An ACL tear is a common knee injury among athletes and active people of all ages. Over 150,000 people tear their ACL annually. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is important for knee stability. An injury or tear can drastically impact your daily life.
At Banner Health, we are committed to providing personal care tailored to your needs, helping you recover and return to your active lifestyle. Explore more about ACL tears, their symptoms, treatment and what you can expect as you recover.
The ACL is one of four major knee ligaments (fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to one another and provides support and stability to the joint). The ACL ligament connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and is the main stabilizing ligament of the knee.
An ACL injury is either a tear or a sprain. An ACL sprain is when the ACL is overstretched but not torn. An ACL tear is when the ACL is completely disrupted. Usually, an ACL injury is given a grade to tell health care providers how serious it is:
ACL tears often happen during sports activities that involve sudden stops, jumps or changes in direction. They are usually seen in sports like soccer, football, basketball, gymnastics and lacrosse.
Teenage athletes have the highest rate of ACL tears. Females are at higher risk of ACL injuries than male athletes.
Not all ACL tears are associated with sports injuries. Many tears occur at home or work from falls and twisting of the knee.
An ACL tear can be painful, but some people only feel mild discomfort. The most common symptoms of an ACL tear are:
If you think you have injured your ACL, you should stay off the injured leg and elevate it. Apply ice and take an over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication, such as ibuprofen.
Schedule an appointment to see an orthopedic or sports medicine physician. This provider can often diagnose an ACL tear based on history and physical exam alone. If a physical exam is done, they might have you perform movements or motions with your knee and leg. A torn ACL will typically show an increased anterior movement of the tibia of the knee compared to an uninjured knee.
Your provider may also order imaging tests, such as an X-rays to rule out a fracture. An MRI may also be requested to determine the extent of the injury.
Initial treatment for an ACL tear is rest and ice to reduce pain and swelling. Sometimes a brace may be used to help support the leg as well. Physical therapy may be suggested to further help decrease pain and swelling and increase knee motion.
Once the symptoms from the initial injury have decreased, you can then discuss further treatment with your provider. Treatment may or may not include surgery.
If you are less active or are willing to avoid pivoting or strenuous activities, then non-operative treatment can be continued. Physical therapy and bracing are often recommended.
However, if you are an athlete or want to return to physical activity, and the knee is unstable, reconstructive surgery to repair the ACL is often needed. The ACL can be reconstructed with your own tissue (autograft) by using a portion of the patellar tendon or quadriceps and somethings one of the hamstrings. Less frequently, tissue from a cadaver (allograft) can be used but are less effective in patients that are very active in sports and under the age of 25.
Following surgery, you will most often wear a knee brace and use crutches for three to four weeks. Physical therapy will also be started early to help with recovery and help reduce swelling and regain range of motion. To ensure a successful recovery, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s and physical therapist’s instructions and take an active role in your rehabilitation.
Over the following weeks and months, you’ll gradually increase exercises to improve strength and stability while the graft heals. Recovery will take a minimum of six months, but usually it will be eight to nine months for most people to be cleared to return to normal activities and sports. Your provider might recommend you continue to wear a knee brace for one to two years whenever you participate in sports.
The chance of tearing the ACL graft following surgery is low (usually 5%). Factors such as activity level, age and graft type all play a role. Maintaining a good level of fitness and following the exercise program provided by your physical therapist is very important in limiting your risk of tearing the graft.
While it’s not always possible to completely prevent an ACL tear, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk:
For personalized tips to meet your goals, learn more about Banner Health’s ACL Play It Safe program. We find the best routine to avoid ACL injuries to meet your fitness and athletic goals.
Don’t let an ACL tear keep you from enjoying life. Trust Banner Health to provide the expert care you need to fully recover. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic and sports medicine specialists.
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