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How do you treat a sprained ACL?
Treatment
- Rest. General rest is necessary for healing and limits weight bearing on your knee.
- Ice. When you’re awake, try to ice your knee at least every two hours for 20 minutes at a time.
- Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage or compression wrap around your knee.
- Elevation.
Can you walk with a sprained ACL?
Can you walk with a torn ACL? The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line.
How long does an ACL sprain last?
It may take six to nine months to return to normal activity after an ACL injury.
How can I tell if I sprained my ACL?
Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury usually include:
- A loud “popping” in the knee.
- Severe pain.
- Rapid swelling.
- Loss of range of motion.
- Knee instability where the knee feels like it will buckle and cannot support the weight.
Can an ACL sprain heal itself?
The ACL cannot heal on its own because there is no blood supply to this ligament. Surgery is usually required for athletes because the ACL is needed in order to safely perform the sharp movements that are required in sports.
Will a sprained ACL heal?
partial tears and healing. Full ACL tears cannot heal on their own. These tears almost always need to be treated surgically, typically using a minimally invasive approach called arthroscopy.
Where is ACL pain located?
You will likely feel pain in the center of your knee during an ACL tear. Because the MCL is located on the side of your knee, the pain and swelling will be located on the inside of the knee structure rather than the middle.
What is the fastest way to heal a sprained knee?
Continued
- Ice your knee for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours to lessen the pain and swelling.
- Compress your knee.
- Raise your knee on a pillow when you’re sitting or lying down.
- Wear a knee brace to stabilize the knee and protect it from further injury.
- Take anti-inflammatory painkillers.
How bad is a sprained ACL?
Because of this, ACL injuries can be painful and debilitating. There is a risk for an ACL injury in activities involving jumping and landing, sudden stops, or changes in direction (like in football and soccer). Many patients noted that they remember hearing or feeling a “pop” in their knee at the time of the injury.
Which is worse ACL or MCL?
While not always the case, an ACL tear is in most cases going to be the more severe injury. It is considered worse than tearing the MCL because ACL tears are in general more complex to treat and require a longer recovery time after surgery.
How do I know if my knee is sprained or torn?
What are the symptoms of a knee sprain?
- Pain around the affected area.
- Swelling around the sprained section of the knee.
- Knee instability, leading to your knee buckling under the pressure of your weight.
- Bruising, moderate to severe, depending on the sprain.
- A popping sound when the injury occurs.
What is a Grade 1 ACL sprain?
A grade 1 ACL sprain occurs when your ACL is overstretched, but not torn. If your knee is still stable, you likely have a grade 1 injury and may not need surgery. A grade 2 ACL sprain is a partial tear. If you have a grade two sprain, your ligament is damaged and you’ll likely experiences some instability.
How long does ACL tear surgery recovery take?
The ACL recovery process is long in order to limit your risk of reinjury and to give you the best chance of returning to your chosen sport. Most athletes will require 6-8 months of hard work with a physical therapist and/or athletic trainer. Some athletes might need more than 12 months to recover from ACL surgery.
What is the recovery time for a knee sprain?
Sprained knee recovery time. A knee sprain is considered healed when there’s no more pain or swelling, and you can move your knee freely. Many grade 1 and 2 knee sprains heal within two to four weeks. People who need surgery, however, may take as long as four to six months to recover.
What does it feel like to tear your ACL?
Most people who tear their ACL feel pain and a “pop” in their knee when the injury happens. Their knee usually gets swollen soon after the injury. After the swelling goes down, someone with an ACL tear usually can walk. But the knee may feel unstable and can “give way” and make the person stumble or fall.
When does a partial ACL tear require surgery?
Treatment of an ACL tear is most dependent on how much knee instability is caused by the injury. Therefore, there is no critical cutoff in terms of how much of the ACL is torn. Most surgeons base a decision on how much instability the injury has caused. If the knee is unstable, then surgery is recommended.