Can you play sports with a torn ACL? Does an ACL Tear Require Surgery?

Tearing your ACL is never fun. The good news is that after we repair it surgically, you can return from the injury and pick right back up where you left off.

The bad news is, with a torn ACL, you probably want to shut your season down, have surgery, and come back strong next year.

But doc, you may be saying, I've heard it's possible to play sports with a torn ACL. Well, you are right. It is possible. But it's not advisable. Why? For several reasons. Let's go over them here today.

1. The ACL Does Not Heal on It's Own and Does Require Surgery

A fully torn ACL will not heal on it's own. Although we have great skill and efficiency in repairing the ACL, it's going to require surgery. No amount of rest and relaxation will restore the ligament. It won't regenerate by itself. Sorry!

2. A Torn ACL Exposes the Meniscus to Damage

The meniscus is the "cushion cartilage" of our knee. When the ACL is torn, this cartilage is exposed to possible damage. This is why we often see an ACL tear and a torn meniscus occur simultaneously.

Once the meniscus is damaged, it's difficult to repair. And a damaged meniscus opens us up to factor #3...

3. Meniscus Damage Can Lead to Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Here we arrive at the crux of the matter. Not fixing your ACL (playing sports with a torn ACL) opens the meniscus up to damage. You lose the "shock absorber" of you knee when this happens.

The result is a much higher chance of arthritis. Arthritis is something you just don't want to have to deal with. It compromises your quality of life and severely hampers you in doing the sports of your choice.

Can You Play Sports with a Torn ACL? Yes! But don't.

Unless you are about to compete in the Olympics and you have a chance to win, my advice to you is to shut it down and get your ACL fixed. Don't try to continue to compete on a torn ACL. You are just risking the overall longevity of your body. Get it fixed and get back in the game next year!