The ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is the tissue in the knee joint that connects the femur to the tibia. It is one of four major knee ligaments that provide stability and support to the joint as it bends, twists, and flexes. These ligaments are all susceptible to injury, but ACL tears are especially prevalent in athletes and active individuals. 

Here’s how to recognize the symptoms of a tear in the ACL and your treatment options for this injury.

Symptoms of a Torn ACL

An ACL tear can be either complete or partial. This injury often occurs during activities that put stress on the knee, such as:

• Cutting 

• Pivoting

• Coming to a sudden stop

• Landing badly after a jump

These motions are typical in certain sports like soccer, skiing, and football. However, the ACL can also tear due to a traumatic impact, such as a car crash or being tackled. Other people tear their ACL due to the ligament becoming weakened after long periods of activity without proper consideration for rest and recovery. 

When individuals tear their ACL, they often report hearing a popping sound. This is immediately followed by the following symptoms:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Instability

• Inability to bear weight

• Reduced range of motion in the joint

While people of all genders and ages can experience a torn ACL, active females are more likely to tear their ACL due to their biomechanics. Learn more here!

Treating a Tear in the ACL

After a knee injury, it’s essential to stay off the leg and seek immediate medical attention. At his practice with Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Sterett and his team will diagnose your injury, determine the severity of your ACL, and design the best possible treatment plan for you and your lifestyle.  

There are two surgical options to repair or replace the torn ACL:

1. Autograft: The patient’s tissue is used to reconstruct the ACL. 

2. Allograft: Donated tissue is used to reconstruct the ACL. 

Recovery from this surgery is usually faster and less painful, but Dr. Sterett does see a higher re-tear rate in his younger allograft patients — especially active females. 

When harvesting the patient’s tissue in an autograft, tissue can be taken from the following tendons:

• Hamstring

• Quadriceps

• Patella 

All these autograft harvest sights have pros and cons, and one ACL graft does not fit all. Click here to learn more about which ACL graft is right for you. 

Sometimes, if the tear in the ACL is less severe, surgery is not always necessary. That does, however, run the risk of creating additional orthopaedic issues later in life (such as osteoarthritis). 

Tear in the ACL? Contact Team Sterett Today!

If you are experiencing knee pain after an injury or want to explore your ACL treatment options, contact Dr. Sterett today! He and his team of orthopaedic knee experts will work with you to design a treatment plan that gets you back to the activities you love.

Schedule your appointment by calling (970) 476-7220 or via Team Sterett’s online contact form.