Understanding ACL Tears Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

One of the most common injuries in people with active lifestyles is the ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament, tear. In fact, out of the four knee ligaments, the ACL is the one that gets injured the most. Patients report significant pain, swelling, and loss of motion.

If you partake in high-impact sports like soccer, football, gymnastics, skiing, etc, you have more risks of suffering from this type of injury. Other risk factors include wearing improper footwear, playing on artificial turf, or even being female, as muscle strength and hormonal influences can have a negative effect.

At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, we are committed to helping our patients understand their conditions and providing the highest standard of care. If you are suspecting you might have an ACL tear, let’s understand their symptoms, causes, and treatments, so you can get back to doing what you love the most.

What is an ACL Tear?

When the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, commonly known as ACL, gets injured, you get what doctors call an ACL tear. This ligament is of the four in the knee, and connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). It plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee, particularly when making sudden movements like changing direction, stopping, or jumping.

ACL tears have a significant impact on an individual’s mobility and activity levels. Depending on your case, you will need different types of treatments and aftercare strategies to get back to your previous health.

How Does an ACL Tear Happen?

ACL tears generally happen during activities that involve sudden stops, jumps, or changes in direction. In our patients, the primary causes include but are not limited to:

  • Sports Injuries: athletes often damage their ACL when they pivot or land awkwardly. This often occurs in high-impact sports like football, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and skiing.
  • Direct Impact: a direct blow to the knee can cause the ACL to tear. This might happen, for example, during a tackle in football.
  • Overextension: hyperextending the knee can put excessive strain on the ligament and lead to a tear. Be careful of abruptly slowing down or stopping while running.
  • Falls: any trauma that abnormally bends or twists the knee can cause an ACL tear, like falling off a ladder, missing a step on a staircase, etc.

Symptoms of an ACL Tear

The sooner you recognize a possible ACL tear and seek treatment, the most likely you will be to successfully restore mobility. Be aware of any:

  • Popping sounds in the knee at the moment of injury,
  • Immediate, intense and severe pain following the injury or bad movement.
  • Rapid swelling within a few hours.
  • Feeling instability in the knee or as it might “give away” if you put any weight on it.
  • A limited range of motion when performing daily activities.

Treatment Options for ACL Tears in New Jersey

After diagnosing your ACL tear, you will decide the best course of action along with your orthopaedic surgeon. It will mainly depend on the severity of the injury and your lifestyle. The procedures usually fall into one of the following categories:

Non-Surgical Treatments

For simpler tears, your doctor will probably recommend resting and avoiding activities that put stress on the knee, as that would allow it to heal itself. They might also suggest physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around your joint and improve stability. If you or your provider are worried about unconscious movements that could hinder your progress, bracing can be a great option to support and protect the knee.

Surgical Treatments

If your tear was total or severe, most likely you will need some kind of surgical intervention in order to properly heal. The most common surgery is an ACL reconstruction, in which the torn ACL is replaced with a graft. This tissue is typically taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from a donor’s (allograft).

If you undergo surgery, it’s very important to follow a rehabilitation plan that will allow you to regain strength, stability, and range of motion. Depending on your age, goals, and physical condition, different strategies will apply.

Additional Concerns About ACL Tears? Enjoy Our Comprehensive Q&A Section

How do I know if I have an ACL tear?

If you made a sudden movement with your leg from there you have heard popping sounds around your knee or experienced severe pain, swelling, and/or instability in your joint, you might have an ACL tear. However, the only way to make sure of this is by seeking a professional diagnosis. Your provider will perform a physical exam and most likely order an imaging test like an MRI to confirm the tear and its severity.

Can an ACL tear heal on its own without surgery?

Minor ACL tears can heal with appropriate rest, physical therapy, and correct use of bracing. Nonetheless, complete tears require surgical intervention most of the time for optimal results. If you’re someone that’s used to high-impact activities or frequent sport, a surgical procedure will be a must-to for going back to your routine.

How long does it take to recover from ACL surgery?

Recovery time will vary depending on your age, injury severity, previous conditions, and treatment. Most patients can expect to return to normal activities within 6 to 9 months post-surgery. Athletes can take longer to regain their previous levels of performance.

What are the associated risks with ACL surgery?

Just like with any surgery, there are risks. These include infection, blood clots, and anesthesia-related complications—but don’t worry! ACL reconstruction is a rather common procedure with a high success rate.

Can physical therapy alone effectively treat an ACL tear?

Physical therapy by itself is a great alternative for partial tears and patients who do not engage in high-impact activities or sports. Since it focuses on strengthening the surrounding muscles and improving your knee’s stability, it usually delivers great results for restoring your common activities.

What are the long-term effects of an untreated ACL tear?

An ACL tear, no matter its severity, should always be diagnosed and treated accordingly. If you do not receive the attention you require, it might worsen over time, which would lead to chronic knee instability, increased risks of falling, and early-onset arthritis.

What preventive measures can I take to avoid an ACL tear?

Some measures you can take for lowering your risks of suffering from an ACL tear are:

  • Strength training around the knee
  • Improving flexibility
  • Proper techniques in sports and/or regular exercises

Get Your ACL Back to Health at Our New Jersey Orthopaedic Practice

At Genesis Orthopaedic and Spine, we are committed to providing comprehensive care for patients suffering from an ACL tear or any other kind of sport injury. We offer the latest techniques and options for addressing your orthopaedic concerns in any of our five New Jersey locations.

Our expert team is here to help you find the most effective treatment plan to restore your mobility and improve your quality of life. If you are worried you might have torn your ACL, don’t hesitate to contact us for a consultation.

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