ACL means anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is found on the knee which is prone to injuries because of high action sports etc. Football, basketball and other games where players have to frequently get knee injuries usually get a ACL tear. There are collateral and cruciate ligaments in the knee which are rope like structures which hold the other bones of the leg together as wells as allow for movement from side to side and rotation. These ligaments are protected by the knee cap. But sometimes even this would not suffice or a high level injury and there are chances of a ligament tear. Studies have been conducted and it is proven that female athletes are prone to more ACL tears in certain sports than their male counterparts. This is because of physical conditioning, estrogen levels, the leg and pelvis extremities compared to men, the neuromuscular control and muscular strength also depends from individual to individual. However, one can go for torn acl no surgery.

Symptoms of ACL injury

This ligament is not the only torn but with it other parts of the knee also get injured such as the meniscus, articulated cartilage and other ligaments.

  • There is a popping sound and you can feel the knee give away and you can feel you affected leg collapse.
  • Pain and swelling can be observed within twenty four hours after the injury.
  • Discomfort in walking and it can be seen that the posture is changed.
  • Tenderness along the joint line will be visible as also felt by the individual.
  • Loss of full range of motion, you have difficulty in lifting your leg, turning, walking or just standing.

Detection of an ACL tear

The tear would be detected by an X ray or MRI scans. And if the above symptoms are seen and told by the patients to the doctor, and professional orthopedist will definitely will get to know what the cause of pain is.

The types of treatments

  • Non surgical torn acl no surgery treatments will not cure a tear but in elderly where invasive surgery is not possible, they may opt for bracing the leg or physiotherapy.
  • For surgery the ligaments are stitched back, if it has to be reconstructed then it has to be done with tissue graft which acts as scaffolding for the torn ligament to grow and heal.
  • Grafts are taken from several sources from the patients body or from a cadaver graft is also used. These graft sources are discussed with the patient before the surgery.
  • After the surgery the graft may take a six moths time for healing and the rehabilitation process before it is fully functional and it will enable the sportsman to continue playing and running as before.
  • Arthroscopic surgery involves very less time and less invasive and heals faster and the patient recuperates better.
  • The rehabilitation of the patient is crucial to gain knee and motion with the right healing of the ligament. And the functional training for the athletes sport.