ACL Surgery: 5 Things Nobody Tells You

If you’ve ever played sports or even watched them, you might be familiar with ACL injuries. It is a common injury especially in people who play football, basketball and skiing. You might have seen a footballer falling to the ground mid game holding their knee, or maybe you have experienced it yourself, that is ACL tear. It is one of the injuries hated by every athlete, not just because it’s painful, but because it can bench them for months to maybe even a year. But what exactly is ACL Tear? Why it happens? And what are those 5 things which nobody tells you about it? Let’s get straight into it!

What is ACL tear?

ACL- Anterior Cruciate Ligament

The ACL is a ligament which connects the thigh bone to the shin bone, the main function of this ligament is to keep the knees stable, especially when you twist, pivot or change the directions quickly. When this ligament is stretched beyond its capacity, it results in an ACL tear.

Types of ACL tear:

1. Grade 1: Slight stretch, but the ligament is still intact.
2. Grade 2: Partial tear, a bit rare than usual but still possible.
3. Grade 3: complete tear, the ligament is fully torn and is separated into two.

Not so fun fact:

 Women are more likely to tear their ACL due to wider hips which affects the knee alignment, hormonal factors that affects ligament looseness and neuromuscular control differences.

5 things which nobody tells you about ACL Tears

1. ACL recovery is not just about the body and is also about the mind

ACL tear can have a mental toll on patients as they experience anxiety, fear of re-injury or even depression during the recovery period. That’s why comprehensive care is necessary, patient should receive more than just physical treatment. They should receive mental health support as well as patient counselling, especially for younger or athletic individuals.

2. A previous ACL tear increases your chances of another

Shocking, right? yes, that’s true, studies have shown that the patients who have torn their ACL have 15-30% higher chances of tearing it again. That’s why post recovery injury prevention training is necessary.

3. Not all ACL tears require surgery

While ACL reconstruction is common, not every patient needs it. For non-athletes, older adults and less-active people, a structured non-surgical rehab program tailored by an orthopaedic specialist can be highly effective and a surgery is not necessary.

4. Full recovery takes longer than most people expect

Recovery isn’t linear, so it is important that the patients set a realistic expectation on the recovery time. Yes, it can be frustrating when we think about it, as it does take a long time to go back to normal life and we must learn to accept it. A progressive and monitored rehab plan guided by professionals who understand long-term joint health is crucial for recovery.

5. Meniscus damage often comes along an ACL tear

Up to 50% ACL injuries also involve a damage to the meniscus (the cartilage that cushions your knee). If left untreated, this combo can accelerate early-onset arthritis. That’s why in some cases surgery is necessary.

Bonus info:

Kids and teens can tear their ACL too and the treatment is different

ACL injuries in common in young athletes but their treatment is different from that of adults. Only experienced orthopaedic surgeons must be preferred when it comes to this case as the surgeon must consider growth plates when deciding the reconstruction techniques. A specialized orthopaedic care is necessary to avoid any kind of disruption to the bone development.

Conclusion:

An ACL tear is more than just sports injury, it’s a life interrupting event which affects your mobility, confidence and overall quality of life,that’s why it’s crucial to consult an expert orthopaedic. Dr Bharani Kumar Dayanandam is the best choice as he can provide you with crucial insights into the surgery, recovery expectations, and long-term benefits. He’s an expert orthopaedic surgeon and trauma consultant with an extensive experience for over two decades.  Whether you are an athlete, an active adult or a concerned parent, the smart decision to make is to consult Dr Bharani Kumar and receive the best treatment. He combines expertise with patient-centred approach to provide effective treatment, making him a trusted choice for top quality surgery.Book your consultation with Dr Bharani Kumar and take your first step towards full recovery!