Torn ACL

If you experienced an ACL tear, you can expect to exhibit at least some of these symptoms:

• Hearing or feeling a “pop” during contact, cutting, pivoting, stopping, or landing during an activity.
• Swelling in the knee within a few hours after the injury.
• The knee feeling warm to the touch due to bleeding in the joint.
• Intense pain making walking and weight-bearing activities more difficult.
• Knee instability—feeling like the knee will “give out” when walking or pivoting.
• Decreased range of motion in the knee, especially while trying to straighten it.

These symptoms typically occur right after a torn ACL and can be traced back to a specific movement or trauma. This helps rule out other conditions such as knee osteoarthritis.

In addition, other ligaments of the knee could be damaged during an ACL injury. This may cause additional symptoms like knee locking.

Even without treatment, the pain and swelling can gradually go away after several weeks. Unfortunately, knee instability usually persists. This may make it difficult to walk, stand, climb stairs, and participate in physical activities.

Diagnosing A Knee Injury

Doctors or orthopedic surgeons can usually diagnose an ACL injury by interviewing the patient and performing a physical exam. The doctor will ask you to describe your pain, when it started, and how it’s affecting your lifestyle.

From there, the doctor conducts a physical exam to check for any tenderness, swelling, lost range of motion, or points of pain. The doctor often compares the differences in your injured knee to the healthy one.

In many cases, the doctor performs the Lachman test to diagnose ACL tears. During this test, the patient lies on his or her back, relaxing the affected leg. The doctor will bend the injured leg and gently pull forward on the calf. This helps to determine the location of the injury by assessing the “endpoint” of leg movement.

Doctors may also prescribe diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or MRIs. These tests also help to confirm an ACL tear and rule out other causes.

Types of ACL Injuries

A doctor can assess the severity of your injury during a physical examination and diagnostic imaging. There are three classifications of anterior cruciate ligament injuries based on the damage observed. These include:

• Grade I Sprain: When stretching or micro-tearing occur in the ACL, but not enough to significantly impact the joint or ligament. These sprains can be treated with conservative treatments.
• Grade II Sprain: Known as an incomplete tear, this occurs when some tearing and separation of the ligament is evident. The knee joint shows some instability and may require surgery depending on the person’s activity level and symptoms.
• Grade III Sprain: Considered a complete tear when the ligament fibers are ruptured. The joint is very unstable and usually requires surgery. This is especially true for young, active people who eventually want to return to their favorite sports.

Unfortunately, in many cases, ACL injuries are a complete tear requiring an orthopedic surgeon’s care.

Preventing ACL Injuries

While it is impossible to completely prevent a torn ACL, there are some things you can do to protect your knee during sports.

• Consult with a physical therapist or another professional in sports medicine to assess your movements and any weak muscle areas. A simple consultation can provide instruction to reduce the risks of an injury.
• Perform exercises to strengthen the hamstrings and other leg muscles. This helps with balance and knee strength.
• Provide additional stability to the body by keeping your core strong. This means exercising the muscles of the lower abdomen, hips, and pelvis.
• Train for your favorite activity by using the best techniques for landing, pivoting, and cutting to create good habits.
• Make sure you thoroughly stretch your legs before and after any athletic activity.
• Use appropriate protective gear and footwear for your chosen sport.

After a doctor or orthopedic surgeon determines the severity of the ACL injury, there are two main treatments used to help repair the damage and restore stability to the knee.

Nonsurgical Treatment

Doctors prescribe nonsurgical treatments in less severe cases. You may be a good candidate for nonsurgical treatment if you have:

• An incomplete tear and no knee instability.
• A complete tear without knee instability and are willing to give up high-intensity sports or activities.
• An inactive lifestyle.
• Growth plates still open—this is the case for children.

Nonsurgical treatments involve progressive physical therapy and rehabilitation. This helps the knee to regain stability and return to an almost normal state. Some may benefit from a hinged knee brace to maintain stability and prevent further injury.

Many people who choose not to get surgery may be at risk for additional knee injuries depending on their lifestyles.

Surgical Treatment

In many cases, knee surgery is recommended for a torn ACL. Instead of suturing the damaged ligament, which isn’t very effective for complete recovery, the surgeon replaces it with a segment of another tendon.

The surgery begins with a small incision at the knee. The surgeon uses a tiny camera to view the joint on a nearby screen—known as a knee arthroscopy.

During ACL reconstruction, the surgeon removes the damaged ligament. Then he completes a tendon autograft. This procedure uses a muscle tendon from another area of the body, such as the patellar tendon, as a replacement for the ACL. The surgeon will drill small sockets into you shin and thighbone to help position the graft. It is then held in place with screws or other equipment.

In most cases, you can go home the same day after recovering from the anesthesia. The orthopedic surgeon provides detailed instructions on how to protect and care for your knee.

Recovery Time

Although the surgery is minimally invasive, it often requires a long recovery period for the best outcomes. After the surgery, you will feel some pain. This is completely normal and part of the healing process. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage the pain.

Expect four to seven months of physical therapy to increase range of motion, strength, and stability. In addition, completing prescribed exercises at home is also helpful.

Make sure you follow through with all the prescribed therapy for a quicker recovery time and less chance of re-injuring the area. Many athletes can expect to return to their favorite sports in eight to twelve months.

Finding Treatment for Your Torn ACL

If you’re motivated to get back to your favorite sports and activities even quicker, NJ Spine & Orthopedic can help. We use state-of-the-art equipment to make smaller incisions and operate with better precision. This means you can enjoy shorter recovery times and longer lasting results.

Schedule a consultation today. Our experienced orthopedic surgeons will listen to you and address any questions and concerns. If you have any previous MRIs, we will review them for free. We know you want to get back to doing what you love, so let NJ Spine & Orthopedic help you!