An ACL Tear Isn’t the End of a Sports Career

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments between the femur and the tibia. It provides knee stability while permitting motion and is one of the most commonly injured ligaments of the knee. An injury to the ACL may require surgery, but in many cases, nonoperative treatment can be effective as well.

Nonoperative treatment may include bracing or participating in a physical therapy, rehabilitation, or exercise program. If you suffer a partial ACL tear, these nonsurgical treatment methods can restore your knee to its pre-injured state.

However, if the ACL tear has created significant instability within your knee joint, your doctor may recommend surgery.

“During ACL reconstruction surgery, the damaged ligament is removed and replaced with a substitute graft,” explains Dr. Rajesh B. Makim, knee doctor at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron. “This surgery method is very successful in restoring full knee function and preventing future instability within the knee.”

Dr. Makim says that the timeline for returning to hobbies, sports, and other physical activity varies for each patient. You may return to normal activity when you are no longer experiencing pain or swelling in your knee, when you have achieved full range of motion, and when you have restored muscle strength within your leg. For many patients, this occurs 4-6 months following surgery.

To learn more about treatment options for ACL injuries, please call (810) 985-4900 to speak with one of the knee doctors at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron. To stay up to date on sports medicine injury treatment methods and prevention tips, “Like” Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron on Facebook.