Understanding ACL Tear and Treatment Options

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Understanding ACL Tear and Treatment Options

ACL tears are one of the common injuries affecting athletes. The general population too could suffer from this condition following an accident. The knee joint consists of the femur, patella and tibia with the ACL (anterior cruciate) being one of the major four elements connecting the femur and the tibia. The ACL, along with the MCL (medial collateral), PCL (posterior cruciate) and the LCL (lateral collateral) hold the knee together. The ACL performs the important task of keeping the tibia from slipping out before the femur. It also gives stability to the knee as it rotates. Occurrence of ACL Tears ACL tears are usually detected in athletes and could occur as a result of rough play or falls. Around 80% of ACL tears related to sports have been non-contact injuries. ACL injuries outside of sports could come as a result of a fall, automobile accidents or manual labor. ACL generally occurs when landing from a jump. An ACL tear is typically felt like the knee giving out or a pop followed by debilitating pain. ACL tears could also cause swelling. A tear is detected by special tests that put stress on the anterior cruciate to detect torn ligament. An MRI scan may also be required for detecting torn ligaments or other associated knee injuries. Non-surgical Treatment Non-surgical treatment primarily involves physical therapy. It is aimed at restoring the knee to how it was before the injury. What is really important here is to advise and train the patient on preventing instability which could cause secondary injury in the knee. An experienced and efficient physical therapy and rehabilitation center would, however, train patients the right way to help them prevent such episodes and further knee injury. A knee brace may also have to be used. Conditions Favoring Non-surgical Treatment Non-surgical treatment of ACL tears is usually advised when: •

The ACL tear is partial and there are no symptoms of instability.

Athletes of high-demand sports have contracted complete ACL tears but have not experienced knee instability while playing low-demand sports, and have decided to play only low-demand sports in future.

ACL tears has been contracted by people who are more or less sedentary or do not carry out heavy manual work.

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•

Kids who have open growth plates contract ACL tears.

In other cases, particularly when there are other knee injuries combined with ACL tears, surgery is recommended. Severe tears in athletes often require ACL reconstruction surgery. Physicians at an efficient multi-specialty healthcare center would be able to provide the right kind of advice on the treatment option to follow.

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