ACL INJURIES IN KNEE: Treatment Options and Myths of Recovery

Written by Dr. Charan Phayade

Dr. Charan Phayade is a Consultant Sports Surgeon at Goa Medical College, specializing in knee injuries and sports medicine. With extensive training from prestigious institutions in the UK and membership in the Knee Surgeons of India, Dr. Phayade brings expert insights into the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of ACL injuries. In this article, he shares his expertise to help patients understand their options and dispel common myths about ACL recovery.

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🔍 What Is an ACL Injury?

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the key stabilizers inside the knee joint, along with the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL). These ligaments ensure joint stability during activities like running, jumping, squatting, or abrupt direction changes.

• ACL injuries often occur due to twisting falls, particularly in sports like football.
  
• PCL injuries usually result from more severe trauma, like road accidents.
  

🩺 Common Symptoms

• Instability or a “give way” sensation in the knee
  
• Pain and swelling, especially during movement
  
• Buckling or locking (if accompanied by meniscal injury)
  
• Clicking noises in severe cases
  

🧪 Diagnosis & Investigations

A suspected ACL injury is initially diagnosed through clinical examination and later confirmed using MRI scanning to assess the extent of damage.

💡 Treatment Options: Conservative vs Surgical

• Surgical: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction (keyhole surgery) is recommended for:
  
  • Complete tears
    
  • Younger patients
    
  • Individuals involved in high-demand sports
    
• Conservative: Partial or low-grade tears in low-activity individuals can be managed with:
  
  • Physiotherapy
    
  • Knee braces
    
  • Strengthening exercises
    

Dr. Phayade notes that treatment is highly patient-specific and should be tailored to the individual’s activity level, age, and degree of tear.

🏃‍♂️ Rehabilitation: What to Expect Post Surgery

After robust fixation using the patient’s own hamstring tendons or BTB graft, recovery milestones include:

• Day 1: Start walking with a brace
  
• 2 weeks: Begin gym cycling, swimming
  
• 3 months: Resume running
  
• 3–4 months: Begin squatting
  
• 6–8 months: Most patients can return to sports
  

❗ Busting the Myths:

• Myth: ACL surgery means long-term immobility
  Fact: You begin walking the next day with a brace!
  
• Myth: Recovery always takes a year
  Fact: Many return to sport in 6–8 months with proper rehab
  
• Myth: All ACL tears need surgery
  Fact: Partial tears may not, especially in non-athletes