Is surgery the only way to fix a torn ACL?

While complete ACL tears almost always require surgery, partial ACL tears may be treated effectively with nonsurgical methods. ACL tears are graded by severity and are called sprains (a sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament). A grade 1 ACL sprain occurs when your ACL is overstretched, but not torn.

Can a torn ACL be repaired without surgery?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures can heal without surgery and this could be key to better patient outcomes, according to new findings challenging the common notion that an ACL injury cannot heal.

Is there an alternative to ACL surgery?

The Trusted Alternative to ACL Surgery – the Perc-ACLR

The Perc-ACLR is a highly precise, x-ray guided injection of both bundles of the damaged ACL with the patient's own bone marrow concentrate.

What happens if you tear your ACL and don't get surgery?

If nothing is done, the ACL injury may turn into chronic ACL deficiency. Your knee may become more and more unstable and may give out more often. The abnormal sliding within the knee also can hurt cartilage. It can trap and damage the menisci in the knee and can also lead to early osteoarthritis.

What if I dont want ACL surgery?

Without surgery, your ACL will remain torn. The knee might heal—the swelling and pain will stop. But a torn anterior cruciate ligament does not reattach or heal itself.

ACL tear treatment - Is it possible to avoid surgery and further knee damage?

Can you live with a torn ACL without surgery?

Very minor tears (sprains) may heal with non-surgical treatments and regenerative medicine therapy. But full ACL tears cannot be healed without surgery. If your activities do not involve making pivoting movements on the knee, physical therapy rehabilitation may be all you need.

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.

Will walking on a torn ACL make it worse?

Your knee is less stable with a torn ACL, and it will affect your gait as well as how your knee moves and bears the weight of your body. Walking on a torn ACL can cause additional damage to your knee, such as tears to the cartilage of the knee and worsening the ACL tear.

Is ACL reconstruction worth it?

ACL reconstruction is generally recommended if: You're an athlete and want to continue in your sport, especially if the sport involves jumping, cutting or pivoting. More than one ligament is injured. You have a torn meniscus that requires repair.

Do all ACL tears require surgery?

While complete ACL tears almost always require surgery, partial ACL tears may be treated effectively with nonsurgical methods. ACL tears are graded by severity and are called sprains (a sprain is a stretch or tear in a ligament). A grade 1 ACL sprain occurs when your ACL is overstretched, but not torn.

How can I fix my ACL naturally?

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).

How long does it take to rehab a torn ACL without surgery?

Non-surgical Treatment

The recovery time is shorter when using rehabilitation and will need to be monitored by your orthopedist. The time it takes to recover is approximately 3 months.

Is it okay to live with a torn ACL?

Can I live a normal life with an ACL tear? Yes, but it may take some time before you're completely back to how you were before the injury. Whether you choose to have surgery or not, with physical therapy you will eventually be back to normal and able to live your life.

Can a slightly torn ACL heal?

The ACL cannot heal on its own because there is no blood supply to this ligament. Surgery is usually required for athletes because the ACL is needed in order to safely perform the sharp movements that are required in sports.

How urgent is ACL surgery?

How soon can I have surgery for a torn ACL? Often the best time to have reconstructive surgery is immediately after the injury. This is before muscle wasting and knee stiffness has occurred. This will result in the fastest recovery.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL reconstruction?

In some patients, their knee is not the same. In some patients, ten years later their knee is not the same. Some people do very well with ACL reconstruction surgery, some do very well with second or revision ACL surgery. Some do well with the third ACL reconstruction/revision surgery.

Can you walk straight after ACL reconstruction?

It's important to start walking within a day or two after ACL surgery, but only a little. Walking for a minute or two can help reduce swelling, but you shouldn't walk any more than that. After two weeks, you can start walking around unassisted without crutches for short periods of time.

What to do while waiting for ACL surgery?

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.

How painful is a torn ACL?

Moderate-to-severe pain is very common. Initially, the pain is sharp and then becomes more of an ache or throbbing sensation as the knee swells. Since the ACL is the major knee stabilizer, an injury to it will cause the knee to give out or buckle when a person tries to walk or change direction.

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.

How much does ACL surgery cost?

If you have health insurance, it will cost you $800 to $3,000. This cost includes hospital admission fees, post-surgical visits to the doctor, and other expenses that may come along. However, the rest is covered by the insurance company. People without medical coverage have to part with a lot of money.

Can a torn ACL heal with physical therapy?

An ACL tear won't heal on its own, and while some people can live with the injury, most people have surgery to repair the damage. Either way, you'll need physical therapy to help you regain strength, range of motion and stability.”

What happens if ACL injury is not treated?

Untreated ACL injuries accelerate the development of osteoarthritis. Without proper support from the ACL, the articular cartilage starts to break down at a more rapid pace than normal. Following your knee injury, bleeding can occur inside the joint. You may or may not have signs alerting you to the problem.