It causes leg pain and instability of the knee.
This is one of the most common injuries among recreational athletes of all ages.
A physical examination diagnoses an ACL tear.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
Often, rehabilitation is part of recovery after surgical treatment.
This article will discuss the symptoms and causes of ACL tears along with diagnosis and treatment.
What Are ACL Tears?
A ligament is a strong band of connective tissue that attaches bones, providing stability.
TheACLis one of four major knee ligaments.
It can rip when your leg movements stretch or pull this ligament.
Right after an ACL tear, you might rapidly develophemarthrosis(bleeding into your joint).
This causes:
With an ACL tear, yourjoint will be unstableand prone to give out.
This can occur when you are participating insportsor even with simple movements like walking or getting into a car.
For this reason, athletes often undergo surgery to return to their previous level of competition.
About 60% to 70% of ACL tears occur without contact with another athlete.
ACL Tears in Women
Female athletes are especially prone to ACL tears.
Men and women position the knee differently during critical sports movements such as landing, cutting, and pivoting.
Diagnosing ACL Tears
The diagnosis of an ACL tear relies on several methods.
Imaging Tests
You may also need an X-ray of your knee, which can identify bone fractures.
Grading ACL Tears
ACL sprains are graded based on how much the ligament is damaged.
Treatment of ACL Tears
Can an ACL tear heal without surgery?
Many people who experience an ACL tear start tofeel better within a few weeksof the injury.
Most people do not need surgery after an ACL tear, especially if the ACL is only partially torn.
Eventually, you’re able to start physical therapy and/or use a knee brace.
Physical therapy for a partial ACL tear includes strengthening, balance, and range of motion exercises.
Several important factors need to be consideredwhen deciding on ACL surgery.
Surgery
The usualsurgery for an ACL tearis called an ACL reconstruction.
Since a repair of the ligament is not usually possible, it is reconstructed using another tendon or ligament.
There are severalapproaches to ACL surgery, and your healthcare provider will explain which is best for you.
For example, severaltypes of grafts can be usedto reconstruct the torn ACL.
Your practitioner can use one of your ligaments, or you’re free to use a donor graft.
Typically, using your ligament results in more potent healing.
This process can take months.
The good news is that most people do not have any complications after ACL surgery.
Braces
You may need to use aknee braceafter ACL reconstruction surgery.
Surgery increases the risk of growth problems in children.
ACL surgery can cause growth plate disruptions, such as early growth plate closure or alignment deformities.
Summary
Preventing ACL tears is essential.
Neuromuscular training may help improve muscle control and reduce the chances of sustaining these types of injuries.
If you have had an injury, you must wait long enough to heal before you return to playing.
This can be difficult, especially for professional athletes and students with athletic scholarships.
Experts recommend waiting six to 12 months after a significant ACL injury before returning to play.
2019;39(6, Suppl 1):S47-S49.
