What is the treatment for anterior cruciate ligament (acl) injury?

Mostly surgery: Most patients will elect to have surgery to "fix" their acl while some people will try physical therapy and bracing first. Surgery involves reconstructing the ligament with a graft. Sewing the ligament back together does not work. Bone tunnels are made and the graft in strung through the tunnels to mimic the original acl. Over time, the graft heals in. There are many graft options.

Typically surgery: When you tear an acl, a person often feels as though the knee went the wrong way. It is usually a non-contact injury. The knee will swell. Later after recovery from the pain and swelling of this first injury, the knee often feels great. The symptoms then are of recurring instability like you don't trust the knee or it gives out. So the symptoms actually change with time. Surgery is usually the tx.

Most choose surgery: Sugical reconstruction is the most common treatment, although some will elect to only treat with physical thearpy. When pursuing surgery there are many graft options, but despite which one the surgeon may use the procedure includes putting tunnels in the bones of the knee and threading the graft through to replace the original ligament. Trying to reconnect the ends of the original lig doesn't work.

Surgery.: Usually surgery is recommended to make the knee stable again. At age 45, if you choose not to be physically active, you can get by without surgery. Please consult an orthopedic sports medicine knee specialist.