Should i have acl surgery

The worst case scenario is a third-degree sprain, when the ligament is completely severed. ACL injuries most often happen while a person is working out or participating in some kind of sport. They usually occur when you pivot unexpectedly with your knee locked.

It is that action of taking a sudden turn on a knee that is locked firmly in place that results in a stretched or torn ligament. Other causes of torn ACLs include:. Interestingly, women are at higher risk for a torn ACL than men are. There is debate about why this is true; some experts suspect that it is because of differences in physical conditioning and muscle strength, while others believe estrogen affects the properties of ligaments.

The telltale popping sound mentioned above is usually the first sign of a torn ACL. This is followed by sharp, intense knee pain. The pain may be severe enough that you are not able to walk. Internal bleeding may cause a great deal of swelling, another reason that walking may be painful. This swelling can make it difficult, or even nearly impossible, to bend your knee. When you suspect you have a torn ACL, it is important to visit your doctor rather than simply self-diagnosing.

During a physical exam at our office, we will look at your knee for swelling and bruising. Sometimes, it may be evident that the ACL is torn because the knee looks misshapen. These tests may be uncomfortable, but they are important for us to determine the best course of treatment for your injury.

X-rays can rule out broken bones, but do not tell us anything about your ligaments, so they are not usually used unless we have reason to suspect that a bone fracture may be presenting as an ACL injury. In the past, the two primary approaches to dealing with torn ACLs were surgery and taking a wait-and-see approach. The surgeon drills small holes into the upper and lower leg bones where these bones come close together at the knee joint. The holes form tunnels through which the graft will be anchored.

If you are using your own tissue, the surgeon will make another incision in the knee and take the graft replacement tissue. The graft is pulled through the tunnels that were drilled in the upper and lower leg bones. The surgeon secures the graft with hardware such as screws or staples and will close the incisions with stitches or tape. The knee is bandaged, and you are taken to the recovery room for 2 to 3 hours. During ACL surgery, the surgeon may repair other injured parts of the knee as well, such as menisci , other knee ligaments , cartilage , or broken bones.

Arthroscopic surgery is often done on an outpatient basis, which means that you do not spend a night in the hospital. Other surgery may require staying in the hospital for a couple of days. You will feel tired for several days. Your knee will be swollen, and you may have numbness around the cut incision on your knee.

Your ankle and shin may be bruised or swollen. You can put ice on the area to reduce swelling. Most of this will go away in a few days, and you should soon start seeing improvement in your knee. To care for your incision while it heals, you need to keep it clean and dry and watch for signs of infection.

Physical rehabilitation after ACL surgery may take several months to a year. The length of time until you can return to normal activities or sports is different for every person.

It takes most people at least 6 months to return to activity after surgery. The goal of ACL surgery is to restore normal or almost normal stability in the knee and the level of function you had before the knee injury, limit loss of function in the knee, and prevent injury or degeneration to other knee structures.

Not all ACL tears require surgery. You and your doctor will decide whether rehabilitation rehab only or surgery plus rehab is right for you. You may choose not to have surgery if you:. A few people who have ACL surgery still have knee pain and instability and may need another surgery revision ACL reconstruction. ACL reconstruction surgery is generally safe.

Complications that may arise from surgery or during rehabilitation rehab and recovery include:. Blahd Jr. Fu MD - Orthopedic Surgery. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: William H. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. ACL surgery has few risks. Risks and problems that can occur during rehab and recovery include: Loss of motion in the knee joint. Grating or grinding of the kneecap. Pain and swelling during daily activities or sports. Compare your options.

Depending on the type of ACL surgery you have, you may go home the same day or spend a few days in the hospital. You will do physical rehabilitation for several months to a year.

Your rehab will continue until your knee is stable and strong. It takes most people at least 6 months to return to activity after surgery. Surgery with rehabilitation offers the best chance for making your knee stable again. Most people will regain enough strength and range of motion to return to their usual activities. All surgery has risks, including bleeding, infection, and nerve damage. Your age and your health also affect your risk. Other risks of surgery or problems that occur after surgery include: Loss of motion to the knee joint.

Grating grinding of the kneecap. Try rest, exercise, and rehabilitation Try rest, exercise, and rehabilitation You rest and reduce activity. Your doctor may suggest that you use crutches or a splint. You use ice for swelling. You wrap your knee with an elastic bandage and keep it propped up on a pillow when you sit or lie down. You take anti-inflammatory medicines for pain. You do physical rehabilitation until your knee is stable. Rest and rehab may be enough to heal your injury or at least make it stable enough so that you can do some activities.

If you decide to have surgery later, you will be in better condition for it because of your rehab program. You avoid the risks of surgery. You won't be able to keep doing activities that caused your injury.

You may not regain full use of your knee. Personal stories about having surgery for an ACL injury These stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers.

What matters most to you? Reasons to choose ACL surgery Reasons to choose rest, exercise, and physical rehabilitation. I need a healthy knee for work. My work does not depend on my having a healthy knee. I'm active and involved in sports, so I need a healthy knee. I'm not that active or involved in sports. I accept the risks of surgery.

I don't want to have surgery for any reason. I can commit to a long rehabilitation program after surgery. My other important reasons: My other important reasons:. Where are you leaning now? ACL surgery Rest, exercise, and physical rehab. What else do you need to make your decision? Check the facts. Yes Sorry, that's not right. Surgery with physical rehabilitation offers the best chance to have a stable knee and an active lifestyle.

No You are right. I'm not sure It may help to go back and read "Get the Facts. Yes You are right. If you're willing to do several months of rehab first, you might want to try it before surgery. No Sorry, that's not right. Decide what's next. Yes No. I'm ready to take action. I want to discuss the options with others. I want to learn more about my options.

Your Summary. Your decision Next steps. Your knowledge of the facts Key concepts that you understood. Key concepts that may need review. Getting ready to act Patient choices.