ACL Injury
Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve jumping or quick stopping? If so, you may be at risk of injuring your anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. An ACL tear is one of the most common injuries suffered by athletes. ACL injury specialist, Dr. Nikhil Verma provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Chicago who have suffered an ACL injury. Contact Dr. Verma’s team today!
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury (ACL Injury) Overview
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major knee ligaments, and is considered the main stabilizing ligament. The ACL is responsible for providing proper movement of the joint and preventing slippage that creates an unstable knee. An ACL injury is quite common, most frequently seen in athletes and active individuals. An ACL injury can range from a small sprain to a complete ACL tear. Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois area knee specialist, Dr. Nikhil Verma treats numerous symptoms of an ACL injury with non-surgical and surgical approaches.
Treatment of an ACL Injury
Not all injuries to the ACL require surgery. The severity and symptoms of the ACL injury determine treatment. An injury to the ACL is typically diagnosed as a complete or partial tear. In many cases complete injuries require surgery to restore stability to the knee. However, in some patients taking into consideration age and activity level, non-operative management including bracing and physical therapy may be appropriate. Partial tears may be considered for surgery or non-operative treatment based on the activity demands of the patients and stability of the knee.
Non-Surgical
If an ACL injury does not include knee instability or a severe ACL tear, a combination of ice, heat, rest, elevation, physical therapy, bracing and modified activity may be recommended by Dr. Verma. Success of non-operative treatment is based on patient ability to return to recreational activities and any recurrent symptoms of knee instability or giving-way.
Surgical
A more severe ACL tear or injury may require surgery to restore normal knee function and range of motion. An arthroscopic knee reconstruction is the treatment choice in many cases. This procedure involves removing fragments of the damaged ACL and replacing it with another form of soft tissue, called a graft. Graft options include taking your own tissue, most commonly from the patellar tendon and hamstrings. Advantages of using your own tissue include decreased risk of re-rupture and better incorporation by the body. In some cases, an allograft, or donor tendon, may be recommended. The main advantage of allograft tissue is lower surgical morbidity and faster initial recovery as no tissue is harvested from the patients knee in order to reconstruct the ACL. However some studies have suggested higher risk of re-rupture associated with allograft use, particularly in younger patients.
Rehabilitation
Following ACL surgery, initial goals of surgery are to reduce swelling and restore motion. Patients are generally able to bear weight in a brace immediately after surgery. Return to work or school is usually possible at 5-10 days after surgery. Formal physical therapy is initiated at approximately five days after surgery. In general, patients are able to initiate an exercise bike by 4-6 weeks, light jogging with progression to return by 12-14 weeks. Return to sports is anticipated at 5-8 months following surgery based on individual progress.
For more information on the treatment of an ACL injury, please contact the orthopedic office of Dr. Nikhil Verma, knee specialist treating patients living in the communities of Chicago, Westchester, Oak Brook and Hinsdale, Illinois.
