A torn anterior cruciate ligament (Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries) is a health problem that affects the living of daily life, making movement difficult and possibly leading to other health problems in the long term, such as degeneration of the knee joint before its time. Therefore, when injury to the anterior cruciate ligament occurs, care and treatment must be received in good time, in order to prevent the condition from spreading or becoming more severe. Although surgery is the method of treatment that is often recommended, in some cases a torn anterior cruciate ligament can go without surgery, by using other methods in rehabilitation medicine to relieve the pain around the knee, which arises from the tightness of the muscles and tendons lying around it. This article will take you to become acquainted with the problem of the anterior cruciate ligament, the causes of the injury, and the choices in treatment that do not always have to be surgery.
What is the anterior cruciate ligament?
The anterior cruciate ligament (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – ACL) is one of the main ligaments of the knee. It is situated deep inside the central area of the knee joint, and has the important duty of maintaining the stability of the knee joint during movement, particularly preventing excessive twisting rotation of the knee joint. When the anterior cruciate ligament tears, the patient will often hear a sound cracking in the joint (Audible Pop), followed by swelling of the knee and bleeding inside the knee.
The causes that give rise to the problem of a torn anterior cruciate ligament
Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament can arise from many causes, most of which are usually connected with abnormal movement or with receiving a severe impact. The main causes are as follows.
Playing sport
Playing sport is the main cause of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, particularly in the kinds of sport in which there is a sudden change of direction, jumping, or collision.
- Football: a rapid change of direction, stopping abruptly, or a collision with another player
- Basketball: jumping and landing on the ground incorrectly, or a sudden change of direction
- Skiing: going down a slope in the wrong posture or falling while skiing
- Tennis and badminton: movement of the character of twisting and turning the body rapidly
- Gymnastics: landing on the ground incorrectly after a jump, or a wrong posture
Accidents
Accidents in daily life are another cause that can bring about injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, particularly accidents that cause the area of the knee to receive a severe impact, until it may cause the knee to be injured; or a sudden slip and fall may make the knee twist in the wrong posture and cause injury. Besides this, an accident that makes the knee strike or collide with a hard object forcefully may cause injury to the anterior cruciate ligament as well.
Falling down stairs
Falling down stairs is another cause that is met often in injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, because it results in weight being placed in the wrong position. When one misses a step while walking down the stairs, the knee may have to take the weight at an abnormal angle, giving rise to excessive twisting force on the anterior cruciate ligament. Moreover, falling from a high stairway may cause the knee to receive a severe impact, resulting in the anterior cruciate ligament tearing; or if the body twists or turns while falling down the stairs, it may give rise to an abnormal twisting force on the knee joint, resulting in injury to the anterior cruciate ligament.
The symptoms of a torn anterior cruciate ligament
When the anterior cruciate ligament tears, the patient will usually have the following symptoms.
- A sound cracking in the knee (Audible Pop): the patient may hear a loud sound or feel a "break" in the knee at the moment the injury occurs
- Severe knee pain: the pain usually arises immediately and is severe, so that weight cannot be taken
- Swelling: the knee will swell up rapidly, because of bleeding inside the knee joint
- Limited movement: the patient will not be able to bend or straighten the knee fully
- A feeling of instability: the knee may feel loose or unstable when one tries to stand or walk
- Walking with a limp: because of the pain and the instability of the knee, the patient will walk with a limp
- Being unable to play sport or do activities that require the use of the knee: running, jumping, or changing direction rapidly will be impossible or very difficult
When the anterior cruciate ligament is torn, is surgery necessary?
A torn anterior cruciate ligament must receive treatment, because the anterior cruciate ligament cannot repair itself. Not treating it may lead to chronic knee pain and affect movement in daily life. However, the decision to have surgery depends on many factors, such as age, the activities done, and the severity of the injury. For those who want to rehabilitate the capacity of the body so that it returns to moving normally, particularly athletes or those with activities that use the knee a great deal, arthroscopic surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament is one option, in order to prevent problems that may affect the knee joint in the long term. But a torn anterior cruciate ligament may go without surgery, though treatment must then be carried out by other methods, and it must not be left to become chronic.
The approach to the method of treating a torn anterior cruciate ligament without surgery at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic
At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic we use an approach to treatment that is holistic, considering many factors, not only surgery alone. For elderly patients who have only a single torn anterior cruciate ligament and are able to adjust the pattern of their living, when the anterior cruciate ligament is torn it may go without surgery, but it is recommended that the symptoms be relieved by taking medicine and doing physiotherapy together. In the case of a patient who is young, or who is an athlete requiring high stability of the knee, it may be necessary to receive surgery, together with other forms of physiotherapy, such as Shockwave Therapy, so that the treatment gives the best result.
The approach to preventing the problem of a torn anterior cruciate ligament from arising
Preventing injury to the anterior cruciate ligament is important, particularly for those at high risk, such as athletes or those whose work requires great use of the knee. An effective approach to prevention consists of building up the strength of the muscles of the leg, particularly the hamstring muscles; training balance and the control of movement; warming the body up suitably before exercising; and using the correct protective equipment. Besides this, training in the correct technique of playing sport, keeping the body weight suitable, and avoiding excessive and strenuous use of the knee are also important factors in reducing the risk of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament.
FAQ: frequently asked questions
For anyone who has questions about a torn anterior cruciate ligament, we have gathered the questions met most often and answered them, in order to resolve the doubts of everyone.
How many days after treatment can one exercise?
Treating a torn anterior cruciate ligament takes time, and the length of time in treatment depends on many factors, both the age of the patient, the severity, and self-care. Therefore how many days after treatment one can exercise differs in each patient, but in general about 1 year after the surgery one will be able to return to playing sport.
After treatment, does it heal completely?
Treating an inflamed anterior cruciate ligament so that it heals completely takes about 1 year, but however that may be, the length of time will also differ, depending on age and on self-care as well.