Should I avoid ACL surgery?

There are obvious risks associated with having surgery – e.g. risk of infection or graft failure, that are avoided if you can manage your ACL injury without surgery. The rehabilitation period without surgery is quicker – usually about 3 months to return to sport.

Is it OK not to have ACL surgery?

If your knee feels stable and you do not have an active lifestyle, you may decide not to have ACL surgery. But delaying surgery could cause further damage to your knee, if it gives way or becomes unstable.

Should or should not get ACL surgery?

If your knee is unstable, surgery is usually recommended. If your knee is stable, nonsurgical options may suffice. Other determining factors include: Return to activities: If you must return to sports or other activities that require pivoting or sharp movements, ACL reconstruction surgery is usually recommended.

Why avoid ACL surgery?

A few people will still have knee pain and instability. All surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. Your age and your health also affect your risk.

What happens if I don't do 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 I live without ACL surgery?

It is possible to go through life without an ACL. Eventually, scar tissue builds and will contribute to some knee stability. However, it is not the same stability that an ACL provides. Whether or not you are a physically active individual or casually active, it is possible to maintain your quality of life successfully.

Can you live with a torn ACL 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 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.

Is it better to wait for ACL surgery?

When ACL reconstruction is performed too soon, patients are far less likely to return to competitive sport and are at significantly greater risk for anterior knee pain, arthrofibrosis and persistent weakness (1,2). “Appropriate timing of surgery is important for a full recovery after ACL reconstruction,” says K.

How long can I delay ACL surgery?

A delay of more than six months increases the risk of further damage and degeneration of the involved knee.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL surgery?

This means that an ACL reconstruction surgery can get your knee to very close to perfectly healthy, but it will still never be quite as healthy as it was before the actual injury.

Is ACL surgery high risk?

And while modern, minimally invasive surgical repairs of the ACL do a good job restoring control of these movements, the risk of re-tear remains higher than we would like, Dr. Gardner explains. In research studies, the risk of re-tear ranges from about 2% to 20%, depending on the patients studied.

What to do while waiting for ACL surgery?

How many hours does ACL surgery take?

The surgery usually takes 2 to 2½ hours, and you won't need to stay in the hospital overnight. To do the reconstruction, the surgeon will drill bone tunnels into the tibia and the femur, remove the torn ligament, then place the ACL graft in about the same position.

How can I strengthen my ACL without surgery?

Perform stretching program daily. Cardio program is recommended 3-5 times a week for 20-40 minutes Perform strengthening/proprioception exercises 3 times a week. Perform plyometric/jumping/agility exercises 2 times a week. Perform return to sport activities as directed by physician and physical therapist.

Can a full ACL tear heal itself?

Full ACL tears cannot heal on their own. These tears almost always need to be treated surgically, typically using a minimally invasive approach called arthroscopy.

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.

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.

What not to do with torn ACL?

Don't: Walk, swim, cycle, bend and extend your knee, etc. until you're cleared to do so. You want to rehab your ACL.

What aggravates ACL injury?

Rest & Immobilization: Once an ACL injury is diagnosed it is important that the affected area be rested immediately. Any further movement or stress will only aggravate the condition and prolong recovery.

Can you walk with a Grade 3 ACL tear?

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.

What percentage of ACL surgeries fail?

Approximately 200,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures occur in the United States annually. Primary ACL reconstruction is recognized as a successful procedure, but failure has been shown to occur in approximately 10% of patients.

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.

What happens if you wait too long for ACL surgery?

If you wait too long to treat a torn ACL, you're at risk of developing chronic knee pain and knee instability. Waiting to get treatment may mean that surgery is your only option. Or you may need to cope with ongoing instability by modifying your activities and giving up intensive sports.