How to Treat a Torn ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur and tibia and provides the knee with support. It is also the most commonly injured ligament of the knee, occurring more frequently in females. Usually an MRI is used to diagnose the severity of the injury. A torn ACL can be treated without surgery, but someone who exercises or plays sports usually has surgical reconstruction. Read on to learn how to treat a torn ACL.
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Instructions
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Non-Surgical Treatment
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1
Reduce swelling by icing and taking anti-inflammatory drugs as directed by your doctor. Anti-inflammatory drugs are usually taken four times a day.
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2
Wear a leg brace to provide support when walking. Crutches may be helpful to prevent awkward limping that strains the back or other leg. Crutches are available at large drugstore chains at a very low cost.
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3
Increase your range of motion. Usually this is done with the help of a physical therapist in the beginning. Rehabilitation typically takes six to eight weeks.
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4
Strengthen the muscles around your knee, including hamstrings, quadriceps, calf, hip and ankle.
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5
Ease back into normal daily and athletic activities. Plan to give up activities that could further damage your knee.
Reconstructive Surgery
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6
Wear a supportive leg brace when walking.
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Decide if you are going to replace the ACL with a patellar tendon graft, a hamstring tendon graft or allograft. An allograft is taken from a cadaver. Synthetic grafts have also been used, but have a higher rate of failure.
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8
Wait until swelling from the injury has diminished. This may take six weeks or longer.
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9
Receive arthroscopic surgery under general anesthesia. This is an outpatient procedure.
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10
Begin physical therapy. Rehabilitation typically takes four to six months.
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Tips & Warnings
ACL injuries that go untreated or are improperly treated may lead to scar-tissue build up and early knee arthritis.
