Will I gain my balance back after knee surgery for torn ACL?

I tore my ACL playing basketball, and I’m having surgery to reconstruct the ligament. Can I expect to get my balance back? 
The outlook is good. Researchers recently observed patients who had ACL surgery followed by five weeks of wearing either a cast or a brace. Patients also had six to eight months of therapy to get their agility and strength back. Three years after surgery, these patients did as well on tests of balance as people who didn’t have ACL problems. Patients who had ACL surgery had slightly slower reaction times, but in general their balance was just as good.Ask your doctor or physical therapist about ways to manage your knee after surgery to ensure a full recovery.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com 

Can a stretching program lower the chances that my elderly mother will fall?

There is evidence that limitations in hip flexibility could impair walking ability in the elderly. This increases the risk of falling. As you walk, the hip extends in the back leg. A new study showed that the hip joint doesn’t extend as far back in the elderly as in younger people. Elderly people at a high risk for falls showed even less hip extension.

So a stretching program that helps improve hip extension could potentially help elderly people avoid falling–and the pain and hospital stays that falling can cause. Before starting any form of treatment, your mother should talk to her doctor. She also needs to address any other problems that may put her at risk for falling. These can include balance, strength, or vision problems.

The information contained herein is compiled from a variety of sources. It may not be complete or timely. It does not cover all diseases, physical conditions, ailments or treatments. The information should NOT be used in place of visit with your healthcare provider, nor should you disregard the advice of your health care provider because of any information you read in this topic. For more information on this subject, visit www.zehrcenter.com