I tore my ACL, now what?

OSD
OSD
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

When we play a sport, go on a run, play with our kids, etc. we don’t think about the possibilities of getting hurt. However, “I tore my ACL…” is a phrase heard more often than not especially with young adults between the ages of 15- 45. Anterior cruciate ligament, otherwise known as an ACL, has become one of the most recognizable knee injuries. A torn ACL injury can happen in a multitude of ways, but the most commonly known ACL injuries are related to sports. According to the Rothman Institute, ACL’s are designed to maintain and provide your knee joints with 90% of it’s stability during certain movements. So what happens when you tear your ACL and how does it effect the functionality of your knee? You may hear or feel a pop in your knee and your knee will begin to swell up which will cause immobility. The ACL is responsible for controlling the motion within your knee and providing stability to your knee when it is rotating and when it is injured, it can become a huge, painful problem.

Often times when someone tears their ACL they are prompted to have reconstructive surgery by an orthopaedic doctor. Each year, there are upwards of 200,000 cases of ACL injuries which undergo reconstruction surgery. A torn ACL can have a hindering affect on healing, and can take up to a year to fully heal. Within the time an ACL injury occurs to the time a person is fully healed, there are a multitude of steps that must be taken. Surgery being one of them, but immediately after surgery, the next step is to begin physical therapy and regaining the strength within the knee. Although this is a big injury and can be a setback, it isn’t to say that full recovery is out of the question. Most athletes are able to dive back into their sports careers once they are fully healed from the injury.

The best outcomes in difficult injury situations come from being in safe environments. It is important to understand the injury and do your research on knowledgeable doctors. At Orthopaedic Specialists of Dallas, we ensure the safest possible patient care and take pride in our attention to detail in our line of work. We take the time to educate our clients and their families on their injuries and the best line of action for full recovery. In the event that you or someone you know has a torn ACL and you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach us by calling (972) 771–8111 to speak with one of our qualified staff.

Sources:

https://www.rothmaninstitute.com/stories/news-and-blog/the-infamous-pop-how-to-find-effective-treatment-for-acl-tear

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007208.htm

OSD
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