ACL Tear : ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a strong band of tissue inside your knee joint which provides translatory and rotatory stability to the joint. ACL tear is a very common sports injury, occurring due to twisting or sudden change in direction of knee.
SYMPTOMS
Patient may hear a pop or give away feel when ACL injury occurs. Patient complains of Instability, decreased confidence or pain in knee joint on weight bearing. Clinical tests show signs of instability.
INVESTIGATIONS
X- Ray: – X- Ray of knee joint should be done to rule out any bony fracture/ avulsion of ACL attachment.
MRI:- MRI is the investigation of choice to look for degree of ACL tear and associated injuries like cartilage damage/meniscus tear.
Treatment:- Follow the RICE model immediately after Injury to decrease swelling and pain
Rest
Ice
Compression
Elevation
Your doctor will prescribe analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs
Treatment
Once acute stage is over, treatment depends on age, symptoms and activity level.
Physcial Therapy :-
Patients with relatively low demand activities and lesser symptoms are managed with exercises to strength the muscles and increase range of motion.
Surgery:
Your doctor may prescribe you surgery depending on various factors.
Age:
Although there is no cut off age but surgery is generally not done after 50 -55 years of age.
Activity Level:
Athletes, sportsmen and people with high activity level are candidates for surgery
Symptoms
If you have frank symptoms/signs of instability or not responding to physical therapy ,surgical intervention is better.
Once surgery is decided, Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is done. Arthroscopy (Key-hole surgery) is minimally invasive with less pain, less bleeding , minimal tissue damage and early return to activity.