The cruciate ligament is located in the knee and helps hold the knee bones together. The knee is an important part of the body, allowing you to be steady, walk, jog, run, bike, sit, and squat. When the knee is injured, it can severely impair everyday mobility. Several exercises can help rehabilitate the cruciate ligament after it has healed.
Cruciate Ligament
There are two cruciate ligaments. One is the posterior cruciate ligament and the other is the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. Signs of a posterior cruciate ligament injury are pain in the knee, inflammation, and soreness, and pain when bending the knee. You may also experience the knee giving way during certain activities. To treat a posterior rupture, ice the injury and elevate the knee. Allow the ligament to heal by staying off it and then wrap the knee in a compress to keep it from moving accidentally. An anterior cruciate ligament is more serious. You will be able to tell if you have ruptured your ACL if you hear a "pop" sound and then experience immediate swelling and are unable to carry weight on the knee. When the ACL is torn, keep swelling down by using ice and elevating the leg. Medical attention is needed for an ACL tear and surgery is usually required.
Exercises
Exercise does amazing things for the body -- it improves circulation, increases strength, enhances mobility, and improves flexibility. Exercises that help improve knee strength aid function and build up muscles in the calves, ankles, hamstrings, and quads. Types of exercise include running with a buoyancy belt or vest in a swimming pool, walking, light jogging, lunges, riding a stationary bike, or doing squats. Before starting any exercise plan, it is important to get your physical therapist or doctor's approval. Every injury is different and it is essential that the injury gets proper time to heal. If the knee is still weak, it would be a good idea to wear a knee brace. If pain develops, stop exercising, rest the knee and ice it. It is also important to warm up before exercising by lightly jogging, or walking, then following the warmup with stretching. After exercising, try to do a cooldown followed by more stretches.
Tags: cruciate ligament, cruciate ligament, anterior cruciate, anterior cruciate ligament, knee also, posterior cruciate