| ACL injuries are one of the most common knee | | | | techniques. A graft, usually from the patellar tendon |
| injuries people suffer from. Whether you injured your | | | | or hamstring, is used to replace the torn ACL. |
| ACL during contact sports or just missed a step and | | | | The procedure is commonly done on an outpatient |
| twisted your knee, there are a few treatment | | | | basis allowing you to go home on the same day. The |
| options for ACL injuries available to you. If you're | | | | knee is injected during surgery with a local anesthesia |
| suffering from an ACL injury the first thing to do is | | | | to reduce initial postop pain. At home, a continuous |
| to make an appointment with your doctor. Your | | | | passive motion (CPM) machine can be used to |
| doctor may order X-rays to determine if you suffer | | | | prevent stiffness, and a cold therapy pad can |
| from a fracture or an MRI in order to evaluate the | | | | decrease pain and swelling. |
| health of your ACL and determine the damage. | | | | Your doctor will follow-up with you on your |
| Treatment for ACL injuries is dependent on many | | | | treatment plan. Rehabilitation typically begins one |
| factors including age, activity level, associated injuries, | | | | week after surgery. The initial phase of therapy helps |
| and the desire to return to previous activities. | | | | to control pain and swelling, while restoring motion to |
| Non-operative options include physical therapy, | | | | the knee. The second phase consists of increasing |
| wearing knee braces, and activity modifications. If | | | | muscle strength. The final phase is a gradual return to |
| your injury requires surgery, a surgeon will | | | | previous activities. This generally occurs 5-8 months |
| reconstruct your injured ACL using arthroscopy | | | | after surgery. |