The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize the knee. When it’s working well, you might never think about how important it is. But if you ever hurt your ACL, you’ll realize how much you rely on this ligament to help you move comfortably and confidently.
A torn ACL is a serious but treatable knee ligament injury, so it’s important to seek medical care if you tear your ACL to ensure that you recover properly. Knowing the symptoms will help you recognize the injury. Keep reading to learn about six symptoms to watch for and when to see a doctor for a torn ACL.
A torn ACL can feel different to each person, but most people feel pain in the knee
Ligaments are bands of tissue that connect bone to bone, and they’re an important part of your joint and provide stability to the area. The ACL is a ligament in the middle of the knee – it keeps the thigh bone and shin bone aligned. An ACL tear is typically caused by sharp twisting motions, like if your knee turns in a different direction than your feet.
In most cases, you’ll notice if you tear your ACL. While a torn ACL can feel a little different to everyone, most people hear or feel a “pop” in their knee along with pain and instability. This may initially make it difficult to walk or limit your knee’s range of motion.
6 symptoms of a torn ACL
Although everyone may experience an ACL tear differently, there are certain symptoms to watch for. If you’ve torn your ACL, you’ll experience at least one of these symptoms, but many people experience a combination of them. You might have torn your ACL if you experience:
- Knee pain – Knee pain from an ACL tear can be moderate or so severe that you’re unable to continue physical activity.
- Popping sound after the injury – Many people hear a loud “pop” noise after their ACL tears. You might also feel a popping sensation in or near the knee after a ligament injury.
- Knee giving out – After an ACL tear, your knee might not be able to support your weight, or you might notice that your knee feels unsteady.
- Swelling of the knee – The knee and surrounding area will quickly become swollen after tearing the ACL.
- Loss of range of motion – A torn ACL may limit the flexibility and function of your knee.
- Instability or discomfort while walking – Knee pain or instability after an ACL tear may make it difficult to walk.
Walking with a torn ACL
Most people can walk with a torn ACL, but it may be difficult or painful. Some people need to use crutches to help them walk.
Even though you’ll likely be able to walk after your injury, you may notice differences in how confident and comfortable you feel. The injury damages the ligament, which limits your range of motion and can cause instability. Some people may feel unstable on their feet after an ACL tear, while others might not notice instability until they try to run or do other more strenuous activity.
A torn ACL will not heal on its own
In most cases, when the ACL is torn, the blood supply to the ligament is cut off. This means that an ACL won’t heal on its own after a tear. Physical therapists and orthopedic doctors have special training in caring for knee ligament injuries. They’ll guide you toward the best type of treatment for your injury.
There are several different treatments that can help you recover, and what will be most effective depends on the severity of your injury. In many cases, physical therapy is a recommended treatment for a torn ACL. During physical therapy, you’ll do exercises that improve range of motion, strength and balance. Athletes may need to work with a sports medicine doctor or participate in a specialty care program if they want to get back to peak performance after an ACL tear.
If nonsurgical treatment doesn’t help you recover, your doctor might recommend surgery to fix your ACL tear. ACL reconstruction surgery replaces the damaged ligament with a piece of healthy tissue and is typically performed within a few weeks of the injury. Your doctor will talk with you about how the procedure will work and what to expect during recovery.
When to see a doctor for a torn ACL
As soon as you suspect you have a torn ACL, visit a doctor. At TRIA orthopedic urgent care, you can walk in for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist after an injury. We’ll give you a diagnosis and start you on a treatment plan immediately so you can begin your recovery.
If you’re recovering from a torn ACL but are struggling to regain complete function of your knee, meeting with a physical therapist or sports medicine doctor can help. They use specific exercises and other treatments to strengthen your knee and help you regain function so you can move with confidence again.
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