Athletes who play football, soccer, and other fast-paced sports that require quick direction changes are particularly vulnerable to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.
But other seemingly innocent actions, such as slowing down while running, changing direction when walking, or striking your knee when you fall, can cause an ACL tear.
So, what’s the best treatment for an ACL tear, and do you really need surgery?
Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained sports medicine physician Dr. Sumit Dewanjee at FXRX in Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona, specializes in diagnosing and treating orthopedic injuries, including ACL tears.
Read these insights from Dr. Dewanjee and his team regarding ACL surgery and whether you really need it.
The ACL is one of two cruciate (posterior and anterior) ligaments within the knee joint. They work together to maintain knee stability, forming an “X” that attaches the shinbone (tibia) to the thigh bone (femur).
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sits at the back of the knee, while the ACL runs diagonally across the front. The ACL keeps the shinbone from moving in front of the thigh bone or twisting excessively when you stand, walk, run, or jump.
The ACL is more vulnerable to tears than the PCL. Symptoms of an ACL tear may include a popping noise and knee pain, weakness, or instability at the time of injury.
Knee swelling generally occurs within 24 hours. The pain and swelling may resolve within a few days with rest. But depending on the type of tear, returning to sports or other activities without treatment can further damage the knee joint.
We grade ACL tears based on severity, and most are complete tears, or nearly so. The types of tears include:
The ligament is slightly stretched, but the knee remains stable.
Often called a “partial tear,” a Grade 2 sprain stretches and loosens the ligament, causing moderate knee instability.
This is a complete or nearly complete tear, where the ligament splits in two or pulls away from the bone, causing significant knee instability.
Whether Dr. Dewanjee recommends surgery depends on several factors:
You may respond sufficiently to physical therapy and orthopedic bracing with a Grade 1 or mild Grade 2 tear.
But a Grade 3 tear causes significant knee instability, making ambulation essentially impossible without bracing and other assistive devices.
Additionally, a Grade 3 tear cannot heal on its own. Thus, surgery is often the best option in this case for restoring full function and preventing further joint damage.
If you’re an athlete or otherwise physically active, Dr. Dwanjee will likely recommend ACL reconstruction surgery to ensure knee stability and prevent further joint damage.
Those who have a mild tear, who are less active, or who don’t engage in high-impact sports may regain strength and stability through rehabilitation exercises and a knee brace.
Dr. Dewanjee may recommend surgery for younger individuals since they are more likely to desire or maintain an active lifestyle. If age or health conditions make surgery riskier, nonsurgical treatment might appeal more.
Dr. Dewanjee offers the most advanced knee treatments available, including ACL reconstruction surgery.
This minimally invasive procedure involves replacing the torn ligament with a tendon graft. Recovery times and rehab strategies vary, but most of our patients successfully return to their pre-injury activity level within 6-12 months.
Schedule a visit with Dr. Dewanjee at FXRX Inc. today by calling us or requesting an appointment online.
