Can you bend your knee with a torn ACL?

If you're able to put pressure on your hurt leg, you may notice that it's harder than normal to walk. Some people find that the knee joint feels looser than it should. Less range of motion. After you damage your ACL, it's very likely that you won't be able to bend and flex your knee like you normally would.
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Does a torn ACL hurt to bend?

A clear sign that you've torn your ACL is a loud popping sound at the time of trauma. You may hear this pop, as can people nearby. You usually experience pain right after hearing this pop, especially at the back and outside portion of your knee. If you try to twist, bend, or move the knee, the pain intensifies.
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How do you tell if ACL is torn or sprained?

Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury usually include:
  1. A loud "popping" in the knee.
  2. Severe pain.
  3. Rapid swelling.
  4. Loss of range of motion.
  5. Knee instability where the knee feels like it will buckle and cannot support the weight.
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How far can you bend your knee with a torn ACL?

When you've torn your ACL you will lose a range of motion. Try bending your knee and then straightening it out. If you can't bend your knee to a 90 degree angle or straighten out your leg because of pain, stiffness and swelling, then it is likely that you've torn your ACL.
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How do you tell if your ACL is partially torn?

Symptoms
  • A loud pop or a "popping" sensation in the knee.
  • Severe pain and inability to continue activity.
  • Rapid swelling.
  • Loss of range of motion.
  • A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing.
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When can you bend your knee after ACL surgery?



What does an untreated torn ACL feel like?

Chances are you will feel a pop when the ACL tears, followed by pain and swelling. You may experience immediate swelling, but if not, you can count on it within 24 hours. Many patients also have knee instability, limited movement, discomfort when walking, and knee buckling.
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How do you rule out a torn ACL?

An MRI can show the extent of an ACL injury and signs of damage to other tissues in the knee, including the cartilage. Ultrasound. Using sound waves to visualize internal structures, ultrasound may be used to check for injuries in the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the knee.
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What part of the knee hurts with a torn ACL?

You will likely feel pain in the center of your knee during an ACL tear. Because the MCL is located on the side of your knee, the pain and swelling will be located on the inside of the knee structure rather than the middle.
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What hurts when you tear your ACL?

Most people who tear their ACL feel pain and a "pop" in their knee when the injury happens. Their knee usually gets swollen soon after the injury. After the swelling goes down, someone with an ACL tear usually can walk. But the knee may feel unstable and can "give way" and make the person stumble or fall.
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What movements are hard with a torn ACL?

Common symptoms of a torn ACL include: popping sound at the time of injury. pain.
...
People will be unable to:
  • jump and land on the knee.
  • accelerate and then change directions.
  • rapidly pivot on the knee.
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What are 3 signs and symptoms of an ACL tear?

What are the symptoms of an ACL injury or tear?
  • A “pop” in the knee at the time of injury.
  • Swelling of the knee.
  • Inability to bear weight on leg (though some have little or no pain)
  • Instability of the knee.
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Can you straighten your leg with a torn ACL?

Within a few days of tearing your ACL, the swelling will start to diminish, and you will likely be able to straighten your knee. Sometimes athletes who tear their ACL will also rip the meniscus too. This is another reason why it might be hard to straighten the knee.
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How do I know if I just tore my ACL?

Intense pain, inability to bear weight, and sudden swelling are all signs that you've torn your ACL. Call your doctor or orthopedic specialist right away. The sooner you make see your doctor, the sooner you can start to feel better.
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How do I know if I tore my ACL or meniscus?

ACL tear versus meniscus tear symptoms

After a meniscus tear, it's often quite difficult to fully extend or bend the knee. There can also be a “locking” sensation within the joint and reduced mobility as a result. This doesn't tend to occur with ACL tears.
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Can I bend my knee with a torn MCL?

The knee may feel stiff, and a person may have difficulty straightening their leg or bending their knee. They may also find climbing the stairs or sitting in a chair challenging as this requires them to bend their knee. A torn MCL can affect the stability of the knee.
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Can you be OK with a torn ACL?

With ACL tears, walking is possible but can be painful. The patient should be able to walk in a straight line but will be unable to make sudden turns or pivot. A knee brace can help stabilize the knee, but with ACL tears, surgery is almost always required.
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Are ACL tears tender to touch?

An ACL tear can be extremely painful and pain typically sets in immediately. You may also notice swelling and discoloration, which typically get worse for a period of time before getting better. The knee may also feel warm to the touch and may feel tender, especially when touched.
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Can you bend your knee with a torn meniscus?

In a typical moderate tear, you feel pain at the side or in the center of the knee, depending on where the tear is. Often, you are still able to walk. Swelling usually increases slowly over a few days and may make the knee feel stiff and limit bending.
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Can you walk fine with a torn ACL?

Can you walk with a torn ACL? The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
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Will an xray show a torn ACL?

X-rays will not show the ACL injury but will show if the injury involves any fractures. An MRI scan provides images of soft tissues such as torn ligaments. Usually, an MRI is not required for a torn ACL diagnosis. Treatment for an ACL tear varies from immobilization to surgery.
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Can you ignore torn ACL?

When you experience an ACL tear, you may be tempted to skip the doctor as long as you aren't in too much pain. However, an ACL tear that is left untreated can cause future injuries. The ACL stabilizes the knee. It plays a crucial role in our movements like changing direction, jumping, pivoting, or making sudden stops.
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What's worse a torn meniscus or ACL?

Many ACL tears we see only have problems ascending stairs, jogging, or walking downhill but can walk up hills and on flat roads without an increase in pain. A meniscus tear, on the other hand, will cause fairly severe pain even just standing on it.
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How long can you go with a torn ACL without surgery?

Overall, the length of recovery from a complete ACL injury is approximately 9-12 months if you have a reconstruction surgery. Recovery is shorter without surgery (approximately 3 months).
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What is a Grade 1 ACL sprain?

ACL injuries are considered sprains and vary in severity. Grade 1: The ligament has sustained mild damage and been slightly stretched (ACL sprain) but can still keep the knee joint stable. Grade 2: The ACL is stretched and becomes loose. This type of ACL injury is often referred to as a partial tear of the ligament.
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