Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears typically occur due to the rapid movements involved in sports such as football, soccer, or basketball. This type of knee injury is a common consequence of an active lifestyle — 100,000-200,000 torn ACLs occur in the United States every year.
The board-certified doctors at LA Orthopaedic Specialists diagnose your knee injury and offer customized treatment plans to relieve pain and restore function after a torn ACL. Surgery is often, but not always, necessary.
Depending on the severity of your injury, a combination of rest, physical therapy, and/or an assistive device can allow the ligament to heal on its own. Here’s more about ACL tears, and when nonsurgical options may be appropriate.
What happens when you tear your ACL?
The ACL is a vital part of your knee joint. It ensures stability by connecting the femur to the tibia. Extreme force or abrupt rotational movements can increase your risk of an ACL tear, causing pain and a decrease in overall knee mobility.
ACL injuries most commonly occur in sports that require sudden directional shifts or direct impact to the knee. Athletes in basketball, soccer, football, and skiing are especially susceptible to ACL tears.
If you’re at risk, it’s crucial to recognize the symptoms of an ACL injury. Signs include:
- An audible popping noise or sensation at the moment of injury
- Intense pain
- Swelling
- Feelings of instability in the knee joint
- Difficulty or inability to bear weight on the affected leg
Does my ACL tear require surgery?
When we evaluate your need for surgery, we consider several factors, including:
Degree of injury
The severity of your ACL tear has the most impact on whether it’s able to heal on its own. We measure the extent of your injury in grades, from one (least severe) to three (most severe).
In grade one and two injuries, the ligament stretches enough to loosen or tear slightly, but is still in one piece. Grade three indicates a complete tear that leaves your ACL in two pieces. Complete tears generally require surgical repair to restore knee stability.
Combined injuries
Approximately half of ACL injuries are accompanied by other knee trauma, such as collateral ligament damage or meniscus tears. The smooth cartilage surrounding the bones in your knee (articular cartilage) may also sustain damage.
Surgery is typically recommended when an ACL tear is combined with another knee injury.
Your injury’s impact on your life
We also consider how your ACL injury affects your function in everyday life and overall stability. If your injury limits your movement and holds you back from the activities you love, surgery may be the preferred option.
Our primary goal is to restore the stability of your knee and enhance your quality of life. While surgical reconstruction may be the best option for athletes and very active individuals, those who have less active lifestyles may choose to explore nonsurgical options.
ACL recovery without surgery
The majority of patients who have partial ACL tears can recover without surgical intervention. Recovery can take 6-9 months. However, rushing the healing process increases the risk of making a small tear worse.
A knee brace and/or crutches help to keep your knee stable through the early stages of recovery. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections promote fast, efficient healing. After 1-2 weeks or after the swelling has gone down, you may begin physical therapy.
Physical therapy for an ACL injury improves your ability to extend and flex your knee, and strengthens the surrounding muscles. With nonsurgical treatment, we aim to preserve the strength of the muscles around the knee joint and maximize stability.
Consult a specialist
At LA Orthopaedic Specialists, our team provides the information and guidance you need to make an educated decision about your ACL injury. For a comprehensive consultation, call or click to make an appointment at our Downtown Los Angeles office.