What do they do for a torn ACL?

Asked by: Paula Johnson

Depending on the severity of your ACL injury, treatment may include rest and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain strength and stability, or surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation. A proper training program may help reduce the risk of an ACL injury.

Can an ACL tear heal without surgery?

Without surgery, your ACL will remain torn. The knee might heal—the swelling and pain will stop. But a torn anterior cruciate ligament does not reattach or heal itself.

Can you walk while having a torn ACL?

With ACL tears, walking is possible but can be painful. The patient should be able to walk in a straight line but will be unable to make sudden turns or pivot. A knee brace can help stabilize the knee, but with ACL tears, surgery is almost always required.

How do doctors treat a torn ACL?

During ACL reconstruction, the surgeon removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a segment of tendon — tissue similar to a ligament that connects muscle to bone. This replacement tissue is called a graft. Your surgeon will use a piece of tendon from another part of your knee or a tendon from a deceased donor.

How long does it take to recover from a torn ACL?

Results. Successful ACL reconstruction paired with focused rehabilitation can usually restore stability and function to your knee. Within the first few weeks after surgery, you should strive to regain a range of motion equal to that of your opposite knee. Recovery generally takes about nine months.

Is ACL surgery a major surgery?

ACL reconstruction surgery can help restore range of motion, function and stability to the knee joint after an ACL injury. ACL reconstruction surgery is a common but major surgery with risks, like any other surgery.

What does a partially torn ACL feel like?

A loud pop or a “popping” sensation in the knee. Severe pain and inability to continue activity. Rapid swelling. Loss of range of motion.

What happens if you don’t repair a torn ACL?

If nothing is done, the ACL injury may turn into chronic ACL deficiency. Your knee may become more and more unstable and may give out more often. The abnormal sliding within the knee also can hurt cartilage. It can trap and damage the menisci in the knee and can also lead to early osteoarthritis.

Does a torn ACL hurt all the time?

Myth #2: it’s excruciating… Not necessarily. An ACL injury can be relatively painless. Some people twist their knees, hear a ‘pop’ as the ligament tears, and get plenty of swelling – but little discomfort.

Is ACL tear painful?

One of the most feared sports and work injuries is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which has ended or derailed the careers of numerous high-profile athletes. A torn ACL is very painful and can debilitate a person for several months and perhaps for life, although recovery for some is possible.

How long is an ACL surgery?

The procedure usually takes less than two hours. It will require an incision to remove a tendon if you are undergoing an autograft, in which a tendon from another part of your body is inserted in your knee.

How soon can you walk after ACL surgery?

Walking unassisted and the timeline for recovery

Patients walk unassisted within 2-4 weeks, but for short periods. After 10-12 weeks, expect brisk walking, light jogging, and even plyometric exercise. Full recovery on ACL reconstruction is 6-12 months, or more with physical therapy.

Does ACL surgery leave a scar?

Postoperative scarring is a known complication after arthroscopic anterior ligament reconstruction of the knee. The rate of symptomatic scarring requiring surgical lysis of adhesions after isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is approximately 0.34%.

Is ACL surgery keyhole?

ACL reconstruction usually lasts between one and three hours. The procedure is usually done by keyhole (arthroscopic) surgery. This means it’s carried out using instruments inserted through several small cuts into your knee.

How do you sleep after ACL surgery?

You can sleep on your back or side. Do not rest your knee with a pillow/towel under. It is very important to keep your knee straight. You will need a walking aid after your operation as you are likely to have a reduced weight-bearing (partial weight-bearing) capacity through your operated leg for two weeks.

Do I have to sleep in my brace after ACL surgery?

You will walk with crutches and the brace locked in extension for 1 to 3 weeks depending on your healing. Use your crutches for balance. You need to sleep with your brace locked in extension for the first two weeks. You will discontinue the brace once you have full ROM and good quadriceps control.

Can I drive with torn ACL?

“Surprisingly for some people, they can often get back to walking and they feel OK.” Mr Witte explains that even with a torn ACL, you may find a few weeks after your injury that you can ride a bike and swim, go back to work, and do most normal things. Including driving.

How do you shower after ACL surgery?

When you shower, keep your bandage and incision dry by taping a sheet of plastic to cover them. It might be best to get a shower stool to sit on. If you have a brace, only take it off if your doctor says it’s okay. If your doctor does not want you to shower or remove your brace, you can take a sponge bath.

Do you have to stay in hospital after ACL surgery?

Most ACL reconstructions are done under general anesthesia. So you’ll be asleep during the surgery and not feel anything. The surgery usually takes 2 to 2½ hours, and you won’t need to stay in the hospital overnight.

Is ACL surgery arthroscopic?

To repair the ACL, we perform arthroscopic surgery, which is less invasive and allows patients to recover more quickly. In an ACL reconstruction, the damaged ligament is replaced with a tissue graft from a donor (allograft) or your own body (autograft).

How long does an ACL tear take to heal without surgery?

Non-surgical Treatment

The time it takes to recover is approximately 3 months.

Is ACL surgery orthopedic?

Complete ACL tears are usually treated by sports medicine physicians and orthopedic surgeons with an ACL reconstruction surgery, in which the torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft to mimic the natural ACL.

How long is too long for ACL surgery?

A delay of more than six months increases the risk of further damage and degeneration of the involved knee.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL surgery?

Long-term results after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery aren’t always perfect. But for the majority of patients, the outcome is favorable and patients are happy with the results.