Basketball is an exciting and demanding sport that requires a great deal of physical strength, endurance, and agility. Unfortunately, injuries can occur, and one of the most common injuries among basketball players, especially in young athletes, is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The ACL is a crucial ligament that stabilises the knee joint and controls the forward movement of the shin bone. With the help of a sports physiotherapist, athletes can recover from ACL injuries and return to the court stronger than ever (Feller, J. A., Webster, K. E., Taylor, N. F., Payne, R., & Pizzari, T. (2004). 

There are two main approaches to ACL injury treatment: operative and conservative. Operative treatment involves surgery to repair or reconstruct the torn ACL, while conservative treatment focuses on rehabilitation exercises and physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee joint and provide a plan on implementing speed, agility and power back into the individual's training. 

In the case of operative treatment, a sports physiotherapist can work closely with the athlete's surgeon to develop a rehabilitation plan that is tailored to the athlete's specific needs. The physiotherapist will provide guidance on when to start rehabilitation exercises, which exercises are appropriate, and how to progress through the different stages of rehabilitation. The physiotherapist will also monitor the athlete's progress and adjust the rehabilitation plan as needed.

In the case of conservative treatment, a sports physiotherapist will develop a rehabilitation plan that is focused on strengthening the muscles around the knee joint and improving the athlete's balance and coordination. The physiotherapist will work with the athlete to design an exercise program that gradually increases in intensity and complexity as the athlete's strength and range of motion improve. The goal of this approach is to allow the athlete to return to basketball without surgery, although this approach may not be appropriate for all athletes.

Hoops Physio is a specialised sports physiotherapy clinic that is dedicated to helping basketball players recover from injuries and improve their performance on the court. We offer a wide range of services that are tailored to the needs of both junior and adult athletes, including ACL injury treatment. Our team of experienced sports physiotherapists, work with their patients to develop a personalised treatment plan that is focused on their individual needs and goals. We also use the latest equipment and techniques to ensure that athletes receive the most effective treatment possible. Having access to Hoop City’s performance gym, where Melbourne United train, allows our physios to provide high quality strength and conditioning programs to return you to play bigger, better, faster and stronger than before. 

If you have any questions about your ACL rupture, our physios are more than happy to take your enquiries to ensure you receive the best treatment available.

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