle will minimize your need to bend. • Avoid keeping your knees straight and arching your back. 2. Use Proper Lifting Techniques • Keep your body square toward the pile of leaves you plan to gather. • Bend your knees and hips so you’re not relying on your lower back to do all the work. Lift with your leg muscles and keep your back straight. • Keep the pile of leaves close to your body. Do not reach too far or twist your back to reach leaves in a new location. 3. Take Your Time • Rake small amounts of leaves and take breaks. This will help reduce stress on your lower back and help prevent arm and shoulder strain. • Use your break time to stretch out your arms and shoulders before starting on the next pile of leaves.

21251 Ridgetop Circle Suite #140, Sterling, VA 20166 www.LoudounSportsTherapy.com 703-450-4300

21251 Ridgetop Circle Suite #140 Sterling, VA 20166 703-450-4300 www.LoudounSportsTherapy.com

Outpatient Physical Therapy Specializing In: Lower Back Pain • Neck Pain • Sciatica • Hip Problems • Shoulder Pain • Bursitis • Tendonitis • Frozen Shoulder Joint Pain and Replacements • Foot and Ankle Pain • Plantar Fasciitis • Knee Problems • Arthritis • Muscle Pains Sprains • Strains • Hand and Elbow Problems • Sports Injuries • Concussion Management Program Sports Performance Program • Return to Sport Program • Balance and Vestibular Problems • Other Conditions