Get Back in the Game After an ACL Tear

An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is a common knee injury in active individuals. The ACL is one of the ligaments that stabilizes your knee joint. Tears or sprains can occur when you suddenly stop, pivot, land awkwardly from a jump, or experience a direct blow to the knee.

Following an ACL tear, symptoms appear immediately. You experience the following:

• A popping sound in the knee
• Severe pain and inability to continue activity
• Swelling in the knee
• Instability in the knee

If you suspect you have an ACL tear, taking action quickly is vital. First, stop any physical activity and avoid putting weight on the injured leg. Elevate the knee to control swelling. Ice can also help reduce swelling and pain. Most importantly seek medical evaluation from an experienced orthopedic surgeon. A healthcare provider will confirm whether an ACL tear is the cause of your symptoms.

At your appointment, our expert, Dr. Thomas Kane III,  will explain the treatment and therapy necessary to ensure a full recovery.

Treatment and recovery for an ACL tear

Treatment for ACL tears is essential, especially if you want to return to high-intensity sports. 

Depending on the severity of the tear and your activity level, treatment varies:

• Partial tears are often treated with physical therapy and bracing.
• Severe and complete tears will require reconstructive surgery, especially for athletes wanting to return to high-intensity sports. This surgery involves replacing the torn ligament with a biologic graft taken from other tendons.

Recovery from a non-surgical approach can take three to six months. Full recovery, including a return to high-intensity sports following reconstructive surgery, can take up to 12 months. During this time, you will focus on restoring strength, flexibility, and stability in the knee through physical therapy.

Best practices for ACL recovery

Combining physical therapy with nutritional interventions may lead to better outcomes and a faster recovery.

A study on ACL tears caused by microtrauma concluded that combining vitamin C, collagen, or gelatin improves collagen synthesis in the injured tendon, speeding up recovery.

Omega-3 supplementation may also be beneficial, as it helps lower inflammation, a common occurrence of ACL tears.

Get help for your ACL injury

The healing process for an ACL injury takes time, but with patience and proper guidance, you likely can return to full performance in your favorite sports. If you suspect that you have sustained an ACL injury, contact us to schedule an appointment.

Dr. Kane is here to guide you, step by step through recovery and ensure you get well.