While ACL tears are associated with athletes, they can happen to just about anyone. Age, gender, and activity level are variables that may increase your risk of tearing your ACL. Suddenly stopping or changing directions are among the leading causes of ACL tears, explaining the higher rate of injury in sports like football, soccer, and basketball. If you suffer an ACL tear, it may limit your everyday lifestyle, but it doesn’t require you to put your entire life on hold.
What Is an ACL?
The ACL or, anterior cruciate ligament, is located at the back of the patella (knee cap), and assists knee rotation and stability.
ACL injuries are divided into three different grades:
Grade I:
The ligament has suffered sprain, but there is no tear.
Grade II:
The ligament has suffered more damage than a sprain and is partially torn.
Grade III:
The ligament has suffered severe damage and is completely torn.
Signs of an ACL Tear
If you hear or feel a pop in your knee during sudden movements, you may have torn your ACL. Usually, there will be some swelling, as well. Due to weakness and instability in your knees, you may have trouble walking after tearing your ACL.
Treatments
Your physician will provide treatment based on the severity of your ACL tear. Immediately following your injury, it is recommended to use R.I.C.E, or Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. You can expect to wear a brace or use crutches for stability.
Physical Therapy
Depending on your activity level and the severity of your injury, your physician may recommend physical therapy. Your physical therapist will help you restore strength and knee stability. In many cases, patients can return to light sports and activities following physical therapy.
Surgery
Your ACL tear may require surgery if:
- You are an athlete
- Physical therapy did not fully rehabilitate your knee
- You have multiple ligament tears
- Your knee is no longer stable
Following surgery, you will work with a physical therapist to help rebuild strength and flexibility in your knee.
Fully recovering from your injury may take up to a year if the tear was severe. It’s important to remain committed to your physical therapy but not overdo it. Returning to activities before you are ready may lead to a reinjury of your ACL.
Find an ACL Tear Specialist Near You
If you are experiencing knee pain, and think you may have an ACL tear, seek help from a knee doctor near you. Our ACL tear specialists see patients in Nashville and Franklin, TN.
Author: AMWN Dev
Related Articles
According to the University of Michigan, approximately 400,000 ACL injuries occur annually in the United States. These injuries often result from non-contact movements like sudden [...]
Do your feet ache after a long day? You might be dealing with more than fatigue. A collapsed arch could be behind the pain, often leading to more [...]
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is a vital stabilizer in the elbow, particularly for athletes who perform repetitive overhead motions. Injuries to this ligament are [...]
We tend to assume that the more physically fit you are, the more protected your body is from health problems. While there is certainly a [...]
According to research published by the National Library of Medicine, 1 in 3500 people injure their ACL every year. This makes it the most commonly [...]
Over 544,000 hip replacement surgeries were performed across the United States, according to the American College of Rheumatology? We see numbers like that at Elite [...]
Common Workplace Orthopedic Injuries: Prevention & Treatment Workplace injuries are a major cause of orthopedic issues, affecting workers across industries—from office employees to construction workers. [...]
Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide by Elite Sports Medicine and Orthopedics Back pain can be debilitating, affecting everything from daily activities to athletic performance. [...]
Understanding PCL Tears: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options If you're experiencing knee pain and searching for an orthopedic doctor near me, understanding the nature of [...]
Did you know that each year, around 100,000 to 200,000 people in the United States tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), according to data from [...]
