ACL Tears
ACL Tear
ACL tears are common in sports lovers and people who tend to indulge in a lot of physical strain. If you or your loved ones have injured their ACL, the doctors at Saqsham Ortho would help them recover effectively via ACL tear surgery. Our ACL tear treatment is safe, effective, and involves the use of modern equipment.
What Is An ACL Injury?
An ACL injury refers to a sprain or tear in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the body. This ligament is one of the strongest tissue bands that connect your thigh bone to your shinbone. If there is an excessive or sudden strain on your ACL, it may result in its tearing, making you seek ACL tear treatment.
ACL tear commonly occurs while playing a sport, exercising in the gym, making sudden stops/changes in direction, or sudden jumping and hard landing. When ACL tears, people often hear a “pop” or feel a popping sensation near their shins. This often leads to the knee getting swollen and unstable along with severe pain. People suffering from an ACL tear often feel that their knees are finding it too difficult to bear any weight, making walking extremely difficult.
Depending on the severity of the issue, your ACL tear surgery may differ. While minor damages can be cured with proper rest and rehabilitation, the more serious issues require surgeries for replacing the torn ligament.
Types Of ACL Tears
There are three major types of ACL tears depending on the severity of the issue and are divided into three grades. The ACL Tear treatment for each grade is different and depends on how serious the problem is.
Grade 1
This is the least serious ACL injury that doesn’t involve tearing of the ligament. Here, the ligament of the patient is stretched or sprained, causing pain and discomfort. The ligament at this grade is still capable of keeping the knee joint stable.
Grade 2
This is a moderate ACL injury that involves a partial tear of the ligament. Here, extreme stretching of the patient’s ligament makes it lose instead of leading to a complete tear. At this grade, the ligament is not capable of providing complete stability to the knee joint.
Grade 3
This is the worse and the most severe ACL injury that involves a near-complete or complete tear of the ligament. Here, the ligament is often torn into two pieces, being completely incapable of supporting the knee joint. Unfortunately, this is the most common type of ACL injury and requires immediate ACL tear treatment.
Causes Of ACL Tear
Here are some of the major causes of an ACL tear that may require medical attention:
- Abruptly slowing down and changing direction while running
- Pivoting your firmly planted foot
- Landing in a painfully awkward position after a jump putting all your body weight on your knees
- Stopping suddenly while running
- Receiving a direct and strong blow on your knee
- Sudden collision while running (common while playing a sport like football)
- Falling off a ladder and stretching your ACL
Symptoms Of ALC Tear
Some of the most common symptoms of ACL tear include:
- A “popping” sensation in your knee (or a popping sound)
- Severe pain in the knee
- Rapid swelling of the knee region
- Knee’s inability to bear any weight
- Tenderness
- Trouble walking
The degree and symptoms are different for different patients. If you experience any of these symptoms (with or without severe pain), it is advisable to seek help from an ACL injury specialist.
Common Risk Factors For ACL Tear
Here are some of the most common factors that risk ACL tear:
Gender
Females are more susceptible to an ACL tear than males due to hormonal influences and differences in anatomy.
Playing Certain Sports
Playing certain specific sports such as football, gymnastics, downhill skiing, and basketball increases the risk of an ACL tear.
Faulty Movement
Intentional or unintentional faulty movements of your body, such as bending your knees inward during squats, increase the risk of an ACL tear.
Tight Footwear
Wear footwear that is too tight may increase the risk of an ACL tear.
Diagnosis For ACL Tear
It is advisable to approach your doctor when you notice even mild symptoms of an ACL tear. The doctor would then check how bad the issue is and take your medical history into consideration. Before recommending a suitable ACL tear treatment, doctors examine the tenderness, stability, and movement of your injured knee.
Treatment For ACL Tear
ACL tear treatment depends on which grade the injury belongs to, the examination of the doctor, the age of the patient, their medical history, and many other factors. Your doctor may start with an X-ray scan and advise for an MRI scan to be double sure about the issue you have been facing.
At Saqsham Ortho, our team of skilled and experienced surgeons provides you with personalized and holistic ACL tear treatment. If you have been facing any knee-related issues, feel free to book an appointment with us.
