The aging process usually leads to decreased output of synovial substance in joints. Furthermore, the articular cartilage gets thinner with each passing year and suspensory ligaments shorten and shed some of their flexibility. Anterior cruciate ligament injury differs substantially from one individual to another, and is usually subject to genetics and also damage. Despite the fact that degenerative alterations in joints may begin in men and women as young as 20 years of age, most do not occur until later. In fact, by age 80, almost everyone develops some type of acl injury.

Guys likewise commonly develop acl injury caused by bad posture, insufficient exercise and most of all, obesity. Actually, women have the same if not bigger chances of becoming at risk for anterior cruciate ligament injury compared to men, particularly those women who have weak muscle control, coordination and equilibrium. Furthermore, ladies who lead an inactive lifestyle often have much less hip as well as knee flexion, the range of movement becomes reduced and because of these, the leg muscles gets fragile and finally, degenerative changes takes hold rather early.

Joint mobility may be also be influenced by hormones as they are those in charge of keeping the flexibility of the fibro-cartilage. Post-menopausal women may also be more prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury since the hormones maintaining the flexibility of the ligaments are reduced or missing.

Disuse of joint could also contribute to limitation of movement in old people suffering from anterior cruciate ligament traumas. Since older people usually favor movements which do not cause too much agony or soreness, extented disuse of a part of the body might result in limited movement because of diminished quantity of synovial fluid, lessened flexibility of ligaments as well as muscles, and from muscle atrophy. It is apparent in observed decrease in size or wasting away of a part of the body or of its muscle tissue.

Medical professionals usually suggest a series of treatment for old people struggling with acl injury which range from the simplest which is walking, moving around to release the rigidity of the muscle, down to the more serious cases that warrants surgery. Observance of a proper diet low in uric acid, plus a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fats and vegetables, added with a daily dose of vitamin rich food to maintain the nerve tissues is also recommended to prevent deficiencies and so as not to complicate the injury some more.

That is not to express that a healthy and a happy outlook in life goes quite a distance for old folks. After all, a minor immobilization due to anterior cruciate ligament injury should not be considered a overall disaster for an old person who looks forward to having a quality life, despite old age.



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