Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Treatment
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main ligaments in our knee and has an important role in maintaining the stability of the knee. This ligament is located between the thigh bone (femur) and the calf bone (tibia) and provides an important control mechanism, especially during knee rotation and back and forth movements.
An anterior cruciate ligament tear is a complete or partial rupture of this ligament. It usually occurs during sudden turns, quick stops, or movements that go beyond the knee's natural range of motion. These types of injuries are common in sports such as football, basketball, and skiing.
Symptoms usually include a strong feeling of pain at the time of injury, swelling in the knee, and difficulty moving. In addition, the feeling of “something breaking” or hearing noise at the time of injury are among the possible symptoms.
An anterior cruciate ligament tear is usually diagnosed by physical examination and imaging tests (eg, MRI). Treatment options depend on the severity of the injury and the person's activity level and may include conservative treatment (physical therapy and rehabilitation) or surgery.
How Is An Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear Treated?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is treated according to the severity of the injury, the person's age, activity level, and general health. Here are the general treatment options:
Conservative Treatment: Conservative treatment is usually suitable for mild tears or for people who do not have a high activity level. This type of treatment includes physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises. The goal is to increase knee strength and mobility. Physical therapy helps strengthen muscles, reduce pain, and improve knee stability and flexibility.
Surgical treatment: Surgical treatment is usually recommended in more active people or complete tears. During surgery, the surgeon usually replaces the torn ligament with a new piece of tendon. This new tendon can be taken from the patient's own body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft).
After surgical treatment, patients usually participate in a rehabilitation program. This program helps to strengthen the muscles, restore full range of motion of the knee and return the person to their normal activities.
Which course of treatment to choose depends on your doctor's advice and your lifestyle and goals. All treatment options require a certain amount of time and effort to allow the patient to fully recover.
