ACL tear – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

by admin-blog-kh | September 18, 2017 10:47 am

The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament:-

* Runs diagonally in the middle of the knee
* Prevents the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur
* Provides rotational stability to the knee

Causes of ACL tear

• Injury to side of knee(ex: football tackle)
• Overextending knee joint
• Changing direction abruptly while running
• Landing from a jump
• Sudden turning
(Note: Basketball, football, soccer, and skiing are common sports linked to ACL tears)

Also Read: Knee Injuries: Common Knee Injuries and Treatment[1]

Symptoms

• Knee makes audible pop when extending
• Swelling around the knee joint
• Pain when putting weight on injured leg

Immediate First Aid

• Rest with foot elevated
• Apply ice on the affected area
• Pain medication
• Don’t put weight on the leg (use a crutch)

Treatment – ACL reconstruction surgery

* Surgeon removes damaged ligament
* Replaces it with a segment of tendon (grafting)
* Graft serves as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue can grow

Rehabilitation

• Physiotherapy[2]
• Pain medication
• Brace to stabilize knee
• Crutches to avoid putting weight on your knee.

Prevention of ACL tear

• Use proper techniques when playing sports
• Learn how to reduce stress placed on the ACL.
• Use of knee braces during vigorous athletic activity

Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.

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Endnotes:

Knee Injuries: Common Knee Injuries and Treatment: https://kauveryhospital.com/blog/orthopedics/knee-injuries-common-knee-injuries-and-treatment/
• Physiotherapy: https://draravindan.com/bone-joint-health/physiotherapy-treatment-in-chennai/

Source URL: https://kauveryhospital.com/blog/orthopedics/acl-tear-causes-symptoms-treatment/