ACL injuries and tears are unfortunately a fairly common injury to athletes and the general public ages often ranging from approximately 13-50 years old. Non-contact ACL sprains or tears may occur due to stress to the knee produced by decreased body mechanics and awareness that contribute to excessive lateral to medial, rotation or hyperextension forces to the knee and lower leg. These could be sustained in accidents while skiing, playing volleyball, basketball, gymnastics and running. ACL sprains and injuries sustained from contact sports occur due to impacts to the lower leg sustained during sports such as soccer, football, hockey and other competitive and recreational sports. At Alaska Physical Therapy Specialists, your first visit will include a full assessment of your body mechanics and awareness, an evaluation of the alignment of the knee during functional movements including, squatting, single leg balance and proprioception activities, jumping and landing mechanics as well as an overall trunk and lower quarter strength examination. We will develop a home and/or gym exercise program specifically for you based on our evaluation to improve your lower quarter and trunk mechanics, strength, endurance, balance and overall stability to reduce the incidence or even re-occurrence of an ACL injury.