There are two main options for treating an ACL injury: surgery or no surgery. The decision of whether or not to have surgery is a personal one that depends on many factors, including the severity of the injury, the activity level of the patient, and the presence of other injuries. Some people may choose to have surgery to avoid the risk of further injury, while others may opt for rehabilitation and avoid surgery altogether. The goal of this blog is to provide information and resources to help patients make an informed decision about their treatment options.
There are many considerations to take into account when deciding whether or not to have surgery for an ACL injury. The severity of the injury is one of the most important factors. Patients with a complete tear of the ACL will likely need surgery to repair the damage. Those with a partial tear may be able to avoid surgery if the injury is not severe enough to impact their daily activities.
The decision of whether or not to have surgery for an ACL injury is a personal one. The best way to make a decision is to talk to your doctor about your options and what is best for your individual situation.
Non-Surgical ACL Tear Treatment
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the knee and help you regain range of motion. If the joint pain and instability are severe, you may need an arthroscopic debridement, which involves using a small camera to look inside the knee. Your doctor will then remove any debris that might be causing pain. If you have a partial tear, your doctor may recommend a blood-based treatment called platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
This treatment involves taking a sample of your blood and separating out the platelets, which are known to stimulate healing. The platelets are then injected into the knee joint to help promote healing. If you have a complete ACL tear, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the ligament.
The two most common types of ACL surgery are arthroscopic surgery and open surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is less invasive and involves making small incisions around the knee and using a camera to see inside the joint. Open surgery is more invasive and involves making a large incision in the knee to allow your surgeon to directly repair the ligament.
Conservative (Non-Operative) Care: This type of care focuses on relieving pain and inflammation while also protecting and stabilizing the joint. This can be done through a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), physical therapy, and/or bracing. In some cases, your doctor may also recommend taking over-the-counter or prescription medications to help relieve pain and inflammation.
Injections to Relieve Pain and Stabilize the Joint: There are a few different types of injections that can be used to help treat an ACL tear. The most common are corticosteroid injections, which can help reduce pain and inflammation. There are also injections of lubricating substances, such as hyaluronic acid, which can help stabilize the joint and protect it from further damage.
Why People Choose Not to Have Surgery for An ACL Tear
For many people with an ACL tear, surgery and the potential risks of surgery (infection, blood clot formation, etc.) might not be worth it. For some, surgery may not even be an option:
- A person’s health and age could prohibit them from getting surgery.
- They may have other medical conditions that make them ineligible for certain types of surgeries.
- Their injury may have happened too recently for them to recover from the procedure in time for their next athletic season or event.
In addition to these factors, there are also many people who don’t want to go under the knife but still want a solution for their knee problems—and non-surgical treatment options are available!
How A Non-Surgical ACL Tear Is Treated
If you have a non-surgical ACL tear, your doctor will recommend physical therapy to help with the recovery process. Your doctor may also prescribe medications, such as anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers that can ease any swelling or bruising around your knee.
Additionally, if you’re in need of a brace for support during recovery from an ACL tear, there are several options available that provide different levels of stability and comfort. These braces come in many different sizes and styles based on where they’re worn on the leg and how much support is needed. A brace should also be fitted by someone who knows what kind works best for each individual case.
What Are the Results of Non-Surgical Treatment?
You can expect to recover from non-surgical treatment within 3-6 months. Successful non-surgical treatments include Physical therapy, including sports medicine and rehabilitation. This type of therapy uses exercises to improve the strength and stability of the knee joint. It may include special equipment or devices such as braces, taping techniques and exercise machines.
Joint replacement surgery for the knee (total knee arthroplasty). A surgeon will remove damaged tissue in your knee and replace it with an artificial implant that mimics normal motion while protecting against further injury. The procedure can be done through keyhole surgery (arthroscopic), which involves using tiny instruments inserted through small incisions in your skin so as not to leave a noticeable scar on your leg.
Surgery for an ACL Tear
If you’ve torn your ACL, you will likely require surgery to repair the injury. ACL surgery involves replacing the shredded ACL with a new tendon, which is typically taken from the patellar tendon or the hamstring. During ACL surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the knee and insert a new tendon in the knee joint. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and patients will typically stay in the hospital for one to two days following the procedure.
Surgery is the best option for a full recovery. Surgery is not always needed, especially if you are younger and have strong muscles that can take over when the ACL is torn. If you want to return to sports as quickly as possible and have healthy knees, then surgery is a good option for you. If you want to be able to do well in sports or just walk normally after an injury, then surgery will help with this goal.
After surgery, patients will likely be required to wear a knee brace for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy is also a key part of the recovery process to help patients regain range of motion and strength in the knee and leg. Physical therapy usually begins one to two weeks after surgery and may be performed in an outpatient setting. Patients can expect to return to full activity within four to six months following ACL surgery.
How Surgery for An ACL Tear Is Conducted
If you’ve torn your ACL, you will likely require surgery to repair the injury. ACL surgery involves replacing the shredded ACL with a new tendon, which is typically taken from the patellar tendon or the hamstring.
During ACL surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the knee and insert a new tendon in the knee joint. The surgery is performed under general anesthesia, and patients will typically stay in the hospital for one to two days following the procedure.
After surgery, patients will likely be required to wear a knee brace for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy is also a key part of the recovery process to help patients regain range of motion and strength in the knee and leg. Physical therapy usually begins one to two weeks after surgery and may be performed in an outpatient setting. Patients can expect to return to full activity within four to six months following ACL surgery.
After ACL surgery, patients will likely be required to wear a knee brace for six to eight weeks. Physical therapy is also a key part of the recovery process to help patients regain range of motion and strength in the knee and leg. Physical therapy usually begins one to two weeks after surgery and may be performed in an outpatient setting.
Conclusion
There is a lot of debate on whether or not surgery is the best option for ACL tears. Studies have shown that surgery may not be necessary for some people, especially young people. However, there are also many people who believe that surgery is the best option for ACL tears. There is no right or wrong answer, and it is up to the individual to decide what is best for them.
If you are considering surgery for your ACL tear, it is important to talk to your doctor about all of your options. There are risks and benefits to both surgery and nonsurgical treatment options. You and your doctor can work together to decide what is best for you. Your doctor can explain why it would be better to get surgery or not get surgery and give an idea how long recovery will take based on their experience with other patients in similar situations like yours.
FAQs
1. What is the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)?
The ACL is a major ligament in the knee that helps stabilize the joint. It can be injured in a number of ways, including through contact sports or by twisting the knee awkwardly.
2. What are the risks of ACL surgery?
ACL surgery carries a risk of infection, bleeding, and nerve or blood vessel damage. There is also a risk of the knee joint not healing properly.
3. What are the benefits of ACL surgery?
ACL surgery can help to stabilize the knee joint and reduce the risk of further injury. It can also help to improve range of motion and function.
4. What are the risks of not having ACL surgery?
Not having ACL surgery can lead to continued instability in the knee joint and an increased risk of further injury. It can also lead to decreased range of motion and function.
5. What is the recovery time for ACL surgery?
The recovery time for ACL surgery is typically around three to six months.
