Question 1

is a acl sprain the same as a acl tear? unable to straighten the knee. large knee joint effusion. please help in a lot of pain. thanks.

Accepted Answer

No: A full tear is different than a sprain.  A sprain can heal whereas the tear will not and the body tries to compensate.  The effusion is due to the initial injury that caused this in the first place.  The not being able to straighten the knee part is the most concerning...I guess it happened very recently :( Consider ER or bracing at the moment.  Schedule to see an orthopedist.

Question 2

is it possible to have an acl tear and a functional knee?

Accepted Answer

ACL deficiency : Without acl reconstruction you can expect instability particularly with decending stairs or turning quickly from side to side. Long term acl deficiency ultimately will end up with severe osteoarthritis in 15-20 years. In the interim, meniscus tears (cartilage"shock absorbers" in the knee) are more likely.

Question 3

is surgery is required for knee ligament(acl)tear?

Accepted Answer

Mostly yes: To regain full function, surgery is the definitive choice.

Question 4

after i get a knee surgery(acl tear), will i still grow? or will it stunt my growth?

Accepted Answer

Usually ok: While ACL surgery can cross the growth plate and cause premature closure and "stunted" growth, this complication is unusual especially if the doctor uses a soft tissue graft like hamstrings

Question 5

is it possible to tear your acl when resetting a dislocated knee? or is it more likely the acl tear happened with the original injury?

Accepted Answer

: More likely latter.

Question 6

is it possible i have acl tear? felt sharp pain and give in knee after pivots. lunges hurt it too. now pain back of knee, swells. hurts to straighten.

Accepted Answer

Need more info: Without a physical examination it is. Dry difficult to diagnos an ACL tear.

Question 7

my son had blood drained from his knee yesterday due to possible acl tear on wednesday.  his knee is now the same size it was yesterday being drained.?

Accepted Answer

Acl: This is not unusual. The acl tear can bleed over a few days. Keep some ice on the knee and get it re evaluated in a few days.

Question 8

if i have an acl tear in my knee, can i go skiing or will it make my knee worse? thank you very much in advance

Accepted Answer

May not work: with an ACL tear and no brace you will likely have trouble skiing. Even with an ACL brace you may not do well but it's worth a try. At your young age if you want to continue to ski I would recommend surgery. Good luck.

Question 9

knee injury wrestling, week later no pain bit of instability, can walk fine, coach thinks 2-3 grade acl tear could that be possible without much pain?

Accepted Answer

Yes for sure!: Believe it or not, after a person tears their ACL most all the pain can resolve between 1 to 4 weeks. The initial pain is from the ACL tearing and bleeding into the knee in addition to bone bruises that occur. These all cause initial pain, but as the swelling resides and the bone bruises resolve, a knee with a torn ACL can essentially be painless.  This is why some people put it off ......Mistake!

Question 10

i was in ballet and holding onto the barre while my foot was facing straight, i slowly turned my knee inwards and it "popped" acl tear?

Accepted Answer

Unknown: An acl tear would usually occur with more stress put on the ligament than as described by your scenario, but it can not be ruled out either.  With any knee pain and a pop, you need to get an evaluation and imaging testing ordered.  Best wishes.

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Doctor answers about:

Knee sprain vs acl tear

A member asked:

Is a acl sprain the same as a acl tear? unable to straighten the knee. large knee joint effusion. please help in a lot of pain. thanks.

A member asked:

Is it possible to have an acl tear and a functional knee?

A member asked:

Is surgery is required for knee ligament(acl)tear?

A member asked:

After i get a knee surgery(acl tear), will i still grow? or will it stunt my growth?

A member asked:

Is it possible to tear your acl when resetting a dislocated knee? or is it more likely the acl tear happened with the original injury?

A member asked:

Is it possible i have acl tear? felt sharp pain and give in knee after pivots. lunges hurt it too. now pain back of knee, swells. hurts to straighten.

A member asked:

My son had blood drained from his knee yesterday due to possible acl tear on wednesday. his knee is now the same size it was yesterday being drained.?

A member asked:

If i have an acl tear in my knee, can i go skiing or will it make my knee worse? thank you very much in advance

A member asked:

Knee injury wrestling, week later no pain bit of instability, can walk fine, coach thinks 2-3 grade acl tear could that be possible without much pain?

A member asked:

I was in ballet and holding onto the barre while my foot was facing straight, i slowly turned my knee inwards and it "popped" acl tear?

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