Carpenters and builders are usually quite healthy people who work hard to ensure that they do a good job. However, they can wear down their bodies in many ways and end up experiencing some injuries, such as damage to their knees. When a torn ACL occurs, it is necessary for them to not only get surgery but go through physical therapy, too.
Torn ACLs Can Be Quite Difficult to Handle
Carpenters put their bodies through a lot of strain throughout a workday, including walking up and down ladders to get on top of roofs or work on the sides of a home. When they do this, the pressure that they put on their knee may end up becoming severe, mainly if they fall or end up getting injured in another way. A torn ACL or anterior cruciate ligament might be a typical result, and one that is quite painful and hard for many to overcome.
For example, even a grade 1 ligament – a mild sprain – can cause difficulty walking up ladders, holding up boards, or performing other crucial building-related tasks. And a full grade 3 tear will make it impossible for the builder to stay on the job. Thankfully, there are many treatment methods available that can help these individuals manage their tears in a way that makes sense for them.
Physical Therapy May Help
After surgery for a torn ACL, a builder is going to need physical therapy to ensure that they can recover properly. Physical therapists can help them know when they can start putting weight on their leg again and how to control this situation in a way that doesn't cause excessive pain. For example, they can examine the builder's range of motion and pain tolerance to come up with an exercise that helps with both.
Then, as the builder's knee starts recovering, the therapist can carefully tweak the care method to ensure that it meets the needs of the builder. For example, they can focus on increasing the load-bearing capability of the knee through various strength-building exercises. These can help the builder get back to their job more quickly and also helps to minimize the risk of other issues with their knee.
Physical therapy also helps a carpenter by ensuring that they don't re-injure their knee after their recovery is over. Torn ACLs may take a year to get back to normal, so physical therapy can help to keep a carpenter from hurting themselves again while allowing them to stay at work too.
To learn more about the benefits of physical therapy, contact medical professionals in your area.