Dr. Shetty's Center of Orthopaedics
Causes – ACL tears are typically caused by twisting knee injuries. Sports involving sudden pivoting movement, sudden deceleration & landing from jumping as in badminton, basketball & football are considered non-contact causes of ACL tears direct blow to the knee during any collision sports or road traffic accident is considered a contact injury to the ACL.
Symptoms
ACL tears cause acute pain & development of knee swelling. Sometimes you may feel a proper snap inside the knee. Initially, you may find difficulty in bearing weight & walking, pain, swelling & inability to bear weight will subside in 3-4 days of injury. But you have the feeling of giving away or inability in your knee & lack of confidence which doing exertional activities.
First aid Management- RICE therapy
R – Rest
I – Icing [once in 2 hours for 20 minutes]
C – Compression [Wrapping crepe bandage around knee & bracing]
E – Elevation of the limb
Diagnosis
Through physical examination & clinical assessment by an orthopedician are mandatory. an MRI is helpful to confirm the diagnosis showing an ACL tear
Treatment :
Non-Operative Treatment
Consists of Anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy & activity modification. This mode of treatment is usually opted for by individuals having sedentary lifestyles quoting their non-involvement in sports activities
ACL tears usually do not heal non-operative management increases the risk of sub-request meniscus injuries & early wear & tear arthritics because of instability in the knee research has proved & demonstrated that surgery is less complicated & has better.
Operative Treatment
Operative management is guided by the type of tear. ACL repair is indicated in patients where the ACL is torn off the thigh or shin bones most of the ACL tears require ACL reconstruction using your own graft [hamstring, peroneal or patella tendon] the choice of graft differs from individual to individual. All these procedures are done through a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure post-operative rehab, return to daily activities & return to sports are well guided according to the standard protocol.