Treatment for ACL Tear at Encino Orthopedics

ACL tears are one of the most common knee injuries sustained. ACL tears generally occur in conjunction with additional damage to the cartilage, the ligaments within the knee, and to the meniscus, as well. ACL is an abbreviation for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, and is one of the four primary ligaments within the knee. The ACL runs diagonal at the front of the knee and is responsible for the knee's ability to move back and forth. Another primary function of the ACL is to prevent the shinbone (tibia) from sliding in front of the thighbone (femur). Because of its critical role in the knee's structure, an ACL tear can cause serious instability in the knee and leg.

In those who have suffered an ACL tear, common symptoms include the sensation of a "pop" or a feeling of the knee "giving out." Following an ACL tear, injured patients often report swelling and stiffness, along with discomfort and weakness in the knee area. ACL tears are unlikely to heal without proper medical attention, so ignoring the signs and symptoms of an ACL tear is potentially very dangerous.

Utilizing X-rays and MRIs to get a comprehensive understanding of your ACL tear, Dr. Reisch, founder and director of Encino Orthopedics Center in Southern California will evaluate the grade of your ACL tear. When a ligament tears, they are categorized by degrees, ranging from first to third. Depending on the grade of your ACL tear, an appropriate course of treatment will be determined. In some instances, ACL tears can be treated through non-surgical methods, such as R.I.C.E, (resting, icing, compression, and elevation). In combination with proper bracing and/or medications, this non-surgical route to treating an ACL tear can alleviate your symptoms. However, some ACL tears require surgical intervention to appropriately repair the affected ligament. In certain instances, an arthroscopically-assisted ACL graft may be required to reconstruct a torn ACL.