The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four major ligaments in
the knee joint. It helps maintain the knee’s rotational stability
and prevents the tibia (shinbone) from slipping in front of the femur
(thighbone). An ACL injury is either a tear or sprain. An ACL tear can
be either a complete tear or partial tear. ACL injuries occur when the
knee is hyperextended. These are common among athletes whose sports involve
sudden changes in direction, pivoting, jumping, and landing. Such physical
activities commonly include soccer, basketball, football, and downhill
skiing. Severe ACL tears generally require surgery to repair.
What’s the difference between an ACL Sprain and an ACL Tear?
An ACL sprain occurs when excessive force or a sudden movement causes the
fibers or threads of the ligament to stretch, partially tear or in severe
cases, completely rupture. ACL sprains are painful and graded on their
severity with grades 1-3. A grade 1 sprain is the least severe, while
a grade 3 is a complete rupture.
An ACL tear is when the anterior cruciate ligament is torn, either partial
or a full tear. With an ACL tear you will feel severe pain, frequent popping
noise, loss of range of motion in the affected knee followed by the sudden
onset of swelling. As swelling progresses, it may become more difficult
to bend or straighten the knee or place any weight on the affected leg
so their leg doesn’t give way. Once you sustain an ACL tear, it’s
important to administer prompt first-aid care to reduce acute pain and
swelling. You should see an orthopedic knee surgeon right way, but in
the meantime, make sure you practice the “RICE” method as
soon as possible: rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Diagnosis
A clinical exam involving moving the knee in a variety of positions to
assess range of motion and overall function of the knee joint will be
performed by your knee surgeon. They will also check your knee for swelling
and tenderness – comparing it to your non-injured knee. Your doctor
may also order imaging tests like X-rays, MRI and ultrasound imaging to
rule out other causes, such as a
meniscus tear and to determine the severity of the injury.
Treatment Options for ACL Tears
Surgery is not necessary for all patients. A young athlete will most likely
require surgery to safely return to sports. However, a less active, older
patient may be able to return to a quieter lifestyle without surgery.
Nonsurgical Treatments for ACL Tears
Bracing: A brace can protect your knee from instability. You may be given crutches
to keep from putting your full weight on your injured leg.
Physical therapy: Specific exercises can help to restore function to your knee and strengthen
the muscles that support it. However, PT can only begin once swelling
has gone down.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery
To surgically repair the ACL and restore function to the knee joint, the
ligament must be reconstructed. Your knee surgeon will replace your torn
ligament with a tissue graft taken from another part of your knee or from
a cadaver. This graft acts as a scaffolding for a new ligament to grow on.
ACL reconstruction surgery is generally scheduled three to six weeks after the injury occurs to ensure
swelling and inflammation have subsided. ACL reconstruction is a minimally
invasive procedure outpatient procedure that is done arthroscopically.
Recovery from ACL Surgery
During recovery, physical therapy is necessary to improve range of motion,
gait, and function. It usually takes six to nine months for a patient
to return to participating in sports after ACL reconstruction, depending
on the type of activity. Make sure you discuss when you can return to
your sports and activities with your
orthopedic knee surgeon.
Trust the Knee Surgeons at Newport Orthopedic Institute
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained Orange County knee surgeons are
skilled at treating ACL injuries. Your knee surgeon will create a custom
treatment plan to help you get back to doing the activities you enjoy.
Do you have an ACL injury in Orange County?
Call Newport Orthopedic Institute at (949) 722-7038.
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